Tater Tot Casserole aka: Vegan Comfort Food

Special Equipment: 9x13 pan
Level of Difficulty: Baby in the sling is ok! The bigger kids can help too!

No matter how healthy we are, we all want comfort food sometimes right? If you answered no then you must not be human.....
This is my go to for a quick comfort food dinner for the family. Its easy, cheesy and delicious! And of course VEGAN! Ready?

Preparation Time:

15 minutes, Cooking time: 45-60 minutes

  

Ingredients

• 1 32oz bag Tater Tots (the sweet potato ones add a special sweet hint)
• 2-3 black bean veggie burgers (or any veggie burger you have)
• 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables

• 3/4 cup unsweetened, unflavored almond milk (or more as needed to thin out)
• 6 tbsp nutritional yeast
• 1 tbsp Earth Balance or other non-dairy buttery spread
• 1 tbsp all purpose flour (or other flour)
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In a skillet or pot, melt the vegan butter over medium heat.
3. In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the flour and milk until all clumps are gone.
4. Add milk & flour mixture and nutritional yeast to pot and whisk well. Reduce heat to low-medium.
5. Add garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper to taste and whisk frequently until the sauce thickens up, for about 5 minutes. If it’s still too thin you can add more flour to achieve the thickness you desire. (This is your cheese sauce)
6. Take your veggie burger and crumble it up and lay it on the bottom of your 9x13 pan. That is your first layer, then add the frozen veggies (2nd layer), then pour your prepared cheese sauce on top. Then lastly your tater tots. 
7. Bake uncovered for 45-60min.