Ultimate Tater Tot Nachos
These Ultimate Tater Tot Nachos are a fun and crowd-pleasing dish, perfect for game night or a casual gathering. Crispy tater tots are loaded with seasoned ground beef, melted cheese sauce, and all your favorite nacho toppings for an irresistible combination of flavors and textures.
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
- Large skillet
- Medium saucepan
- Whisk
- Spoon
- Serving platter or baking dish
- Oven
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil optional
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- ½ cup water
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Shredded lettuce
- Diced tomatoes
- Diced red onion
- Sliced black olives
- Sour cream
- Guacamol e
- Sals a
- Cilantr o
- Queso Fresco
Instructions
- Preheat your oven according to the package directions on your Tater Tots (typically around 400°F or 200°C).
- Spread the frozen Tater Tots in a single layer on a baking sheet. Toss with olive oil for extra crispiness.
- Bake for the time recommended on the package, usually around 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even browning.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess grease.
- Stir in the taco seasoning and water. Bring to a simmer and let it cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the water has evaporated and the beef is nicely seasoned.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Gradually whisk in the milk, making sure to get rid of any lumps.
- Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in the cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Arrange the baked Tater Tots on a large serving platter or baking sheet.
- Spoon the seasoned ground beef evenly over the Tater Tots.
- Generously drizzle the cheese sauce over the beef and tots.
- Sprinkle with your favorite toppings (shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced red onion, sliced black olives, jalapeños, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, cilantro, queso fresco).
- Serve immediately.
Notes
For extra crispy tots, don't overcrowd the baking sheet. If your cheese sauce is too thick, add a little more milk. If it's too thin, simmer it for a few more minutes. For a spicier kick, add cayenne pepper to the cheese sauce or use spicier taco seasoning. The beef and cheese sauce can be made ahead of time. You can also broil the assembled nachos for a minute or two to melt the cheese further. Try variations like Buffalo Chicken, BBQ Pulled Pork, Vegetarian, or Breakfast Tater Tot Nachos.