Description
Loaded Tater Tot Nachos are a flavorful and fun twist on traditional nachos, featuring crispy baked tater tots topped with seasoned ground beef, cheesy queso, melted Monterey Jack cheese, and a variety of optional fresh toppings. Perfect for a game day snack or casual family dinner, this recipe combines crunchy textures and savory flavors in an easy-to-make oven-baked dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 (1 oz) packet taco seasoning
- 2 tbsp water
- 2 lb frozen tater tots
- ½ cup queso cheese
- 1 ¼ cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Optional Toppings
- Pico de gallo
- Sour cream
- Lime wedges
- Jalapeños
- Fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy clean-up.
- Bake the Tater Tots: Spread the frozen tater tots evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Bake them in the oven for 25–30 minutes until they are golden brown and crispy, shaking the pan halfway through cooking to ensure even crisping.
- Cook the Ground Beef: While the tater tots bake, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it up with a spatula as it browns, cooking for 7–10 minutes. Drain any excess grease to keep the dish from being oily. Stir in the taco seasoning and water, then cook for an additional 1–2 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Assemble the Nachos: Remove the crispy tater tots from the oven. Drizzle the queso cheese evenly over the tots, then layer the seasoned ground beef on top. Sprinkle the shredded Monterey Jack cheese evenly over everything.
- Final Bake: Return the assembled nachos to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes, until the cheese is fully melted and the dish is heated through.
- Add Toppings and Serve: Take the nachos out of the oven, and finish with your favorite optional toppings such as pico de gallo, sour cream, lime wedges, jalapeños, and fresh cilantro. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy!
Notes
- For extra crispiness, toss the tater tots with a little oil before baking.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option.
- Adjust spice levels by adding jalapeños or hot sauce to the beef mixture.
- Use dairy-free or vegan cheese alternatives to make this recipe vegan-friendly.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days and reheated in the oven for best results.
