Description
Loaded Tater Tots, or Totchos, are a deliciously fun twist on traditional nachos. Crispy baked tater tots are seasoned with taco spices, topped with savory ground beef cooked with onion and garlic, then melted sharp Colby jack cheese. Finished with fresh pico de gallo, sour cream, guacamole, green onions, cilantro, and jalapeños, this recipe is perfect for a comforting party snack or casual meal that’s packed with bold, Mexican-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
Tater Tots
- 32 ounces frozen tater tots (1 bag)
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Ground Beef Mixture
- 1 pound 90% lean ground beef
- ½ white onion, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
Toppings
- 8 ounces freshly shredded Colby jack cheese
- Pico de gallo
- Sour cream
- Guacamole
- Sliced green onions
- Chopped fresh cilantro
- Diced jalapeño peppers
Instructions
- Bake the Tater Tots: Preheat your oven to 400°F, if it isn’t already. Toss the frozen tater tots with 1 tablespoon of the taco seasoning to evenly coat them. Arrange the tots in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake according to the package instructions, adding a few extra minutes if you want them extra crispy.
- Cook the Ground Beef Mixture: While the tots bake, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add in the ground beef, diced onion, minced garlic, and the remaining 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning. Cook, breaking up the beef with a spoon, until the beef is no longer pink and the onions become translucent, about 7–10 minutes.
- Assemble the Loaded Tots: Once the tater tots are crispy and cooked through, scatter the cooked ground beef mixture evenly over the top of the tots on the baking sheet.
- Add Cheese and Bake Again: Sprinkle the shredded Colby jack cheese generously over the beef and tots. Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for another 7–10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Top and Serve: Remove the loaded tater tots from the oven. Top with your favorite garnishes such as pico de gallo, dollops of sour cream, guacamole, sliced green onions, chopped cilantro, and diced jalapeño peppers. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy!
Notes
- For extra crispy tots, broil for 1-2 minutes after baking but watch carefully to avoid burning.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner meat option.
- Make it vegetarian by using seasoned black beans instead of ground beef.
- Pico de gallo can be store-bought or homemade for freshness.
- Adjust jalapeño amount to control spice level.
- Leftovers can be reheated in the oven to keep tots crisp.
