Loaded Tater Tots
Crispy tater tots topped with seasoned beef, melted cheese, and jalapeños create a crowd-pleasing snack perfect for game day or weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
For the Tater Tots
- 32-40 oz frozen tater tots Adjust based on crowd size
For the Beef
- 1 lb ground beef 80/20 for flavor; lean if preferred
- 1 tbsp oil Use if your skillet needs it
- 1 tsp chili powder Optional for seasoned beef
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin Optional for seasoned beef
- to taste salt For seasoning beef
- to taste pepper For seasoning beef
For Topping
- 1-2 cups shredded cheese Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend
- 1-2 fresh jalapeños Thinly sliced or pickled to taste
For Serving
- to taste sour cream For topping
- to taste diced tomatoes Optional nacho topping
- to taste sliced black olives Optional nacho topping
- to taste chopped green onions Optional nacho topping
- to taste cilantro Optional nacho topping
- to taste pickled onions Optional nacho topping
- to taste hot sauce Optional nacho topping
Instructions
Preheat the oven and cook the tots
- Preheat oven and bake tater tots according to package directions until they’re golden and crisp. For extra-crispy tots, spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake at 425°F for 20–25 minutes, turning once halfway.
Brown the ground beef
- While the tots bake, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add a tablespoon of oil if using lean beef. Crumble in the ground beef and cook until no pink remains, about 6–8 minutes.
- Season with salt, pepper, chili powder, and cumin (adjust to taste). Drain excess fat or use a spoon to remove it, leaving the meat glossy but not greasy.
Assemble in a baking dish
- Transfer the hot tots to a medium baking dish in a single layer or slightly overlapping, depending on dish size.
- Evenly spread the seasoned beef over the tots.
Top and melt
- Sprinkle shredded cheese so it covers the beef and tots. Scatter sliced jalapeños on top.
- Return to the oven and bake at 375–400°F for 5–8 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Finish and serve
- Remove from oven and let rest for 1–2 minutes. Dollop sour cream and add diced tomatoes, olives, green onions, or cilantro as desired. Serve hot.
Notes
For best texture, freeze cooked beef separately and tater tots before assembly. Fully assembled and baked trays can be frozen, but texture softens on thaw/reheat. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days. Reheat until internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.