Easy Loaded Tater Tot Nachos Recipe

I love tater tots and I love nachos. BOOM! Tater Tot Nachos!

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Also known as totchos (yup that’s a thing), they’re like classic nachos, but instead of tortilla chips, we use crispy potato tater tots as the base.

Tater Tot Nachos are cheesy, crunchy, meaty, and totally fun to eat.

Plus, let me tell you, these nachos will fill up your belly.

Got teenagers anyone?

These loaded tater tot nachos are packed with flavor from taco-seasoned lean ground beef, a smooth homemade nacho cheese sauce, and all your favorite toppings like green onions, sour cream, and salsa.

The crispy tater tots act like mini potato pillows, holding up all that melted cheese and meat.

It’s like your favorite comfort foods all rolled into one!

And you can throw in anything you want!

Want to add black beans, pico de gallo, or jalapeños? Go for it.

Making it for your vegetarian friends? Swap the beef for refried beans or pinto beans.

You can even make it spicy with a dash of hot sauce or keep it mild for the kids.

I’m telling you, tater tots work with so many different flavors.

These loaded totchos are a perfect party food for game day, a movie night, or a quick weeknight meal.

Grab a big baking sheet, bake up those crispy tots, and let’s dig into some Tater Tot Nachos!!

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Jump to:

• WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
• INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
• HOW TO MAKE TATER TOT NACHOS:
• FAQ: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
• CAN I USE STORE-BOUGHT CHEESE SAUCE?
• HOW TO REHEAT?
• CAN THIS BE MADE AHEAD?
• ANY ADDITIONS?
• ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
• HOW TO STORE:
• DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
• Easy Loaded Tater Tot Nachos Recipe

1. Crispy Tater Tot Base
   Using frozen tater tots baked until golden brown gives you a crunchy and fun base that holds all the toppings without getting soggy.
2. Cheesy and Meaty Layers
   Between the taco-seasoned ground beef and creamy cheddar cheese sauce, you’ve got a filling and flavorful main dish that hits the spot.
3. Easy to Customize
   Add whatever you love—shredded cheese, veggies, beans, or even mozzarella cheese. This great recipe works with so many simple ingredients!

• lean ground beef
• taco seasoning
• onion powder
• garlic powder
• ground cumin
• water
• unsalted butter
• all-purpose flour
• whole milk
• shredded cheddar cheese
• frozen tater tots
• favorite nacho toppings

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1. Bake the tater tots per the directions on the back of the packaging.
2. While the tots are cooking, make the meat mixture in a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, and break it up into crumbles with no pink left. About 8-10 minutes. Drain grease.
3. Add the taco seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, and cumin, stir to combine and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Add the water and stir it in. Simmer until most of the liquid is absorbed, stirring occasionally, but we still want it to appear moist and a little saucy.
5. Next, make the cheese sauce by adding the butter to a medium-sized saucepot over medium-low heat. 
6. Let it melt, add the flour, and whisk until smooth. Make sure there are no lumps. 
7. Add the onion powder, garlic powder, and cumin. Whisk to combine.
8. Slowly add in the milk, whisking constantly until smooth with no lumps. Stirring occasionally, bring to a simmer until thickened. 
9. Take off the heat and whisk in the cheese, set aside.
10. Line a 10×15 baking sheet with foil and place the tater tots in an even layer.
11. Spread the meat mixture over the tots.
12. Drizzle the cheese sauce all over.
13. Top with the remaining 2 cups cheese.
14. Place back in the oven for about 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Serve immediately with toppings of your choice.

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CAN I USE STORE-BOUGHT CHEESE SAUCE?

Yes, you can! If you’re short on time or prefer the taste of your favorite brand, using store-bought nacho cheese sauce is totally fine.

I know how it is.

Just warm it up before drizzling it on the tots.

Again, you can customize these tots as you please!

HOW TO REHEAT?

To keep them crispy, reheat leftover totchos in the air fryer or oven at medium heat, just until hot and crispy again.

The microwave works too, but the crispy tots may soften a bit. 

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CAN THIS BE MADE AHEAD?

You can make the meat and cheese sauce ahead of time and store them in the fridge.

When you’re ready to eat, bake the tots and assemble everything fresh.

This keeps the cooked tater tots from getting soggy.

Nobody wants a soggy tot!

ANY ADDITIONS?

This list should get you started. Heck, you might even want to throw in some ketchup!

They are tater tots after all.

• Black beans
• Diced bell peppers
• Cherry tomatoes or Roma tomatoes
• Sliced jalapeños
• Fresh cilantro
• Guacamole or avocado slices
• Pickled red onions
• Fresh sour cream
• Pinto beans
• Crushed tortilla chips on top for crunch

ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?

Just some simple ideas here. If anything else catches your fancy, let me know in the comments!

• Swap beef for ground turkey or shredded chicken
• Use refried beans for a vegetarian version
• Swap whole milk with 2% or plant-based milk
• Try queso blanco instead of cheddar for a different flavor
• Use Monterey Jack cheese instead of cheddar
• Skip the homemade sauce and use store-bought queso

ROOM TEMPERATURE: Best served hot. Do not leave out for more than 2 hours.

REFRIGERATOR: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Keep toppings like sour cream or salsa separate if possible.

FREEZER: Not ideal for freezing once assembled, but you can freeze the meat mixture for future use.

Reheat and use with fresh crispy baked tater tots.

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Tater Tot Nachos are everything you love about traditional tortilla chips nachos, but with a fun, crispy twist.

It’s simple to make, fun to eat, and always a hit at any party or weeknight dinner!

Learn more about the author, Dana DeVolk, on our ABOUT ME page!