Loaded Tater Tot Nachos Recipe
Loaded Tater Tot Nachos combine crispy oven-baked tater tots topped with seasoned ground beef, melted cheeses, and a variety of fresh toppings for a delicious twist on classic nachos. Perfect as a hearty appetizer or a crowd-pleasing snack.
- Author: Mia
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
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
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure easy cleanup and non-stick baking.
- Bake Tater Tots: Spread the frozen tater tots evenly across the baking sheet. Place them in the oven and bake until they are golden and crispy, about 25 to 30 minutes. Shake or stir the tots halfway through baking to promote even crisping.
- Cook Ground Beef: While the tots bake, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula, and cook until browned, about 7 to 10 minutes. Drain any excess grease to reduce fat, then stir in the taco seasoning and 2 tablespoons of water. Cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes to fully combine the flavors.
- Assemble Nachos: Remove the crispy tater tots from the oven and drizzle them evenly with queso cheese. Layer the seasoned ground beef over the tots, then sprinkle the shredded Monterey Jack cheese on top.
- Bake to Melt Cheese: Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes or until the cheese has fully melted and everything is warmed through.
- Add Toppings and Serve: Take the nachos out of the oven and finish with desired optional toppings such as pico de gallo, sour cream, lime wedges, jalapeños, and fresh cilantro. Serve immediately for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- Shaking the tater tots halfway through baking ensures they crisp evenly on all sides.
- Draining excess grease from the beef helps reduce fat and prevents sogginess.
- Feel free to customize toppings based on preference or availability.
- Use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Ground turkey or chicken can substitute for beef for a lighter version.
Keywords: tater tot nachos, loaded nachos, ground beef nachos, crispy tater tots, queso nachos, party snack