Loaded Totchos (with beef)

A baking sheet of loaded tater tots topped with ground beef, melted cheese, chopped tomatoes, jalapeño slices, fresh cilantro, and dollops of sour cream. A wooden spatula rests on the sheet, and lime halves are nearby.

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Loaded Totchos combine crispy tots, taco meat, and cheese for the ultimate appetizer. Perfect for sharing with family or friends!

Prep Time10

Cook Time40

Total Time50

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: Mexican American

Servings:

Calories: 903kcal

Author: Maggie Unzueta

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1 oz taco seasoning packet
2 tablespoon water
2 lb frozen tater tots
½ cup queso cheese (or use chipotle mayo)
1 ¼ cups Monterey Jack cheese shredded

Optional Toppings:

Pico de gallo
Sour cream
Lime wedges
Jalapeños
Fresh cilantro

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Spread tater tots evenly on the pan and bake until golden and crispy, about 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway through.
While tots are baking, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add ground beef, cooking and breaking apart until browned, about 7–10 minutes.
Drain excess grease. Stir in taco seasoning and water; cook 1–2 minutes more.
Remove tater tots from the oven and drizzle with queso.
Top with seasoned beef and shredded Monterey Jack cheese.
Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and everything is heated through.
Remove from the oven and finish with your choice of toppings.
Serve immediately.

Notes

Leftover taco meat works perfectly for this recipe and cuts down on prep time.
No queso cheese on hand? You can also use - Poblano Cream Sauce or Chipotle Mayo Sauce
Can I swap out the Monterey Jack cheese? Absolutely. Cheddar, pepper jack, or a Mexican cheese blend all work well.
Instead of using a taco seasoning, try Southwest Seasoning Recipe, Carne Asada Seasoning Recipe, or Chicken Taco Seasoning.

Reheating Instructions: For the best texture, reheat Loaded Totchos in the oven at 375°F for about 10–15 minutes, or until warmed through. You can also reheat them in an air fryer for a few minutes to bring back the crispiness. Avoid the microwave if possible, as it can make the tots soft.

Nutrition