Ultimate Totchos Recipe (2024)

Nacho cheese sauce: This is the key to making your totchos ooze with flavor. It's available in most supermarkets, but feel free to make your own.

Tater tots: They serve as the 'nacho chips' in this recipe, providing a crispy, flavorful base.

Olive oil: Used to cook the ground beef and give it a lovely, rich flavor.

Ground beef: The protein in the dish. Adds a hearty meaty texture and taste.

Taco seasoning: Gives the ground beef its Mexican flare.

Sour cream: Adds a creamy, tangy element to balance the spice.

Tomatoes: Fresh and juicy, they add a refreshing contrast.

Pickled jalapenos: They bring a spicy kick and tangy flavor to the totchos.

This ultimate totchos recipe is a game-changer! The combination of crispy tater tots, savory ground beef, and gooey cheese sauce is simply irresistible. Topped with sour cream, tomatoes, and jalapeños, it's a flavor explosion. It's a must-try for any gathering or just a fun night in!

Jereme Eggleston

How to prepare nacho cheese sauce: This involves melting cheese with milk or cream and adding seasonings to create a smooth, creamy sauce.

How to cook ground beef: This involves heating a skillet, adding ground beef, and breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks until it's browned and cooked through.

How to bake tater tots: This involves spreading the tater tots on a baking sheet and baking them in the oven until they are golden and crispy.

How to assemble totchos: This involves layering the baked tater tots with the prepared nacho cheese sauce, cooked ground beef, and toppings such as sour cream, tomatoes, and jalapeños.

Prep ahead: Prepare the nacho cheese sauce and taco seasoning in advance to save time during the cooking process.

Batch cooking: Cook a large quantity of ground beef and freeze it in portions for future use in recipes like this one.

Use store-bought: Consider using store-bought nacho cheese sauce and pre-made taco seasoning to cut down on prep time.

One-pan cooking: Use a single skillet to cook the ground beef and prepare the toppings simultaneously to streamline the cooking process.

Efficient assembly: Organize all the ingredients and toppings in advance to assemble the totchos quickly and efficiently.

• homemade nacho cheese sauce - Substitute with store-bought nacho cheese sauce: If you don't have the time to make homemade cheese sauce, store-bought nacho cheese sauce can be a convenient substitute without compromising the flavor.

• frozen tater tots - Substitute with frozen hash browns: If you prefer a different texture, frozen hash browns can be used as a substitute for tater tots. They will still provide the crispy potato base for your totchos.

• olive oil - Substitute with vegetable oil: Vegetable oil can be used as a substitute for olive oil in this recipe, as it has a neutral flavor and can withstand high heat when cooking the ground beef.

• lean ground beef - Substitute with ground turkey: Ground turkey can be a healthier alternative to ground beef, and it can be seasoned similarly for a delicious twist on the classic totchos recipe.

• taco seasoning - Substitute with chili powder, cumin, and paprika mix: If you don't have taco seasoning on hand, a mix of chili powder, cumin, and paprika can be used to create a similar flavor profile for the ground beef.

• sour cream - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt can be a healthier substitute for sour cream, offering a similar tangy flavor and creamy texture to top off your totchos.

  See Also

  Thai Chicken Totchos

• tomatoes - Substitute with salsa: If you prefer a more intense flavor, salsa can be used as a substitute for fresh tomatoes, adding a zesty kick to your totchos.

• pickled jalapenos - Substitute with fresh jalapenos: If you prefer a milder heat, fresh jalapenos can be used as a substitute for pickled jalapenos, allowing you to control the spiciness of your totchos.

1. Elevate the tots: Arrange the tater tots in a visually appealing manner, ensuring they are evenly spread out on the plate to create a stunning base for the dish.

2. Artful drizzling of nacho cheese sauce: Skillfully drizzle the homemade nacho cheese sauce over the tater tots, ensuring each tot is generously coated for a burst of flavor in every bite.

3. Strategic placement of seasoned ground beef: Place the seasoned ground beef on top of the tots with precision, creating a visually enticing layer that showcases the savory element of the dish.

4. Garnish with flair: Add dollops of sour cream, diced tomatoes, and pickled jalapeños in an artful arrangement, ensuring each ingredient stands out and complements the overall presentation.

• To store leftover totchos, allow them to cool completely to room temperature before transferring to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
• When reheating, spread the totchos on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven until heated through and crispy, about 10-15 minutes. Alternatively, microwave smaller portions in 30-second intervals until warm.
• For longer storage, freeze the totchos before adding toppings like sour cream, tomatoes, and jalapeños. Place the cooled totchos in a freezer-safe container or resealable bag, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
• Frozen totchos can be stored for up to 2-3 months. To reheat, bake from frozen in a preheated 400°F (200°C) oven for 15-20 minutes or until heated through and crispy. Add fresh toppings before serving.
• If you have leftover nacho cheese sauce, store it separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat the sauce in the microwave or on the stovetop, stirring occasionally, until smooth and warmed through.

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the leftover totchos evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Cover the sheet with another layer of foil to prevent the toppings from drying out or burning. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. Remove the top layer of foil for the last 5 minutes to crisp up the tater tots.

• For a quicker option, use your microwave. Place the leftover totchos in a microwave-safe dish and cover with a damp paper towel. This will help maintain moisture and prevent the toppings from drying out. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. Be careful not to overheat, as this can cause the tater tots to become soggy.

• If you have an air fryer, you can use it to reheat your totchos and maintain their crispiness. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover totchos in the air fryer basket and cook for 3-5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even heating.

• For a stovetop method, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the leftover totchos to the skillet and cover with a lid. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through. Remove the lid for the last 2 minutes to allow any excess moisture to evaporate and the tater tots to crisp up slightly.

• If the nacho cheese sauce has thickened or dried out during storage, add a splash of milk or water to the dish before reheating. This will help loosen the sauce and make it easier to distribute evenly over the totchos.

The ultimate totchos recipe, while undeniably delicious, is not the healthiest option. The main culprits are the frozen tater tots, which are high in calories, fat, and sodium. The ground beef, depending on its fat content, can also contribute to the dish's overall saturated fat and calorie count. Additionally, the nacho cheese sauce and sour cream add more calories and fat to the mix. The toppings, such as tomatoes and jalapeños, provide some nutrients, but they are not enough to balance out the less healthy components.

To make this recipe healthier, consider the following suggestions:

• Swap regular tater tots for a homemade version using sweet potatoes or zucchini, which are more nutrient-dense and lower in calories
• Use lean ground turkey or chicken instead of beef to reduce the saturated fat content
• Opt for a homemade cheese sauce using reduced-fat milk and cheese to cut down on calories and fat
• Replace sour cream with plain Greek yogurt for a protein boost and lower fat content
• Increase the amount of vegetable toppings, such as diced onions, bell peppers, and lettuce, to add more fiber and nutrients
• Use a smaller portion of the meat and cheese sauce, and load up on the veggie toppings to create a more balanced dish