Piled high with your favorite toppings, this Tater Tot Nachos Casserole (that's tater tot nachos!) are always a hit. Easy to make when you're looking for a fun meal! You'll love this tasty twist on a traditional Mexican dish.
If you're a big fan of nachos, be sure to try the Cowboy Tater Tot Casserole next. Picky eaters love it!
Jump to:
- What makes this recipe irresistible
- Ingredients you’ll need
- The ultimate list of tacho toppings
- Step-by-step instructions
- Essential tools for this recipe
- Frequently asked questions (FAQ’s)
- Deb’s tips for the perfect dish
- How to store leftovers
- More recipes you’ll love
- Perfect pairings: what to serve with
- Tater Tot Nachos Recipe
What makes this recipe irresistible
Of course it's the Crispy baked tater tots! This a step up on traditional nachos. And it's always a hit! This easy tatchos recipe is perfect for taco night, watching the big game or movie night.
Ingredients you’ll need
For the exact measurements, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Lean ground beef and taco seasoning - Use ground chicken, spicy chorizo or ground turkey if you'd prefer.
- Frozen tater tots - No tater tots? Use French fries or traditional tortilla chips instead - yum!
- Grated cheddar cheese or pepper jack or Monterey Jack cheese
- Top with your favorite nacho toppings.
The ultimate list of tacho toppings
- sour cream
- pico de Gallo or salsa
- sliced black olives
- diced red onion
- sliced green onions
- diced tomatoes
- black beans or pinto beans
- sliced jalapeños
- fresh tomatoes
- dice red or green bell peppers
- green chiles
- fresh cilantro
- slices of skirt steak
- fresh avocado or guacamole
- red or green salsa
- crispy tortilla chips
- quesadilla dip
- nacho cheese sauce
- leftover charbroiled steak? Delish!
- slices of bacon, cooked and diced
- if you love heat, toped with diced Serrano pepper
Step-by-step instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!
- Start by preheating the oven. You'll use two baking sheets for this recipe.
- Split the bag of tots. Spread half over one baking sheet and half over the other.
- Bake for 30 minutes.
- Brown ground beef and drain well. Season with taco seasoning.
- Take one pan of baked tots and sprinkle half of the taco meat and half the cheese over them.
- Top with the second pan of baked tater tots. Pour over the top of the others and repeat with the taco meat and cheese layer.
- Return to the oven. Bake for 5-10 minutes, until the cheese has melted.
- Top with your favorite nacho toppings, enjoy!
Essential tools for this recipe
The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Don't forget to check out my Amazon storefront for some of my favorite products! 🛍️
Frequently asked questions (FAQ’s)
Think nachos, but with tater tots! The base of this totchos recipe is crispy tater tots, finished with your favorite nachos toppings.
Crispy tots are baked at a high heat. Shake the pan about halfway through cooking so all sides get crispy. Additionally spread them in one even layer so they crisp, not steam.
Deb’s tips for the perfect dish
- The reason you're using two sheet pans is because you want the tots super crispy. If they are piled on one sheet pan they will steam instead.
- Spread the tots in one even layer on each sheet pan.
How to store leftovers
Storage Instructions - If you think you are going to have leftovers, only add the toppings to individual plates as you are serving. That way, the tachos can be stored in the refrigerator (for up to 3 days) and reheated as needed.
Reheat - place tater tots (without toppings) in 400 degree preheated oven for 10-15 minutes until heated and crispy.
More recipes you’ll love
Who doesn't love a crazy Tex/Mex fusion recipe? Well there are several drool-worthy recipes here on the blog. Here are a few!!
Click on each photo and it will take you directly to the recipe!
Perfect pairings: what to serve with
- If you're serving this for movie night, start off the party with a Mexican Paloma Cocktail - YUM!
- Mexican Corn Casserole - use your choice of corn, either fresh or frozen, either works. This is so good and would be fabulous over the tachos recipe!
- Pico de Gallo - easy to make, this homemade version is my go-to for snacking.
Looking for more terrific ideas? Check this out for what to serve with Tater Tot Casserole!
Hands down, one of my fav recipes for tailgating. EVERYONE loves this recipe. Let me know what your family thinks ok? Leave a comment below!
Tater Tot Nachos Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound prepared taco meat
- 3 lb frozen tater tots
- 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
- Optional Toppings:
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup sliced olives
- 1 avocado diced
- ½ cup pico de Gallo or salsa
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- 1 jalapeños sliced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°F.
- Spread half the tater tots all over a baking sheet and half over another.
- Bake both pans for 30 minutes.
- Sprinkle half of the taco meat over the cooked tater tots, then half of the cheese.
- Remove the second pan of tater tots and pour over the top of the others.
- Sprinkle the remaining taco meat and cheese over the top. Bake in the oven for about 5-10 minutes, until the cheese has melted and everything is warmed through.
- Top with your favorite nacho toppings.
Camden says
Oh goodness, my mouth is already watering thinking about this! A tater tot nacho casserole like this would be gone in seconds between me and my boyfriend. Thanks for sharing it!
Debbie says
This tater tot nacho casserole is going to be a huge hit in my house. What a great way to change up taco night!
Alyssa says
This tater tot nacho casserole looks so good. My boys love tater tots and tacos, so this is the perfect mix. I like to make casseroles during the week because I can always have leftovers for lunch!
Debra Clark says
Right? It's such an easy way to meal prep! Enjoy the Tachos Alyssa!
Kristen says
YUM! This tater tot nacho casserole looks like the perfect easy dinner/ snack recipe! Do you think it will still turn out okay without the meat?
Debra Clark says
Absolutely, you can omit the meat and you won't miss a thing.
Brittany says
My family and friends devoured this tacos recipe! It's such an easy and delicious recipe, perfect for a game day snack!
Debra Clark says
Right? An easy dinner for the kids too. This casserole is YUMMY!
Lois says
This does look great. Will be trying it very soon. Looks so easy to put together. My kind of recipe.