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    Home » Dinner Recipes » Chili Cheese Tater Tots

    Chili Cheese Tater Tots

    Date: November 21, 2021 by Christian Guzman • This post may contain affiliate links. See Privacy Policy below.

    This Chili Cheese Tater Tots recipe is inspired by one of my favorite restaurants. It’s crispy, golden tater tots, smothered in chili and cheese. Yum!

    It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing dinner that kids and everyone else will love!

    • Making Tater Tots Crust
    • Are Chili Cheese Tater Tots Gluten Free?
    • Recipe
    24Bite: Chili Cheese Tater Tots recipe by Christian Guzman.
    Jump to Recipe

    Ingredients

    six ingredients for chlli cheese tater tots from recipe card, on a countertop.

    This recipe is easy to make with only six major ingredients:

    • Tater Tots (I prefer Crispy Crowns from Ore-Ida)
    • Ground beef
    • Chili Seasoning Mix
    • Tomato Sauce
    • Green Chiles
    • Shredded cheese

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    Shredding the Cheddar Cheese

    Of course, you can use pre-shredded cheddar cheese. But, do yourself a favor and shred it yourself. It just melts so well.

    The packaged shredded cheese has something added to keep the shreds from pressing together. Although this is great to be able to use it, it does hinder the melting.

    Hot, melty cheese is glorious!

    plate of birria tacos with link to recipe

    Making Tater Tots Crust

    I wanted to make a tater tots casserole that you could make into actual slices. This involves making a sort of makeshift tater tot crust.

    Once you thaw the tater tots in the oven, take them out and smash them. You can easily use a drinking glass. Or, use a spatula. Anything at all. You don’t need to go wild. Just flatten them to cover the bottom of the pan.

    making tater tot crust by using a drinking glass to press them.
    Use the bottom of a drinking glass or measuring cup to press in the crust.

    Then you just start layering. Easy peasy!

    • Tater Tots crust
    • Shredded cheese
    • Chili
    • Shredded cheese
    • Tater Tots
    sprinkling shredded cheddar cheese on top of tater tots crust.

    Chili Cheese Tater Tots are Gluten Free?

    Everything in this recipe is gluten free except the specific chili seasoning mix. This is all you’ll need to check.

    I used Great Value brand, which has some wheat in it. But, I’ve checked and you can get McCormick and Pioneer Brand in gluten free versions. Just check your ingredients when purchasing.

    24Bite: Chili Cheese Tater Tots recipe by Christian Guzman.

    More Family Friendly Recipes

    Whether you’re feeding several people or you want to keep some leftovers in the ‘fridge for later, try some of these favorite family friendly recipes.

    • Crockpot Chicken and Gravy Gluten Free
    • Instant Pot Mexican Picadillo
    • Easy Creamy Baked Spaghetti
    • Takis Taco Salad

    Recipe

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    Chili Cheese Tater Tots

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    5 from 1 vote
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 55 minutes
    Cooling: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
    Servings: 12 servings
    Calories: 345kcal
    Author: Christian Guzman
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    Chili Cheese Tater Tots is inspired by one of my favorite restaurants. It's crispy, golden tater tots, smothered in chili and cheese. Yum!

    For more information, be sure to check the recipe details in the attached 24Bite® post.

    Equipment

    • 9" x 13" baking pan

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound Ground Beef
    • ¼ cup Water
    • Cooking Spray, like Pam
    • 30 ounces Crispy Golden Crowns, like Ore Ida, divided
    • 15 ounces Tomato Sauce
    • 4.5 ounces Diced Green Chiles, mild
    • 1.25 ounces Chili Seasoning Mix, one packet
    • 3 cups Cheddar Cheese, shredded, divided

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 425℉.
    • Spray 9 x 13" baking pan with cooking spray. Add HALF the crispy crowns to the bottom of the baking dish. Set aside until oven is preheated.
    • In medium mixing bowl, mix ground beef and water. Use your hand, if possible. Mix well. Place in skillet to begin browning. Breaking apart and stirring occasionally, cook on medium high heat until no longer pink, about 8-10 minutes.
    • Once oven has preheated, place baking dish of crispy crowns in oven and bake for 8 minutes. Remove. With a flat object, I used a drinking glass, press down throughout to form a sort of "crust". Set aside.
    • Strain off excess fat from ground beef, if desired. Return to skillet. Add tomato sauce, diced green chiles and chili seasoning. Mix well. Once heated through, reduce heat to simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    • Sprinkle HALF the shredded cheese evenly on crispy crowns in baking dish.
    • Once the chili is ready, spread across the cheese in the baking dish. Sprinkle remaining shredded cheese evenly across chlii. Place remaining crispy crowns evenly across the cheese, as the final layer.
    • Place bake in oven, uncovered, until crispy crowns are golden, about 30-35 minutes. Remove and allow to cool for about 10-15 minutes before serving.



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    Notes

    I’ve used mild chopped green chiles but you can use chopped jalapeños if you prefer more of a kick.
    I’ve used Ore Ida Crispy Crowns to make it easier to flatten and layer the ingredients. You can easily use regular tater tots instead. It will be thicker with more tots and you’ll need to adjust the calories.
    Nutrition Facts
    Chili Cheese Tater Tots
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 345 Calories from Fat 225
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 25g38%
    Saturated Fat 10g63%
    Sodium 848mg37%
    Carbohydrates 15g5%
    Fiber 3g13%
    Sugar 3g3%
    Protein 15g30%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Keyword Chilii Cheese Tater Tots Casserole, Loaded Tater Tots, Tater Tot Casserole
    ______________________



    Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. All amounts are estimates and 24Bite® takes no responsibility for actual figures since calculations vary by packaging and supplier. Please calculate the amounts yourself based on package labeling if you have specific dietary requirements. 24Bite®, Kim Guzman or Christian Guzman shall not be liable for adverse reactions or any other outcome resulting from the use of recipes or recommendations on this website or actions you take as a result.

    © 2019-2023 Kim Guzman and Christian Guzman. All rights reserved. Subscribe to 24Bite email newsletters.



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    Welcome to 24Bite®! My name is Christian Guzman and I love to cook! I hope you will join me in the kitchen, where I teach you to make your favorite craves!

         

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