Description
This Mexican Totchos recipe combines crispy baked tater tots topped with seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn, and a blend of melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Finished with fresh diced tomatoes, jalapeños, red onion, cilantro, sour cream, and guacamole, these totchos are a perfect crowd-pleaser for game days, parties, or casual family dinners with bold Tex-Mex flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 1 bag (32 ounces) frozen tater tots
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or 3 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning)
- 1/4 cup water
Vegetables and Beans
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen)
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup sliced jalapeños (fresh or pickled)
- 1/4 cup red onion, diced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Cheeses and Toppings
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup guacamole
- Salsa for serving
Instructions
- Preheat and bake tater tots: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Bake them according to the package directions, usually about 25 to 30 minutes, until they are golden and crispy.
- Cook the meat: While the tots bake, heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef or turkey and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked through, about 5–6 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the pan.
- Add seasoning: Stir in the taco seasoning and 1/4 cup water into the cooked meat. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the seasoning is fully blended and the water mostly evaporates.
- Assemble the totchos: When the tater tots are crispy, transfer them to a large oven-safe skillet or baking dish in an even layer. Spread the seasoned meat evenly over the tots. Next, add the black beans, corn, and sprinkle both shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses on top.
- Melt the cheese: Return the skillet or dish to the oven and bake for an additional 5–7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish: Remove from the oven and sprinkle the totchos with diced tomatoes, jalapeños, red onion, and chopped cilantro. Drizzle sour cream over the top and dollop with guacamole.
- Serve: Serve the totchos hot with salsa on the side for dipping or spooning over each serving.
Notes
- Make this recipe vegetarian by omitting the meat and doubling the amount of black beans and corn.
- For extra heat, swap cheddar cheese for pepper jack and add hot sauce on top.
- Perfect for parties, game days, or casual family dinners.
- Use certified gluten-free taco seasoning and tater tots to keep this gluten-free.
