Description
This hearty Chili Cheese Tater Tots recipe combines crispy tater tots topped with flavorful homemade chili and melted cheddar cheese. Perfect as a comforting meal or satisfying snack, this dish features seasoned ground beef simmered with spices and tomatoes, served over golden tater tots for a deliciously indulgent comfort food experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Chili
- 1 teaspoon oil
- 8 ounces ground beef
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 10 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup beef broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
Tater Tots & Toppings
- 4 cups tater tots
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Beef and Aromatics: Heat 1 teaspoon of oil in a medium stockpot over medium heat. Add the ground beef and crumble it as it cooks. Then add the diced onion and minced garlic. Cook until the onion softens and the beef is browned. Drain any excess oil from the pot.
- Simmer the Chili: Stir in the chili powder, cumin, coriander, crushed tomatoes, and beef broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for 1 hour. Stir occasionally and cook until most of the liquid has evaporated. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cook the Tater Tots: Heat the tater tots according to the package directions, ensuring they become crispy and golden brown.
- Assemble and Serve: Arrange the cooked tater tots on plates or a serving dish. Spoon the hot chili generously over the tots, then sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top to melt slightly from the heat. Serve immediately for a comforting and delicious dish.
Notes
- You can use frozen tater tots for convenience; bake or air fry according to package instructions for best results.
- For a spicier chili, add cayenne pepper or chopped jalapeños in Step 2.
- This recipe can be doubled easily to serve more people.
- Leftover chili can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated as needed.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with textured vegetable protein or cooked lentils.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
