When it comes to cheesing it up, there are two ways you can get your totchos on:

Cheesy Totchos – 2 Ways!

The first way (aka the shortcut tots) involves grating up a brick of tasty Cabot cheddar and sprinkling it onto freshly baked tots. A minute or two back in the oven and they’re deliciously melty with an epic cheese pull factor thrown into the mix.

For a true nacho vibe of epic proportions, you can take your Cabot cheese to the next level by making my go-to nacho cheese sauce.

This will work *AMAZING* with Cabot’s medium cheddar cheese, extra sharp cheddar, and of course their amazing pepper jack cheese as well. All three options are insanely tasty!

Toppings for Tater Tot Nachos

When it comes to the topping combinations, they’re deliciously endless.

You can even host a little “make your own totchos” bar by serving up a tray of crispy tots with bowls of toppings that everyone can mix and match to make their own custom nachos.

Here are some tater tot topping ideas to get ya started!

Vegetarian friends, simply skip the bacon option in the recipe card or opt for some of the delicious veggie-friendly options available like crispy tempeh or soy bacon bits.

T-Rex chefs can take things to the next level with pulled pork or salsa chicken as a protein packed add-on to these loaded tots.

Loaded Tater Tot Nachos

Make a little… or a lot! When it comes to these lusciously loaded tater tot nachos you can scale it down to serve two or double the recipe to feed a crowd at your next game night or gathering.

The recipe is completely adjustable and the cheese sauce easily doubles or triples based on your needs. It can also be made in advance and reheated as needed.

To have these tasty tots ready in under 30 minutes, simply prep all your toppings while the tots bake away in the oven. This way once they’re hot and crispy you’re ready to smother them in toppings and dive right in!

Ready to eat? Let’s make some totchos!

Loaded Tater Tot Nachos

Get ready to faceplant into the most epic loaded Tater Tot Nachos of your life! These easy cheesy totchos are smothered in a melty cheese sauce and all your favorite toppings!

Author Jenn Laughlin – Peas and Crayons

• 1
  bag
  frozen tater tots
  (approx. 32 oz)
• 6-8
  slices
  bacon
• 1-2
  jalapeños
• 1/3
  cup
  chopped fresh scallions
  or cilantro (or a mix of both)
• sour cream
  for topping

NACHO CHEESE SAUCE

• 4-5
  oz
  Cabot Extra-Sharp Cheddar Cheese
  or Cabot Medium Cheddar Cheese
• 3/4
  cup
  milk
  (2% or whole)
• 1
  TBSP
  unsalted butter
• 1
  TBSP
  all-purpose flour
• 1
  oz
  cream cheese
  (softened)
• 1/4-1/2
  tsp
  ground cayenne pepper
• 1/8
  tsp
  garlic powder
• 1/8
  tsp
  salt
  plus any extra to taste

2. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and help the tots get golden brown.

3. Arrange tots in a single layer atop the parchment lined pan and bake for approx 25-28 minutes on the oven’s center rack until cripsy and golden. For even cripsier tots, slap on an oven mit and shake the pan up a little at the 10 minute mark to ensure all the tots get nice and crispy.

4. While the tots bake, prepare cheese sauce and prep choice of toppings.

5. If using bacon, cook via favorite method until crispy and crumble into small pieces. My favorite speedy method for this is to chop the bacon into 1/4-1/2 inch pieces and cook in a skillet until crispy.

6. Next make nacho cheese sauce. Freshly grate Cabot cheese (pre-shredded cheese won’t work here) and measure out all ingredients. This sauce comes together fast!

7. Warm the milk in the microwave for 30-40 seconds and set aside. Heat a small sauce pot and add butter. Once melted, add flour and whisk into butter vigorously as it becomes bubbly and foamy. Continue to cook and whisk constantly for about a minute to cook off the flour taste.

8. Add warmed milk and whisk vigorously into flour mixture. Allow milk to come to a simmer, whisking occasionally as it thickens. Once it has thickened, remove pot from heat. Add cream cheese and whisk until melted.

9. Next slowly add grated Cabot cheddar in 3 batches, stirring it in until the cheese is fully melted. I like to keep the pot off the heat here so the cheese doesn’t overhead and turn gritty. If working quickly the sauce should be hot enough to melt the cheese. Season with cayenne pepper and salt. Adjust spices to taste. If your stove top has a low/warm setting, allow pot to sit on the burner set to low or warm to keep the cheese nice and melty. It will thicken as it cools but thin back out once brought back to heat. Easy peasy!

10. Prep remaining toppings and feel free to add any optional extras from the list above!

11. Once tots are hot and ready from the oven, pour cheese sauce on top and pile on the toppings. Enjoy while they’re hot, cripsy, and oh so delicious!

Nutrition Facts below are estimated using an online recipe nutrition calculator. Adjust as needed based on additional extras added and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Loaded Tater Tot Nachos

Amount Per Serving

Calories 366
Calories from Fat 216

% Daily Value*

Fat 24g37%

Saturated Fat 9g56%

Trans Fat 1g

Polyunsaturated Fat 4g

Monounsaturated Fat 10g

Cholesterol 35mg12%

Sodium 741mg32%

Potassium 404mg12%

Carbohydrates 31g10%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 9g18%

Vitamin A 374IU7%

Vitamin C 11mg13%

Calcium 153mg15%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

If you get a chance to make these loaded tater tot nachos, let me know!

Leave some love in the comment form below or tag your photos with @peasandcrayons on Instagram so I can happy dance over your creation. I can’t wait to see what you whip up!