Totchos Recipe

Preheat and arrange

Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Lightly oil a full-size sheet pan or a 13x18-inch roasting pan with 2 tbs vegetable oil, spreading evenly.

Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single even layer across the pan so they touch but are not piled. Sprinkle 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper evenly over the tots.

Bake the tots for 20 minutes, then rotate the pan and bake an additional 8–12 minutes until golden and crispy. Remove from oven and reduce oven temperature to 375°F (190°C).

While the tots bake, heat 1 tbs vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook 3–4 minutes until translucent.

Add the ground beef to the skillet and break it up with a spatula. Cook until mostly browned, about 6–8 minutes.

Stir in the minced garlic, chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, kosher salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook 1 minute until fragrant.

Add the tomato paste and 1/4 cup water, stir to combine and simmer 2–3 minutes until mixture is saucy and cohesive. Taste and adjust seasoning. Remove from heat.

Scatter the prepared seasoned ground beef evenly over the baked tater tots, leaving some spaces so tots remain crispy.

Combine shredded cheddar and pepper jack cheeses and sprinkle evenly over the beef and tots. If using nacho cheese sauce, drizzle it in a few spots for extra sauciness.

Place the pan back in the oven at 375°F (190°C) and bake 8–10 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.

If you want browned, bubbly cheese, switch the oven to broil on high and broil 1–2 minutes watching carefully to avoid burning.

Remove the pan from the oven. Immediately scatter sliced pickled jalapeños, pickled red onions (if using), and sliced green onions over the melted cheese.

Dot spoonfuls of sour cream across the pan or serve it on the side for dipping. Sprinkle chopped cilantro and add lime wedges to the side.

Drizzle hot sauce if desired and serve the full pan hot. Provide a spatula for serving; each serving should be scooped so tots, meat, cheese and toppings stay together.