Save A fun, indulgent fusion of classic mac and cheese combined with crispy Tex-Mex seasoned tater tots, topped with melty cheese and fresh garnishes, this dish is a perfect crowd-pleaser for parties or family dinners.
I first made this for a weekend get-together and it instantly became a hit. The combination of creamy cheese and crunchy tots always brings smiles around the table.
Ingredients
- Tater Tots: 900 g (2 lbs) frozen tater tots
- Elbow Macaroni: 200 g (7 oz) elbow macaroni
- Unsalted Butter: 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- All-Purpose Flour: 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- Whole Milk: 240 ml (1 cup) whole milk
- Heavy Cream: 120 ml (½ cup) heavy cream
- Cheddar Cheese: 170 g (1 ½ cups) shredded cheddar cheese
- Monterey Jack Cheese: 60 g (½ cup) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- Smoked Paprika: ½ tsp smoked paprika
- Ground Cumin: ½ tsp ground cumin
- Garlic Powder: ¼ tsp garlic powder
- Salt and Black Pepper: to taste
- Mexican Blend Cheese: 90 g (1 cup) shredded Mexican blend cheese
- Spring Onions: 2 spring onions, thinly sliced
- Tomato: 1 small tomato, diced
- Jalapeño: 1 small jalapeño, thinly sliced (optional)
- Fresh Cilantro: 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
- Sour Cream: 60 ml (¼ cup) sour cream
- Salsa: 60 ml (¼ cup) salsa
Instructions
- Prepare Tater Tots:
- Preheat oven to 220°C (425°F). Arrange tater tots in a single layer on a large baking sheet and bake according to package instructions (about 25–30 minutes), turning halfway through for even crispness.
- Cook Macaroni:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make Cheese Sauce:
- Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually add milk and cream, whisking constantly until smooth and slightly thickened (about 2–3 minutes).
- Finish Cheese Sauce:
- Reduce heat to low. Stir in cheddar, Monterey Jack, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until cheese is fully melted and sauce is smooth.
- Combine Macaroni and Cheese Sauce:
- Add cooked macaroni to cheese sauce and stir to coat evenly.
- Assemble Dish:
- When tater tots are golden and crisp, transfer them to a large ovenproof dish. Spoon mac and cheese evenly over the tots.
- Top and Bake:
- Sprinkle shredded Mexican blend cheese over the top. Return dish to oven for 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve:
- Remove from oven. Garnish with spring onions, diced tomato, jalapeño slices (if using), and fresh cilantro. Drizzle with sour cream and salsa just before serving.
Save This recipe has become our go-to for casual family nights and game day feasts. My kids love customizing their servings with extra salsa or cheese.
Required Tools
Baking sheet, large pot, medium saucepan, whisk, ovenproof dish, knife and cutting board.
Allergen Information
Contains dairy (cheese, milk, sour cream), gluten (pasta, tater tots, flour). May contain soy or other allergens depending on tater tot brand, check labels.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 570, Total Fat: 32 g, Carbohydrates: 55 g, Protein: 16 g per serving.
Save Serve piping hot right out of the oven for a cheesy, crunchy comfort dish everyone will dig into. Enjoy experimenting with your favorite toppings!
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I keep tater tots crispy?
Bake tater tots in a single layer and add toppings just before serving to maintain their crunch.
- → Can I make this gluten free?
Yes, use gluten-free pasta and tater tots; ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- → What cheeses work best?
Cheddar and Monterey Jack melt smoothly for a creamy sauce, while Mexican blend adds extra flavor on top.
- → How can I spice it up?
Include jalapeños, pickled peppers, or a dash of hot sauce to add heat to the dish.
- → Are leftovers good?
Leftovers can be reheated, but tater tots may soften. Best flavor and texture come when served fresh.
- → Can I add protein?
For a non-vegetarian option, add cooked crumbled chorizo or bacon before baking for extra richness.