Amp up your chili next time with a layer of shredded cheese and top it with crunchy, good ol’ fashioned tater tots! Chili Cheese Tots is a one pan meal and baked in less than 30 minutes… perfect for those busy weekday nights!
It’s really no secret I love chili and cheese. But, put it all on french fries or tater tots…and I could eat it every day. (Sometimes, I do! Well, maybe four a few days in a row. But really, who’s counting?)
When we go out somewhere (really anywhere) to eat, I look to see if chili is on the menu. And, yes I’m “one of those” that if Chili Cheese Tots or Chili Cheese Fries are not on the menu (…and they have all of the ingredients), I will ask for them to make it. I feel bad that it always leaves the server or the drive-up person scrambling to find out how to charge for such a thing. And, to be honest, they could charge me whatever price they make up …and I’ll pay it!
Chili Cheese Tots are seriously so easy to make! You really wouldn’t know what to do with all of your time you have put aside for making dinner. Never mind, I’m sure you have lots of things to do!
Do you ever make a big batch of chili and really don’t know what to do with the leftovers?
If you’re like me, my family will not eat leftovers if it looks the same as it did when it was introduced the first day it was served. So, I always have to be a little creative when it comes to leftovers in general.
You can use your favorite kind of chili and put it in an 8 inch by 8 inch baking dish.
With this recipe, I just added beans to my Pulled Pork Chili recipe I had made a couple days earlier.
But, if you don’t have time to make that chili recipe… The 20 Minute Chili recipe would be a bit faster! You’d love it!
But anyways, back to this Chili Cheese Tots recipe….
Sprinkle on some shredded cheese. You can really use whatever kind of cheese your heart desires! My favorite just happens to be pepper jack cheese.
Top it off with a bunch of (frozen) tater tots– and bake!
With it only being in a 400 degrees preheated oven for only 25 minutes, it gives the tater tots a perfect crunch! And, the cheese is all melty in between the crunchiness of the tots and the bubbling chili. You could even sprinkle more shredded cheese on top of the already crispy tater tots if you’d like!
Enjoy, my friends!
Makes enough for 4-6 servings.
- 4 cups of your favorite chili (This is a great way to use your leftover chili!)
- 2 cups of your favorite cheese, shredded (I used pepper jack cheese.)
- 16 ounces frozen tater tots
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Put chili in an 8 inch by 8 inch baking dish.
- Sprinkle on shredded cheese.
- Top it off with the tater tots.
- Bake for 25 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!
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These Chili Cheese Tots were shared and linked up to party with {A Little Clairification} & {Little Miss Celebration} & {Cooking With Curls} & {Snap Creativity}
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet says
Seriously my mouth watered as I was reading your post! Chili and tater tots, oh yes!!
Elizabeth @ Confessions of a Baking Queen says
OH MA GAWWW we just used up the leftover chilli!! Seriously cheese and tater tots!? You are our of your mind with amazing ideas!! I Freaking need this in my life stat!!
Elizabeth @ Confessions of a Baking Queen recently posted…Salted Caramel Snickerdoodles
Kelly says
Wow, this looks mouthwatering Gloria! I feel the same way about chili cheese fries and chili cheese baked potato, I can eat them all the time! But chili cheese tater tots? That’s genius!!! I can imagine how amazing these taste together! Pinned 🙂
Kelly recently posted…Pumpkin Dinner Buns and some NEWS!
Anne ~ Uni Homemaker says
Oh my goodness, I wish I saw this sooner. I just finished up a pot of chili. I love tater tots. Never thought of using it with chili. I’ll be putting this on my to-make list. Looks incredible Gloria! Pinned! 🙂 Happy Friday!
Anne ~ Uni Homemaker recently posted…Linguini with Roasted Red Pepper and Pancetta
sally @ sallys baking addiction says
WHAT a combination! Sounds like the perfect comfort food, especially for a chilly game day. I love your suggestion of adding MORE cheese on top. Love you for that!
sally @ sallys baking addiction recently posted…Crunchy Pumpkin Spice Granola.
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
I have leftover chili to use up – totally trying this!! Thank you for the idea!
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes recently posted…White Chocolate Biscoff Blondies
tahnycooks says
My boys are not so keen on eating the same thing twice in a row either (spoiled) so I will be trying this next time I make chili. I always have chili leftover because the pot I make is enough to feed 100. Clueless why I make so much?! Great pictures too! (I am ready to party tomorrow…FYI!)
tahnycooks recently posted…Hot Chocolate Marshmallow Fluff Cupcakes Dipped In Ganache
Tina @ Tina's Chic Corner says
I make a huge pot of chili and I’m always looking for different ways to gobble it up! Love this idea. 🙂 I wish I had this for dinner tonight.
Tina @ Tina’s Chic Corner recently posted…Italian Meat Sauce
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
I am making chili tonight and I love tater tots so I think I have a new dish to try, yum!
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor recently posted…Halloween Snack Mix Bites