Chili cheese tater tots! 
Cheap and quick meal!
Used about a half a bag of frozen tater tots, 1 can of chili and about 2 cups of cheese. Highly recommend adding seasonings to the chili for an extra kick.
-Make tots according to bag (I like mine crispier)
-Heat up canned chili, add seasonings and some cheese to melt.
Put hot chili mixture on top of tots and put more cheese on top. Put back in the oven until cheese is melted.
Cheesy Chili Tater Tot Bake
Ingredients:
- 1/2 bag frozen tater tots
- 1 can chili (your favorite variety)
- 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Mexican blend, or your choice)
- 1 teaspoon chili powder (optional, for extra kick)
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder (optional, for extra flavor)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Optional toppings: chopped green onions, sliced jalapeños, sour cream
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven according to the instructions on the tater tots package. Usually, it’s around 425°F (220°C) for crispy tots.
- Bake the Tater Tots: Spread the frozen tater tots in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake them in the preheated oven for a few minutes longer than the package suggests, or until they are golden and crispy. This ensures they stay crunchy even after adding the chili.
- Prepare the Chili: While the tater tots are baking, heat the canned chili in a saucepan over medium heat. If you like a little extra flavor and heat, add chili powder and cumin powder. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Let it simmer until heated through and flavorful.
- Add Cheese: Stir in a handful of shredded cheese into the chili and mix until it’s well incorporated and melty. This gives your chili an extra cheesy kick.
- Assemble the Dish: Once the tater tots are crispy and golden brown, take them out of the oven. Carefully spoon the hot, cheesy chili over the tater tots. Make sure to distribute it evenly.
- Top with More Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese generously over the chili layer. This will create a gooey, cheesy topping.
- Bake Again: Place the baking sheet back in the oven just until the cheese on top melts and becomes bubbly. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes.
- Serve Hot: Remove from the oven and let it cool for a minute or two. Garnish with your favorite toppings like chopped green onions, sliced jalapeños, or a dollop of sour cream.
- Enjoy: Serve your delicious and budget-friendly chili cheese tater tot bake immediately. It’s a perfect dish for a quick, satisfying meal or a snack for a movie night!
