If you know our family, you know game day isn't complete without Johnny in full tailgate mode - cooler packed, folding chairs unloaded, grill going before the parking lot even fills up. Back when we had season tickets and made the trek to Raymond James for Bucs games, this recipe was one of our go-tos. It travels well, it feeds a crowd, and it disappears fast!

These days we don't get out to as many games, but that hasn't stopped this recipe from earning permanent status in our house. Whether it's on the TV at home or we're actually in the stands, the kids ask for these tater tot nachos every single time there's a game on. Johnny's given it his official tailgate-tested seal of approval, which in our house is basically a Michelin star.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• One sheet pan, minimal cleanup - perfect when you'd rather be watching the game than doing dishes
• Crispy tater tots instead of chips means less breakage and more sturdy, loaded bites
• Feeds 6-8 people without a big grocery bill
• Kid-approved, crowd-approved, Johnny-approved

Ingredients

• 2 lb bag tater tots
• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 oz taco seasoning
• 15.5 oz can pinto beans
• 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup shredded lettuce
• 1 roma tomato, diced
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 jalapeno, sliced

Tools You'll Need

• Measuring cups
• Cutting board
• Knife
• Large skillet
• Silicone spatula
• Sheet pan

Directions

Prep your toppings. Chop the lettuce, tomato, and jalapeno and set aside.

Bake the tots. Preheat your oven and line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Bake the tater tots according to the package directions. Mine took about 15 minutes at 410 degrees, flipping halfway through.

Brown the beef. Add the ground beef to a large skillet and cook over medium heat, breaking it apart as it cooks, until it's no longer pink. Drain any excess grease.

Season it up. Stir the taco seasoning into the meat, then add the pinto beans and stir to combine.

Layer and melt. Once the tots are done, cover them with 1 cup of the cheese, then the beef and bean mixture, then the remaining ½ cup of cheese. Bake for an additional 3-5 minutes, just until the cheese is melted.

Top it off. Sprinkle with lettuce and tomatoes, add dollops of sour cream, and finish with jalapeno slices.

Serve and enjoy!

Tara's Tips

• If you're feeding a real tailgate crowd, this recipe doubles easily on two sheet pans
• A silicone spatula makes breaking up the ground beef so much easier
• Want a little extra kick? Add a drizzle of hot sauce or a scoop of pickled jalapenos

Serving Suggestions

Pair these nachos with cowboy caviar Crispy Parmesan Breaded Tortellini Bites for a lighter side, or set them out alongside Buffalo Chicken Potato Skins for the ultimate game day spread.

Yield: 7

Sheet Pan Beef Tater Tot Nachos

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Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 lb bag tater tots
• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 oz taco seasoning
• 15.5 oz can pinto beans
• 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup shredded lettuce
• 1 roma tomato, diced
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 jalapeno, sliced

Instructions

1. Chop the lettuce, tomato, and jalapeno.
2. Preheat the oven, line a sheet pan with parchment paper and bake the tater tots according to the package directions. My brand was 15 minutes at 410 degrees, flipping halfway through.
3. Add the ground beef to a large skillet and cook over medium heat, breaking the meat apart as it cooks, until it is no longer pink. Drain any grease.
4. Stir the taco seasoning into the meat, then the pinto beans.
5. Once the tots are done, cover them with one cup of the cheese, then the ground beef mixer, then the remaining half cup of cheese. Bake for an additional 3-5 minutes to melt the cheese.
6. Now sprinkle with lettuce and tomatoes, then drop dollops of sour cream, and sprinkle the jalapeno slices.
7. Enjoy! 

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

7

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 562Total Fat: 25gSaturated Fat: 8gUnsaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 73mgSodium: 995mgCarbohydrates: 57gFiber: 10gSugar: 2gProtein: 29g

Storage Notes

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. The tots will soften a bit, but a quick reheat in the oven or air fryer brings back some crispness. I don't recommend freezing since the toppings don't hold up well.