Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef (or turkey)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 Tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 32 oz frozen tater tots (about 4 cups)
- Optional toppings: sliced green onions, sour cream, jalapeños
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 °F (200 °C).
- In a large skillet, cook ground beef and onion over medium heat until browned and soft, about 5–7 minutes.
- Add garlic; cook 1 minute more.
- Stir in chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper; cook for 30 seconds.
- Add beans and crushed tomatoes; stir and simmer 5–10 minutes.
- Spread chili mixture in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Sprinkle 1 cup cheddar cheese evenly on top.
- Arrange tater tots in a single layer over the cheese.
- Bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil if used, top with remaining cheese, and bake 5–10 more minutes until tots are golden and cheese is melted.
- Let rest 5 minutes, garnish as desired, and serve.
Notes
- Use ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version.
- Add diced jalapeños or hot sauce for heat.
- Include corn and bell pepper for a Tex-Mex twist.
- Try pepper jack cheese for extra spice.
- Make it vegetarian with beans or lentils instead of meat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 730mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
