Taco Tots
It never occurred to me to pair taco meat and potatoes until one lunch at my brother-in-law David’s house. He suggested taco baked potatoes, and I was intrigued. All I remember is how good it was!
Growing up we had tacos in the true American fashion – Old El Paso taco kits. you know what I’m talking about: crunchy corn tortillas, a packet of seasoning, and taco sauce with the usual cheese and lettuce toppings. Truly a favorite… and to this day, I still love a crunchy beef taco.
I don’t recall when tots came into my life, but my life is better for it. One of my favorite scenes in Napoleon Dynamite is when Napoleon takes Pedro’s tots. (You know Pedro wanted those tots!)
Anyway, I found the pairing of taco meat & tots surprisingly good! At your next party, treat your friends and family to this super easy, tasty, fun appetizer!
I Par baked the tots and smashed them into a Pampered Chef Mini Muffin Tin with a Pampered Chef Mini Tart Shaper.
I browned ground beef with onion, Wildtree Taco Seasoning.
Tip: The Pampered Chef Mix’N Chop makes breaking of the meat a cinch.
I Filled each tot nest with seasoned taco meat and baked another 15 minutes.
I topped mine with Wildtree Taco Sauce and my homemade sweet pickled jalapeños. (Optional toppings include cheese, sour cream, guacamole, diced tomatoes or pico de gallo – any of which would be super tasty!)
- 1 bag tots
- 1/2 lb ground beef
- 1/2 medium onion, diced
- 2T taco seasoning (or 1 packet)
- salt to taste
- Preheat oven to 425°,
- Grease muffin tin,
- Place 3 tops in each mini muffin hole.
- Bake 10 minutes.
- Brown ground beef with onion.
- Drain fat when cooked.
- Stir in taco seasoning.
- Tamp down tots into muffin tin well making a cup shape.
- Add 1T taco meat into each potato cup.
- Return to oven and bake another 15 minutes.
- Remove from tin and top with favorite taco toppings and serve!
