Smothered Potato Tot Nachos

Name: Smothered Potato Tot Nachos
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Mexican,
Ingredients: 3 tbsps unsalted butter; 1/4 cup all-purpose flour; 1 tbsp Taco Seasoning Mix (reserve remaining mix for tots); 3 cups milk heated; 4 oz cream cheese softened; 2 cups grated sharp Cheddar cheese; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1 bag (28 oz) frozen potato tots; 2 tbsps Taco Seasoning Mix; 1 cup diced tomatoes; 1/4 cup pickled sliced jalapeno peppers; 1/4 cup sliced green onions; 2 tbsps fresh cilantro leaves; 1/2 avocado chopped; 1/2 cup shredded lettuce optional; 1/4 cup crumbled cooked bacon optional

The whole family will go crazy for these next-level nachos. Pour our Perfect Cheese Sauce (featuring McCormick® Taco Seasoning) over baked potato tots and add your favorite toppings.

Recipe created by two-time "Chopped" champ, Chef James Briscione. He brings creati...

Ingredients

Perfect Cheese Sauce
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon McCormick® Original Taco Seasoning Mix, (reserve remaining mix for tots)
3 cups milk, heated
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 cups grated sharp Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Potato Tot Nachos
1 bag (28 ounces) frozen potato tots
2 tablespoons McCormick® Original Taco Seasoning Mix
1 cup diced tomatoes
1/4 cup pickled sliced jalapeno peppers
1/4 cup sliced green onions
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves
1/2 avocado, chopped
1/2 cup shredded lettuce, optional
1/4 cup crumbled cooked bacon, optional

KEY PRODUCTS

INSTRUCTIONS

1 For the Perfect Cheese Sauce, melt the butter in a medium saucepot over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring often, until a thick paste forms and turns golden brown. Stir in the taco seasoning and cook 30 seconds more.
2 Gradually whisk in the milk, adding 1 cup at a time. Allow the mixture to come to a simmer before adding the next. It will be extremely thick at first and will thin with each addition. When all the milk is added bring the sauce to a simmer and cook 5 more minutes. Whisk in the cream cheese.
3 Remove the sauce from the heat. Add the Cheddar and Parmesan and whisk until smooth. The sauce keeps refrigerated for up to 2 weeks or frozen for 6 months. If using from cold, carefully bring the sauce back to a boil before serving.
4 For the Potato Tot Nachos, arrange the potato tots in a single layer on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with the taco seasoning. Bake according to package instructions. Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.
5 Transfer the potato tots to a large platter, stacking them no more than two high. Pour the Perfect Cheese Sauce over the tots. Garnish with the tomatoes, jalapenos, scallions, cilantro and avocado. Sprinkle with the lettuce and bacon, if using.