Chili Cheese Dog Tater Tot Casserole (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ For the Chili Base

01 - 1 pound ground beef
02 - 1 onion, chopped
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
05 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
06 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
07 - 1 teaspoon paprika
08 - 2 teaspoons chili powder
09 - 1 tablespoon minced garlic
10 - 4 hot dogs, chopped
11 - 10 oz can Rotel, drained
12 - 15.5 oz can chili beans
13 - 3 tablespoons tomato paste

→ For the Topping

14 - 1 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese
15 - Crispy crowns (tater tots) from a 30 oz bag

→ For Serving

16 - 2 green onions, chopped
17 - Mustard

# Instructions:

01 - Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat and brown the ground beef with the chopped onion. Season with the salt, pepper, cumin, paprika, chili powder, and onion powder. Once the beef is fully cooked, drain any extra grease from the skillet.
02 - Add the minced garlic and chopped hot dogs to the skillet and stir everything together well. Add the drained Rotel, chili beans, and tomato paste. Stir until it's all fully combined and let it simmer for a few minutes.
03 - Sprinkle the shredded Colby Jack cheese evenly over the chili mixture. Arrange the crispy crowns (tater tots) on top in a single layer, covering the whole surface. You won't use the whole bag - just enough to cover the top.
04 - Put the skillet in the oven at 400 degrees and bake for about 25 minutes until the tater tots are golden and crispy. If you want them extra crispy, turn on the broiler for a few minutes at the end - just watch them closely so they don't burn.
05 - Take it out of the oven and top with chopped green onions. Serve hot with mustard on the side for drizzling. Enjoy!

# Notes:

01 - This is perfect game day or party food - everyone loves this combination!
02 - Make sure your skillet is oven-safe before putting it in the oven.
03 - You won't use the whole bag of tater tots - just enough to cover the top in a single layer.
04 - Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days, though the tater tots won't be as crispy when reheated.

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