Pioneer Woman Queso Totchos

This easy and delicious Pioneer Woman Queso Totchos recipe is the perfect comfort food for any occasion. Crispy tater tots smothered in creamy chorizo queso, topped with pickled red onions and fresh cilantro,it’s hot, cheesy, and customizable with your favorite ingredients. A quick and crowd-pleasing dish everyone will love!

Ingredients Needed

For the Pickled Red Onions:

• 1 large red onion, sliced thinly
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

For the Totchos:

• 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 (28-ounce) bag frozen tater tots

For the Queso:

• 1 pound fresh chorizo, casings removed
• 1 small yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
• 12 ounces processed cheese (like Velveeta), cubed
• 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chiles (such as Rotel)
• 1 (4-ounce) can chopped green chiles

For Serving:

• 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced
• 1 (2.25-ounce) can sliced black olives, drained
• Fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped

How To Make Queso Totchos

1. Preheat the oven and prep the baking sheet: Preheat your oven to 425°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
2. Pickle the onions: Place the thinly sliced red onions in a heatproof container. In a small saucepan, combine the apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and 1/2 cup of water. Bring it to a boil, stirring until the sugar and salt dissolve. Pour the hot liquid over the onions and press down to submerge. Let the onions cool to room temperature for about 30 minutes. Cover and set aside.
3. Prepare the totchos: In a small bowl, mix the onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper. Spread the frozen tater tots in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle the spice mixture evenly over the tots and toss them to coat. Bake for 24-26 minutes, or until crispy and golden brown.
4. Make the queso: While the totchos are baking, heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chorizo and diced yellow onion. Cook, breaking up the chorizo with a spoon, for 3-4 minutes, until browned and the onion is softened. Drain any excess fat, then return the skillet to medium-high heat. Add the processed cheese, diced tomatoes with green chiles, and chopped green chiles. Stir and cook until the cheese has melted and the queso is smooth, about 2 minutes. Keep warm.
5. Assemble the totchos: Once the totchos are crispy, divide them into two sections on the baking sheet. Spoon a generous layer of queso over the center of the tots. Top with jalapeño slices, black olives, pickled red onions, and cilantro. Add the remaining tater tots on top, then spoon another layer of queso. Finish by topping with the remaining jalapeños, olives, cilantro, and pickled red onions. Serve any leftover queso in a bowl on the side for dipping.

Recipe Tips

• Don’t Overcrowd the Tater Tots: Spread the tater tots evenly on the baking sheet to ensure they get crispy. Overcrowding will make them soggy.
• Use Fresh Chorizo for Best Flavor: Fresh chorizo adds a rich, flavorful taste to the queso. Don’t substitute with pre-cooked chorizo for the best results.
• Customize Your Toppings: Feel free to switch up the toppings! You can use jalapeños, olives, or even add some diced tomatoes for extra freshness.
• Keep the Queso Warm: Once the queso is made, keep it warm until serving. If it thickens too much, just add a splash of milk to loosen it up.
• Make Extra Pickled Onions: The pickled onions are a great addition to other dishes like tacos or sandwiches, so make more than you need!

How To Store & Reheat Leftovers

• Refrigerate: Let the leftover Queso Totchos cool down to room temperature before storing them in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days.
• Freeze: It’s not recommended to freeze Queso Totchos, as the tater tots may become soggy when reheated. Instead, store any leftover queso in a separate container in the freezer for up to 1 month. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge and then warm gently on the stove or in the microwave.
• Reheating: Reheat  leftover Queso Totchos  in a 375°F oven for 10-12 minutes or microwave for 1-2 minutes; warm queso on low heat or in the microwave.

Nutrition Fact

Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1 cup)

• Calories: 504 kcal
• Total Fat: 31 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Cholesterol: 72 mg
• Sodium: 736 mg
• Potassium: 586 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 35 g
• Dietary Fiber: 5 g
• Sugars: 1 g
• Protein: 22 g

More Pioneer Woman Recipes:

• Pioneer Woman Popcorn Chicken
• Pioneer Woman Cheeseburger Wontons
• Pioneer Woman Layered Cheeseburger Dip Recipe
• Pioneer Woman Bacon Cheeseburger Dip
• Pioneer Woman Hawaiian Roast Beef Sliders