Cheesy Taters

It has been a long time since I've posted a new recipe, but here is one I really like. It's easy and delicious.  Something even your moody teenagers and picky eaters will love. I got the idea for it from eating something similar at Whiskey Cake restaurant in Round Rock, TX. This makes a full sheet pan, 11X17", of Cheesy Taters. That will feed around 12 hungry people as a side dish.

Ingredients: 

4lbs. Frozen Tater Tots (I used Great Value Taters from Walmart)

3 1/2 C. shredded sharp cheddar cheese

2 C. shredded mozzarella cheese

3 T chopped green onion tops

3 T canned chopped mild green chilis

1/2 cup real bacon bits (store-bought is fine, but I make my own)

Salt to taste

Directions: Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Place 4lbs of frozen tater tots on an 11x17" baking sheet lined with parchment paper. They should be pretty crowded on the sheet.  Sprinkle with a little salt--not a lot. Bake 24-26 minutes until crispy, turning with a spatula halfway through cooking time. 

Take pan out of oven and lower oven temperature to 350 degrees. About 15 minutes before serving, sprinkle cheddar cheese on top of cooked taters. Then sprinkle chopped onions and bacon bits (by hand) evenly over the cheese. Do the same with the mild chilis (they should be pretty sparse). Cover all with an even layer of mozzarella cheese. Put in the oven for 15 minutes and serve with a spatula for people to help themselves to their own portions. It should be pretty gooey, and the taters should stick together.