Tater Tot Tacos with Homemade Nacho Cheese Sauce

• 24 oz tater tots or rounds

Taco Meat:

• 1 lb lean ground beef or turkey
• 8 oz can tomato sauce
• 1 Tbsp taco seasoning
• 1 ½ Tbsp light brown sugar
• 1 ½ Tbsp sour cream

Homemade Nacho Cheese Sauce:

• 2 Tbsp butter
• 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups milk
• 1 ½ cups shredded cheese (any cheese that melts well: white cheddar, mild/medium cheddar, pepper jack, etc.)
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
• ¼ tsp chili powder
• 4 oz can diced green chiles

Extras:

• Shredded Lettuce
• Shredded Cheese
• Sour Cream
• Sliced Olives

• Prepare the tater tots according to package directions. While they cook, make the taco meat.
• Taco Meat: Brown the ground beef or turkey in a skillet and drain any excess grease (if using turkey, drainage may not be necessary). Stir in the tomato sauce, taco seasoning, and brown sugar. Let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes, then stir in the sour cream and keep warm.
• Nacho Cheese Sauce: In a saucepan, melt the butter and whisk in the flour to form a roux. Gradually add the milk while whisking constantly until smooth. Add the cayenne, chili powder, and diced green chiles. Continue to whisk until the sauce comes to a gentle boil and begins to thicken. Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheese until fully melted. Taste and adjust spices if you prefer more heat; keep the sauce warm.
• To Serve: Arrange a layer of tater tots, spoon the taco meat over them, drizzle with nacho cheese sauce, then add shredded lettuce, extra shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and sliced olives as desired. Serve immediately so the tots stay crisp and the cheese remains creamy.