Preheating the Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C). This high temperature is crucial for achieving the perfect golden-brown and crispy tater tot shells.

Preparing the Tater Tot Cups

Arrange the frozen tater tots in a muffin tin, pressing them down gently to form individual cups. Bake the tater tots for 20 minutes, or until they’re golden and crispy.

Cooking the Taco Filling

While the tater tots are baking, cook the ground beef or turkey in a skillet over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess fat, then stir in the taco seasoning and water according to the package instructions. Simmer the mixture for about 5 minutes.

Filling and Baking the Tater Tot Cups

Once the tater tot cups are out of the oven, spoon the seasoned taco meat mixture into each one, filling them up. Top the meat with a generous amount of shredded cheddar cheese. Return the tater tot cups to the oven and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Garnishing and Serving

Remove the Cheesy Taco Stuffed Tater Tot Cups from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes. Top each cup with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, a dollop of sour cream, and a few sliced black olives. For an extra pop of flavor, sprinkle some chopped fresh cilantro on top if desired.

Serve these delectable Cheesy Taco Stuffed Tater Tot Cups warm and enjoy the perfect blend of crispy, cheesy, and taco-seasoned goodness in every bite!