When we went to Disney World a couple of years ago, we packed our own sandwiches and snacks for the parks—because let’s be real, I’d much rather be zipping through rides than standing in a food line!
That said, we did make room for a couple of on-site meals, especially with Disney’s mobile ordering (a total game-changer!). You can literally place your order while walking to the restaurant, then saunter right up and grab your food—no lines, no stress. I couldn’t believe how many people weren’t using it!
One of our favourite meals? The Totchos at Roundup Rodeo BBQ in Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios. They were everything: crispy, cheesy, and totally crave-worthy. Naturally, I had to recreate them at home—and let me tell you, this DIY version brings the magic right to your kitchen!
Craving comfort food with a bold, crowd-pleasing twist? Meet Totchos with Nacho Cheese Sauce—a playful mash-up of crispy tater tots and classic nachos that’s as fun to eat as it is to make. This ‘meal-in-a-bowl’ is loaded with hearty chili, creamy queso, juicy tomatoes, crunchy corn chips, a dollop of sour cream, and a sprinkle of green onions for a fresh finish. But the real star? A rich, velvety homemade nacho cheese sauce with a kick of buffalo heat and just the right blend of spices. Perfect for game day, movie night, or any time you’re feeding a hungry crowd, this recipe is guaranteed to disappear fast!
TOTCHOS RECIPE TIPS AND FAQ
What can I use for chili?
Of course, my go-to is the sweet and smoky chili recipe I’ve developed (it’s a fave for a reason!), but honestly—use whatever chili you love. At Disney, they serve a classic beef and kidney bean version, but you can totally keep it vegetarian if you’d like. Dietitian tip: don’t skip the beans! They’re packed with fibre and make the dish extra satisfying.
Confession: I usually keep a few cans of chili in the pantry for those spontaneous Totchos cravings. But now that we’ve upgraded to a bigger deep freezer, my new plan is to make a big batch of chili and freeze it in smaller portions—so I can grab a bag anytime and whip up this recipe in a flash!
What other toppings can I use?
I’ve also been known to toss on some chopped lettuce to sneak in a few extra veggies—and if I’ve got guacamole in the fridge, you better believe it’s going on top too. I think diced bell peppers or a few jalapeño slices would be awesome additions if you’re looking to kick things up a notch!
Totchos with Nacho Cheese Sauce
For the Totchos
- Tater tots
- Chili
- Nacho Cheese Sauce (see below for recipe)
- Tomatoes (diced)
- Corn Chips
- Sour Cream
- Green Onions
For the Nacho Cheese Sauce
- ¾ cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp Buffalo Sauce (ie: Frank’s Red Hot)
- ¼ tsp chili powder
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
Nacho Cheese Sauce
- In a medium sized pot, whisk together the milk, egg, buffalo sauce, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt.
- Heat over medium until it comes to a simmer.
- Meanwhile, toss the shredded cheddar cheese with the cornstarch.
- Once the milk mixture comes to a simmer, start whisking in the cheese, a spoonful at a time. Allow the cheese to melt and blend into the sauce before each addition.
- Once all the cheese is melted, cook for one minute while whisking and then remove from the heat.
Totchos Assembly
Bake the tater tots according to the package instructions.
While the tater tots are baking, make the nacho cheese sauce.
Once the tater tots and nacho cheese sauce are ready, assemble your bowls by layering tater tots, chili, cheese sauce, tomatoes, green onions, corn chips, and a dollop of sour cream.
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