Mac & Cheese Tots (Printable Version)

# What You’ll Need:

→ Base with Tater Tots

01 - Cooking oil spray or grease for the pan
02 - 2 cups of frozen tater tots

→ Cheeseburger Mixture

03 - 1/4 teaspoon of onion powder
04 - 1 cup of macaroni pasta (elbow shape)
05 - 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder
06 - 1/2 pound of ground beef
07 - Salt and black pepper, as much as you like
08 - 2 tablespoons of plain flour
09 - 2 tablespoons of butter
10 - 1 1/2 cups of cheddar cheese, shredded
11 - 1 cup of milk

→ Extra Toppings (Optional)

12 - 2 tablespoons of ketchup
13 - 1/4 cup of diced pickles

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Turn oven on to 425°F and grease a muffin pan with spray or oil.
02 - Pop 4-5 tots into each muffin slot and bake for 10 minutes. Smash them down with a spoon to form cups, then back in the oven for another 10 minutes until they turn crispy.
03 - Cook your macaroni like the box says, then drain it and set aside.
04 - Crumble and cook ground beef in a medium-hot pan. Sprinkle on garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir and cook til no pink remains, then drain off the grease.
05 - Melt butter in a small pot, stir in flour, and cook for about a minute. Slowly stir in milk and keep cooking til it thickens. Add shredded cheddar and stir until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
06 - Combine cooked macaroni, beef, and your cheesy sauce in a big bowl or pot. Stir well to blend it all together.
07 - Fill each tater tot cup with the beefy macaroni mixture. Gently press it in.
08 - Put the cups back in the oven for about 10 minutes, or until they're warm through and golden on top.
09 - If you'd like, sprinkle pickles on top and drizzle ketchup before serving.

# Additional Notes:

01 - Let the tater tots cool down briefly before shaping for crispier results.