Author Notes
Macaroni, make way for tater tots. Baked until crispy, smothered in cheese sauce, and then broiled until bubbly and colorful, this sheet-pan-style casserole was made to be served alongside a mustard-dressed salad. A cold beer wouldn't hurt, either. —Emma Laperruque
Test Kitchen Notes
Featured in: For the Best Mac and Cheese, Use Tater Tots —The Editors
Ingredients
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2 1/2 pounds
frozen tater tots
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1/4 cup
unsalted butter
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6 tablespoons
all-purpose flour
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3 3/4 cups
whole milk, warmed
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4 cups
grated extra-sharp cheddar (about 12 ounces), divided
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1/2 teaspoon
kosher salt
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1 teaspoon
ground mustard
Directions
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Heat the oven to 450° F. Add the tots to a rimmed sheet tray. Bake for about 25 minutes until very colorful and crisp.
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Meanwhile, make the cheese sauce. Melt the butter in a medium pot. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute. Add a splash of milk. Whisk until smooth. Another splash. Whisk. Repeat this until you’ve added all the milk. Continue to cook—whisking constantly but slowly—until the béchamel is thick enough to coat a spoon and the whisk leaves a trail. Add half the grated cheese, plus the salt and mustard. Whisk until smooth. Taste and adjust the seasoning as necessary (just remember, the tots are salty!).
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When the tots are done, remove from the oven. Turn on the broiler. Pour the cheese sauce evenly over the tots and use a rubber spatula to smooth out. Sprinkle with the rest of the cheese. Slider under the broiler. Depending on your oven, you may need to rotate the sheet pan to encourage evenness—the goal is bubbly and browned.
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Let cool for a few minutes. Serve hot.
Emma was the food editor at Food52. She created the award-winning column, Big Little Recipes, and turned it into a cookbook in 2021. These days, she's a senior editor at Bon Appétit, leading digital cooking coverage. Say hello on Instagram at @emmalaperruque.
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