Ingredients
To bring this delightful dish to life, you’ll need a few simple ingredients, most of which you might already have in your pantry. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie chicken works great)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 1/4 cup pickled jalapeños, chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 cups frozen tater tots
- 1 tablespoon butter
Feel free to substitute the cheeses with your favorites or adjust the jalapeños for more or less heat. This dish is all about making it your own!
Instructions
Ready to dive into this delicious adventure? Let’s get cooking!
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter.
- Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked macaroni, shredded chicken, cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, milk, ranch dressing, chopped jalapeños, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until everything is well incorporated.
- Pour the macaroni mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Arrange the tater tots in an even layer over the top of the macaroni mixture.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy. The sauce should be bubbling around the edges.
- Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy the delightful crunch of the tater tots with the creamy, cheesy macaroni beneath.
Cooking is as much about the senses as it is about the ingredients. I always remember my abuela saying, “Listen to the food, it’ll tell you when it’s ready.”
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International