Sheet Pan Southern Mac and Cheese with Tater Tot Topping

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-02 · Updated 2026-07-02

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

A comforting baked macaroni and cheese casserole topped with crispy golden tater tots for a fun twist on a classic. This American-inspired comfort-food recipe, ready in about 55 minutes, pairs elbow macaroni, unsalted butter, all-purpose flour for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 40 min Serves 6 American cuisine 520 cal/serving

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Ingredients

12 oz elbow macaroni
4 tbsp unsalted butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups whole milk
3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
2 cups frozen tater tots

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook 12 oz elbow macaroni for 7 minutes until al dente, then drain and set aside.
Step 2: In a large saucepan, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in 1/4 cup all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until it bubbles and turns a light golden color.
Step 3: Gradually whisk in 3 cups whole milk, continuing to whisk constantly until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.
Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese and 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese until melted and smooth. Season with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp smoked paprika.
Step 5: Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce, then spread evenly in a greased 9x13-inch sheet pan.
Step 6: Arrange 2 cups frozen tater tots evenly on top of the macaroni and cheese. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the tater tots are crispy and golden, and the cheese sauce is bubbly.
Step 7: Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.