Stovetop
Ground Pork
Ground Pork Loaded Potato Tots
Crispy potato tots baked in a cast iron skillet with smoky seasoned ground pork, melted cheddar cheese, BBQ drizzle, and fresh cilantro - the perfect easy comfort food recipe.
Prep:
10 minutes
Cook:
35 minutes
Serves:
4-6
Best Cuts:
Cooking Method:
Ingredients
- 1 bag potato tots (approximately 28 oz / 794 g)
- 1 lb (454 g) ground pork
- ½ tsp (2.5 mL) salt
- ½ tsp (2.5 mL) black pepper
- ¼ tsp (1.25 mL) cayenne pepper
- 2 tsp (10 mL) chili powder
- 1 tsp (5 mL) ground cumin
- 1 tsp (5 mL) paprika
- 1 tsp (5 mL) dried cilantro
- 1 tbsp (15 mL) minced garlic
- 1½ cups (170 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup (60 mL) BBQ sauce, for drizzling
- 2 tbsp (8 g) fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C)
Step 2
Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground pork and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon until browned. Stir in the minced garlic, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, chili powder, cumin, paprika, and dried cilantro. Cook for another 2–3 minutes until the pork is fully cooked and the spices are fragrant.
Step 3
While the pork is cooking, cook the frozen potato tots in the air fryer according to the package directions until golden brown and crispy.
Step 4
Transfer the cooked potato tots directly into the cast iron skillet with the seasoned ground pork. Gently toss everything together, then sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
Step 5
Transfer the cast iron skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the cheddar cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 6
Remove from the oven, drizzle generously with BBQ sauce, garnish with freshly chopped cilantro, and serve immediately.
Optional Toppings:
Try adding: jalapeños, sour cream, green onions, bacon bits, avocado, hot sauce.
