
Loaded Reuben Totchos: A Delicious Twist on a Classic Sandwich
Are you ready for a flavor explosion that will redefine your appetizer game? Forget the same old nachos; we’re taking the iconic Reuben sandwich and transforming it into a shareable, craveable masterpiece: Loaded Reuben Totchos. This recipe combines crispy tater tots with all the classic Reuben ingredients – corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Thousand Island dressing – for a dish that’s both familiar and excitingly new.
These Reuben totchos are perfect for game day, casual gatherings, or even a fun weeknight dinner. They’re easy to make, incredibly satisfying, and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and let’s get ready to load up some tots!
## Why You’ll Love This Recipe
* **Unique and Delicious:** It’s a playful twist on the classic Reuben sandwich, offering a familiar flavor profile in a fun, shareable format.
* **Easy to Make:** With simple steps and readily available ingredients, this recipe comes together quickly and effortlessly.
* **Customizable:** You can easily adjust the toppings to suit your preferences, adding or substituting ingredients as desired.
* **Crowd-Pleasing:** Perfect for parties, game days, or any gathering where you want to impress your guests.
* **Comfort Food at its Finest:** Crispy tater tots, savory corned beef, tangy sauerkraut, and creamy Thousand Island dressing – it’s the ultimate comfort food combination.
## Ingredients You’ll Need
* **Tater Tots:** The foundation of our totchos! Use your favorite brand, frozen or fresh. A standard 32-ounce bag works well.
* **Corned Beef:** Sliced corned beef, preferably from the deli counter. Look for lean corned beef for the best results. About 1 pound should suffice.
* **Sauerkraut:** Drained sauerkraut is essential. Make sure to squeeze out as much excess liquid as possible to prevent soggy totchos. A 14-ounce can or bag will do.
* **Swiss Cheese:** Shredded Swiss cheese adds that classic Reuben flavor. About 2 cups should be enough.
* **Thousand Island Dressing:** The iconic Reuben sauce! Use your favorite brand or make your own (recipe below!). You’ll need about 1 cup.
* **Optional Toppings:** Chopped green onions, dill pickles, caraway seeds, or a drizzle of hot sauce for an extra kick.
### For Homemade Thousand Island Dressing (Optional):
* 1 cup mayonnaise
* 1/4 cup ketchup
* 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
* 1 tablespoon finely chopped onion
* 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
* 1/2 teaspoon paprika
* Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
## Equipment You’ll Need
* Baking Sheet: A large baking sheet is necessary to spread the tater tots in a single layer.
* Oven: For baking the tater tots and melting the cheese.
* Large Bowl: For mixing the corned beef and sauerkraut (optional).
* Small Bowl: For making the homemade Thousand Island dressing (optional).
* Cheese Grater: If you’re starting with a block of Swiss cheese.
* Measuring Cups and Spoons: For accurate ingredient measurements.
## Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these easy steps to create the ultimate Loaded Reuben Totchos:
**Step 1: Prepare the Tater Tots**
* Preheat your oven according to the package directions on your tater tots. Typically, this will be around 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
* Spread the tater tots in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. This ensures they will cook evenly and become crispy.
* Bake the tater tots according to the package instructions, usually around 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Flip them halfway through the cooking time for even browning.
**Step 2: Prepare the Reuben Toppings**
* While the tater tots are baking, prepare the Reuben toppings. If using deli-sliced corned beef, roughly chop it into bite-sized pieces.
* Drain the sauerkraut thoroughly. Place the sauerkraut in a colander and press out as much excess liquid as possible. This prevents the totchos from becoming soggy.
* In a large bowl (optional), you can combine the chopped corned beef and drained sauerkraut. This helps distribute the flavors evenly when topping the totchos.
* If making homemade Thousand Island dressing, whisk together all the ingredients in a small bowl until well combined. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
**Step 3: Assemble the Reuben Totchos**
* Once the tater tots are cooked and crispy, remove them from the oven.
* If you want extra insurance against soggy totchos, you can optionally broil the tots for a minute or two to make them extra crispy. Watch carefully to prevent burning!
* Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C).
* Spread the cooked tater tots evenly on the baking sheet.
* Evenly distribute the corned beef and sauerkraut mixture (or just the corned beef and then the sauerkraut) over the tater tots.
* Generously sprinkle the shredded Swiss cheese over the corned beef and sauerkraut.
**Step 4: Bake the Totchos**
* Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for 5-10 minutes, or until the Swiss cheese is melted and bubbly.
* Keep a close eye on the totchos to prevent the cheese from burning.
**Step 5: Drizzle and Serve**
* Remove the baking sheet from the oven.
* Drizzle generously with Thousand Island dressing.
* Garnish with your desired toppings, such as chopped green onions, dill pickles, or a sprinkle of caraway seeds.
* Serve immediately and enjoy! These are best enjoyed fresh and hot.
## Tips and Variations
* **Crispy Tots are Key:** Make sure your tater tots are cooked until they are nice and crispy. This will prevent them from becoming soggy under the toppings.
* **Drain the Sauerkraut Well:** As mentioned earlier, thoroughly draining the sauerkraut is crucial for preventing soggy totchos.
* **Use Quality Ingredients:** The quality of your ingredients will directly impact the flavor of the totchos. Opt for good-quality corned beef and Swiss cheese.
* **Make it Vegetarian:** Substitute the corned beef with plant-based corned beef alternatives or seasoned mushrooms for a vegetarian version.
* **Add a Kick:** Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the Thousand Island dressing or drizzle with hot sauce for a spicy kick.
* **Experiment with Cheese:** Try using a blend of Swiss and Gruyere cheese for a richer flavor.
* **Use Sweet Potato Tots:** For a slightly sweeter and healthier twist, use sweet potato tots instead of regular tater tots.
* **Deconstructed Totchos:** Serve the tater tots, corned beef, sauerkraut, cheese, and Thousand Island dressing in separate bowls and let everyone assemble their own totchos.
* **Smaller Portions:** Assemble the totchos on individual plates or bowls for easy serving.
## Serving Suggestions
* **Game Day Appetizer:** These Reuben totchos are the perfect appetizer for game day gatherings.
* **Casual Dinner:** Serve them as a fun and easy weeknight dinner.
* **Party Snack:** They’re a crowd-pleasing snack for any party or get-together.
* **Pairing Suggestions:** Serve with a side of coleslaw, potato salad, or a crisp green salad to complement the richness of the totchos. A cold beer or a refreshing iced tea also pairs well.
## Homemade Thousand Island Dressing Recipe (Detailed)
While store-bought Thousand Island dressing works perfectly well for this recipe, making your own allows you to control the ingredients and customize the flavor to your liking. Here’s a detailed recipe:
**Ingredients:**
* 1 cup mayonnaise: Use your favorite brand of mayonnaise. Full-fat mayonnaise will provide the richest flavor.
* 1/4 cup ketchup: Ketchup adds sweetness and tang to the dressing.
* 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish: Sweet pickle relish provides a delightful sweet and tangy crunch. You can also use dill pickle relish if you prefer a less sweet flavor.
* 1 tablespoon finely chopped onion: Finely chopped onion adds a subtle savory flavor.
* 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce: Worcestershire sauce adds depth and umami to the dressing.
* 1/2 teaspoon paprika: Paprika adds a smoky and slightly sweet flavor.
* Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional): If you like a little heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
**Instructions:**
1. **Combine the ingredients:** In a medium-sized bowl, combine the mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, finely chopped onion, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using).
2. **Whisk until smooth:** Whisk all the ingredients together until they are well combined and the dressing is smooth and creamy.
3. **Taste and adjust seasonings:** Taste the dressing and adjust the seasonings as needed. You may want to add more ketchup for sweetness, more Worcestershire sauce for depth, or more cayenne pepper for heat.
4. **Chill before serving:** For the best flavor, cover the bowl and refrigerate the dressing for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together.
**Tips for the Best Homemade Thousand Island Dressing:**
* **Use high-quality ingredients:** As with any recipe, using high-quality ingredients will result in the best flavor. Choose a good-quality mayonnaise, ketchup, and sweet pickle relish.
* **Finely chop the onion:** Make sure to finely chop the onion so that it doesn’t overpower the other flavors in the dressing.
* **Don’t overmix:** Avoid overmixing the dressing, as this can make it too thin. Just whisk until the ingredients are combined.
* **Adjust the sweetness:** If you prefer a less sweet dressing, use dill pickle relish instead of sweet pickle relish or reduce the amount of ketchup.
* **Add a touch of tang:** For a more tangy dressing, add a squeeze of lemon juice or a dash of white vinegar.
* **Storage:** Homemade Thousand Island dressing can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
## More Totcho Variations to Try
The possibilities for totcho toppings are endless! Here are a few other variations to inspire you:
* **Buffalo Chicken Totchos:** Top your tater tots with shredded chicken tossed in buffalo sauce, blue cheese crumbles, and a drizzle of ranch dressing.
* **Chili Cheese Totchos:** Load your tater tots with chili, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and chopped green onions.
* **BBQ Pulled Pork Totchos:** Top your tater tots with BBQ pulled pork, coleslaw, and a drizzle of BBQ sauce.
* **Pizza Totchos:** Spread your tater tots with pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, and your favorite pizza toppings.
* **Taco Totchos:** Top your tater tots with seasoned ground beef, shredded cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, and salsa.
## Conclusion
These Loaded Reuben Totchos are a fun and delicious twist on a classic sandwich that’s perfect for any occasion. With crispy tater tots, savory corned beef, tangy sauerkraut, melted Swiss cheese, and creamy Thousand Island dressing, they’re a flavor explosion in every bite. So, gather your ingredients and get ready to load up some tots! You won’t be disappointed.
Enjoy!