Loaded Nacho Fries Beef (Printable Version)
Crispy fries layered with spiced beef, queso sauce, and fresh toppings in a Tex-Mex style dish.
# Ingredient List:
→ Fries
01 - 1.5 lbs frozen or fresh French fries
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
04 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
05 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
06 - 1/2 tsp chili powder
07 - 1/2 tsp salt
→ Beef
08 - 1 lb ground beef, 80/20 preferred
09 - 1/2 small onion, finely chopped
10 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
11 - 1 tsp ground cumin
12 - 1 tsp chili powder
13 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
14 - 1/2 tsp salt
15 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
16 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
17 - 1/4 cup water
→ Queso Sauce
18 - 1 tbsp unsalted butter
19 - 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
20 - 1 cup whole milk
21 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
22 - 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
23 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
24 - 1/4 tsp salt
→ Toppings
25 - 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
26 - 1/4 cup sliced jalapeños, fresh or pickled
27 - 1/4 cup chopped green onions
28 - 1/4 cup sour cream
29 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss fries with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, and salt until evenly coated. Spread in a single layer on a large baking sheet.
02 - Bake fries for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking, until golden brown and crispy. Remove from oven and set aside.
03 - While fries bake, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook for 5-6 minutes, breaking up with a spatula, until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
04 - Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
05 - Stir in cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, tomato paste, and water. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until mixture thickens. Remove from heat.
06 - In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to form a roux.
07 - Slowly whisk in whole milk until smooth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened, stirring frequently.
08 - Reduce heat to low. Add shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses a handful at a time, stirring until completely melted and smooth. Stir in cayenne pepper and salt. Keep warm.
09 - Arrange hot, crispy fries on a large serving platter. Spoon seasoned beef evenly over the fries. Drizzle generously with warm queso sauce.
10 - Top with diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, chopped green onions, sour cream, and fresh cilantro. Serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The homemade queso sauce puts that jar stuff to shame and comes together in minutes
- Seasoning the actual fries means every bite has flavor, not just the toppings
02 -
- Do not add the cheese to high heat or the sauce will separate and become grainy
- Everything needs to be hot when you assemble or the cheese congeals fast
03 -
- Shred your own cheese instead of buying pre-shredded bags for the smoothest queso
- Double the seasoning blend on the fries if you like them extra bold