Loaded Nacho Fries Beef (Printable Version)
Crispy fries layered with seasoned beef, creamy cheese sauce, and fresh bold toppings for tasty enjoyment.
# Ingredient List:
→ For the Fries
01 - 1.5 lbs frozen or fresh French fries
02 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
03 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
04 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
05 - 1/2 tsp salt
06 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ For the Beef
07 - 1 lb ground beef
08 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
09 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 1 tbsp taco seasoning
11 - 1/4 cup water
12 - Salt and pepper, to taste
→ For the Queso Sauce
13 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
14 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
15 - 1 cup whole milk
16 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
17 - 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
18 - 1/4 tsp ground cumin
19 - 1/4 tsp chili powder
20 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
21 - Salt, to taste
→ Toppings
22 - 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
23 - 1/3 cup sliced jalapeños (fresh or pickled)
24 - 1/4 cup sliced green onions
25 - 1/4 cup sour cream
26 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
# Directions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 425°F. Spread the fries on a large baking sheet in a single layer. Sprinkle evenly with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden and crispy, tossing halfway through cooking.
02 - While fries bake, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook for 2 minutes, breaking up with a spoon. Add chopped onion and cook until beef is browned and onion is soft, about 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in garlic, taco seasoning, and water. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until thickened. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
03 - Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Cook, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cheddar, Monterey Jack, cumin, chili powder, and cayenne. Return to low heat and stir until cheese melts completely and sauce is smooth. Season with salt to taste.
04 - Transfer the crispy fries to a large platter. Top with seasoned beef mixture. Pour the warm queso sauce evenly over the beef and fries. Sprinkle with diced tomatoes, jalapeños, green onions, sour cream, and cilantro.
05 - Serve the loaded nacho fries while hot, with extra toppings on the side if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The combination of crispy seasoned fries and velvety queso creates texture magic that potato wedges or tortilla chips just cant match
- Everything comes together in under an hour, but it looks and tastes like something from a sports bar that took all day
02 -
- Work quickly once the queso is ready because it thickens as it cools and becomes harder to drizzle
- Serve immediately after assembling because the fries start losing their crunch within about ten minutes under all those toppings
03 -
- Grate your cheese from blocks instead of using pre-shredded bags for the smoothest queso
- Line your baking sheet with parchment paper for easier cleanup