Loaded Nacho Fries Beef (Printable)
Crispy fries topped with spiced beef, smooth queso, and fresh Tex-Mex toppings, perfect for sharing.
# What You’ll Need:
→ 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 ratio 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
# How to Prepare:
01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss fries with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, and salt until evenly coated. Arrange in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking, until golden brown and crispy.
02 - While fries are baking, 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. Add finely chopped onion and minced garlic; sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
03 - Stir in ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, tomato paste, and water. Simmer for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens slightly. Remove from heat and set aside.
04 - In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux. Slowly whisk in whole milk until smooth and no lumps remain. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. Reduce heat to low, gradually add cheeses a handful at a time, stirring constantly until fully melted and smooth. Season with cayenne pepper and salt. Keep warm until ready to serve.
05 - Arrange hot seasoned fries on a large serving platter. Spoon spiced beef mixture evenly over the fries. Drizzle generously with warm queso sauce. Top with diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, chopped green onions, dollops of sour cream, and fresh cilantro. Serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The fries stay crispy instead of getting soggy like regular nachos often do
- You get layers of flavor in every single bite, from smoky spices to creamy cheese
- Its the kind of food that brings people together, crowding around the platter
02 -
- Work quickly when assembling—soggy fries are the enemy of good nachos
- Have all toppings prepped before the fries come out of the oven
- The queso thickens as it cools, so keep it warm until the last second
03 -
- Season each layer—a little salt on the tomatoes, a squeeze of lime on the beef
- Let the queso sauce sit for a minute off heat before drizzling for the perfect consistency