Loaded Nacho Fries Beef (Printable)
Crispy fries layered with spiced beef, creamy queso, and fresh toppings for a flavorful Tex-Mex treat.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Fries Base
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
→ Seasoned 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
→ 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
→ Fresh Toppings
22 - 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
23 - 1/3 cup sliced jalapeños
24 - 1/4 cup sliced green onions
25 - 1/4 cup sour cream
26 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
# How to Prepare:
01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Spread fries in single layer on baking sheet. Season evenly with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Bake 25–30 minutes until golden and crispy, tossing halfway through cooking.
02 - Heat skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef, breaking up with spoon, cook 2 minutes. Add chopped onion and cook until beef browned and onion soft, 5–6 minutes. Stir in garlic, taco seasoning, and water. Simmer 2–3 minutes until thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
03 - Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour, cook 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Cook, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened, 2–3 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in cheddar, Monterey Jack, cumin, chili powder, and cayenne. Return to low heat, stir until cheese melts and sauce smooth. Season with salt.
04 - Transfer crispy fries to large serving platter. Top with seasoned ground beef mixture. Pour warm queso sauce evenly over beef and fries. Sprinkle with diced tomatoes, jalapeños, green onions, and cilantro. Dollop sour cream across top.
05 - Serve immediately while fries remain crispy and cheese sauce warm. Offer extra toppings on side for guests to customize.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The homemade queso sauce is dangerously good and way better than anything from a jar
- You get all the satisfaction of nachos with the addictive crunch of perfectly seasoned fries
02 -
- The queso sauce thickens as it cools, so keep it warm while you prep everything else
- Work quickly once the fries come out of the oven so they stay crispy
03 -
- Don't overcrowd the baking sheet or the fries will steam instead of crisp up
- Grate your own cheese because pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that make sauce grainy