Loaded Nacho Fries Beef (Print Version)
Crispy fries topped with spiced beef, creamy queso, jalapeños, tomatoes, and fresh herbs for bold flavors.
# 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 blend 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
# Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss fries with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, and salt. Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crisp.
02 - Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned for 5-6 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed. Add onion and garlic; sauté 2-3 minutes until softened.
03 - Stir in cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, tomato paste, and water. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat.
04 - In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute. Slowly whisk in milk until smooth. Bring to a simmer; cook 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. Reduce heat to low, add cheeses a handful at a time, stirring until melted. Stir in cayenne and salt. Keep warm.
05 - Arrange hot fries on a large platter. Spoon beef evenly over fries, drizzle generously with queso sauce, and add toppings: tomatoes, jalapeños, green onions, sour cream, and cilantro. Serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The combination of crispy seasoned fries with that homemade queso sauce is absolutely addictive
- Everything cooks in under an hour but tastes like it came from a restaurant kitchen
- You can customize the toppings to please everyone at your table
02 -
- Work quickly when assembling because the queso sauce thickens up as it cools and gets harder to drizzle beautifully
- Don't overcrowd the baking sheet when cooking the fries or they'll steam instead of getting crispy
- The beef mixture can be made ahead and reheated, but the fries really need to be fresh from the oven
03 -
- Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre-shredded for the smoothest queso sauce that doesn't separate
- Let the beef mixture cool slightly before piling onto fries so they don't get steamy and lose their crunch