Loaded Nacho Fries Beef (Printable version)
Crispy fries layered with savory spiced beef, creamy queso, and fresh toppings for a bold Tex-Mex flavor.
# What you 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 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:
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 Advice:
01 -
- The homemade queso is infinitely better than anything from a jar and comes together in minutes
- Everything can be prepped ahead so you're not stuck in the kitchen while everyone else is having fun
- The seasoning blend on the fries makes them addictive even before the toppings
02 -
- Never assemble the loaded fries more than 10 minutes before serving or they'll lose that essential crispy texture
- Keep the queso on the lowest heat setting while the fries bake, stirring occasionally to prevent a skin from forming
- The beef mixture can be made ahead and gently reheated, which actually helps the flavors develop even more
03 -
- Double the queso recipe and freeze half for future nacho emergencies
- If using frozen fries, spread them on a rack over the baking sheet for extra air circulation
- Warm your platter in the oven while the fries cook so everything stays hot longer