Loaded Nacho Fries Beef (Printer-friendly)
Crispy fries layered with spiced beef, creamy queso, and fresh toppings for a bold Tex-Mex treat.
# What You'll Need:
→ 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
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Spread fries on large baking sheet in single layer. Sprinkle evenly with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until golden and crispy, tossing halfway through cooking.
02 - Heat skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook 2 minutes, breaking up with spoon. Add chopped onion and cook until beef is browned and onion soft, about 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in garlic, taco seasoning, and water. Simmer 2 to 3 minutes until thickened. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
03 - Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook 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 and sauce is smooth. Season with salt.
04 - Transfer cooked fries to large platter. Top with seasoned beef mixture. Pour warm queso sauce over beef and fries. Sprinkle evenly with diced tomatoes, jalapeños, green onions, sour cream, and cilantro.
05 - Serve immediately while hot and crispy. Offer extra toppings on side if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The homemade quesco puts anything store bought to shame and comes together in minutes
- These fries satisfy every craving at once crispy salty cheesy and just enough spice
02 -
- The queso thickens as it cools so have everything else ready before you make it
- Room temperature milk prevents the roux from clumping when you whisk it in
03 -
- Line your baking sheet with parchment for cleanup that takes seconds
- Warm your platter in the oven while everything cooks so the first batch stays hot