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Loaded Nacho Fries

Loaded nacho fries with taco-seasoned ground beef and a warm queso drizzle. Oven-baked fries turn deeply golden and crisp before getting topped with melty cheddar and fresh, zesty garnishes.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 38 minutes
Total Time 53 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 720
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

frozen French fries
  • 1.5 lb frozen French fries
olive oil
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
lean ground beef
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
taco seasoning
  • 2 tbsp taco seasoning
water
  • 0.25 cup water
prepared queso cheese sauce
  • 1 cup prepared queso cheese sauce
shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
diced tomatoes
  • 0.5 cup diced tomatoes
pickled jalapeños
  • 0.25 cup pickled jalapeños
red onion
  • 0.25 cup red onion
sour cream
  • 0.33 cup sour cream
chopped fresh cilantro
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
green onions
  • 2 green onions
lime wedges
  • 1 lime wedges

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan
  • 1 cast iron skillet

Method
 

Bake the fries
  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F, then arrange the frozen French fries in a single layer on a large baking sheet.
  2. Bake for 25–30 minutes, turning the fries halfway through, until deeply golden and crisp.
Cook the taco beef
  1. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, then add the ground beef.
  2. Cook the beef for 6–8 minutes, breaking it into small crumbles, until no pink remains.
  3. Stir in the taco seasoning and water, then cook for 2–3 minutes until the liquid reduces and the beef is well coated.
Warm the cheese sauce
  1. Warm the queso cheese sauce over low heat for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until smooth.
Assemble and melt
  1. Pile the crispy fries onto an oven-safe serving platter.
  2. Spoon the seasoned ground beef evenly over the fries.
  3. Pour the warm queso cheese sauce generously over the beef and fries.
  4. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top.
  5. Bake for 3–5 minutes until the cheddar cheese melts.
Finish and serve
  1. Top with the diced tomatoes, pickled jalapeños, red onion, sour cream, chopped fresh cilantro, and sliced green onions.
  2. Serve immediately with lime wedges while the fries remain crisp.

Notes

For the crispiest results, assemble and bake the cheese topping for only 3–5 minutes, then serve right away. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat in a 425°F oven until warmed and re-crisped. Freezing is not recommended because the fries lose texture. For a simple swap, use lean ground turkey in the taco beef for a lighter option while keeping the same taco seasoning and sauce.