Taco Beef Loaded Fries (Print version)

Crispy fries topped with seasoned beef, melty cheese, and fresh toppings for the ultimate comfort food.

# What you'll need:

→ Fries

01 - 1.5 lbs frozen or fresh French fries
02 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (if baking fresh fries)
03 - Salt, to taste

→ Taco Beef

04 - 1 lb ground beef (80/20 recommended)
05 - 1 small onion, finely diced
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning
08 - 1/3 cup water

→ Cheese & Toppings

09 - 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
10 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
11 - 1 large tomato, diced
12 - 1/2 cup sliced green onions
13 - 1/2 cup sour cream
14 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
15 - 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced (optional)
16 - 1/2 cup guacamole or diced avocado (optional)

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Prepare fries according to package directions, or toss fresh-cut fries with oil and salt, then bake 25–30 minutes until golden and crisp.
02 - Heat large skillet over medium-high. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking up with spatula, about 5 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
03 - Add onion and garlic to beef; sauté 2–3 minutes until onion softens.
04 - Sprinkle taco seasoning and add water. Stir well and simmer 3–4 minutes until thickened.
05 - Transfer fries to large oven-safe platter. Sprinkle half cheeses over fries, top evenly with taco beef, then add remaining cheese.
06 - Return to oven for 5–8 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
07 - Remove from oven. Top with tomato, green onions, cilantro, jalapeño, sour cream, and guacamole as desired.
08 - Serve hot and enjoy immediately.

# Expert advice:

01 -
  • This is the kind of food that turns an ordinary Tuesday into something worth celebrating, without requiring any special occasion
  • The contrast between hot, seasoned beef and cool, fresh toppings creates that perfect bite every single time
02 -
  • The most common mistake is topping the fries with everything at once and baking it all together. This turns the fresh tomatoes and cilantro into a sad, watery mess.
  • Layering cheese between the fries and beef, rather than just on top, ensures every single fry has something delicious clinging to it.
03 -
  • If you are making homemade taco seasoning, mix a larger batch and store it in a jar. It keeps forever and tastes infinitely better than the store-bought packets.
  • Let the beef rest for a couple of minutes after simmering. This lets the sauce thicken slightly so it clings to the fries rather than making them soggy.

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