Taco Beef Loaded Fries (Printable)

Crispy fries topped with seasoned beef, melted cheeses, and fresh toppings for an indulgent comfort food favorite.

# What goes in:

→ Fries Base

01 - 1.5 lbs frozen or fresh French fries
02 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil for fresh fries
03 - Salt to taste

→ Taco Beef Filling

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

→ Cheese Layer

09 - 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
10 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

→ Fresh Toppings

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
16 - 1/2 cup guacamole or diced avocado

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Arrange fries on baking sheet according to package directions. For fresh fries, toss with oil and salt. Bake 25–30 minutes until golden and crispy.
02 - Heat large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook 5 minutes until browned, breaking apart with spatula. Drain excess fat if needed.
03 - Add diced onion and minced garlic to beef. Cook 2–3 minutes until onion becomes translucent and fragrant.
04 - Sprinkle taco seasoning over beef mixture. Pour in water and stir thoroughly. Simmer 3–4 minutes until sauce thickens and coats beef evenly.
05 - Transfer cooked fries to large oven-safe platter. Scatter half the cheese blend over fries, then distribute taco beef evenly. Cover with remaining cheese.
06 - Return platter to oven and bake 5–8 minutes until cheese is fully melted and bubbly. Watch closely to prevent burning.
07 - Remove from oven. Arrange diced tomato, green onions, cilantro, and jalapeño slices over top. Drizzle with sour cream and dollop guacamole.
08 - Serve loaded fries hot while cheese remains melted. Enjoy as shared appetizer or hearty main dish.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The perfect balance of textures and flavors in every single bite
  • Everything cooks on one pan while the beef simmers on the stove
  • Customizable toppings let everyone build their ideal portion
  • Crowd pleasing comfort food that feels like a restaurant treat
02 -
  • Draining excess fat from the beef prevents your fries from becoming greasy and heavy
  • Layering cheese under and over the beef ensures every fry gets coated in melted goodness
  • Have all toppings prepped before the fries come out of the oven so you can serve while hot
  • The fries will soften quickly so serve these immediately after adding the fresh toppings
03 -
  • Sweet potato fries add a lovely sweetness that pairs unexpectedly well with taco seasoning
  • Ground turkey works perfectly if you want a lighter version without sacrificing flavor
  • Use a rimmed baking sheet to catch any cheese that melts off the fries

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