Taco Beef Loaded Fries (Printable version)

Golden fries topped with seasoned beef, melted cheeses, and fresh toppings for the ultimate comfort food.

# What you'll need:

→ Fries

01 - 1.5 lbs frozen or fresh French fries
02 - 2 tbsp 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)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the 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 - While fries bake, heat a large skillet over medium-high. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking up with a 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 in taco seasoning and add water. Stir well and simmer 3–4 minutes until thickened.
05 - Once fries are ready, transfer to a large oven-safe platter or baking sheet. Sprinkle half the cheeses over fries, then top evenly with taco beef. Add remaining cheese on top.
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 -
  • Everything hits a baking sheet together so cleanup happens while everyone digs in
  • The combination of crispy fries spiced beef and cool toppings hits every single craving at once
02 -
  • Soggy fries happen when toppings sit too long so assemble this right before you want to eat
  • Draining the beef fat keeps the final dish from feeling overwhelmingly heavy
03 -
  • Sprinkle a little extra cheese around the edges of the platter so it gets crispy and people fight over those bits
  • Let the beef cool for just a minute before piling it on so the fries do not steam and get soft

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