Description
Loaded Beef Fries showcase incredible flavor combinations from classic American street cuisine. Crispy potato wedges topped with seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and zesty toppings create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (28 oz/794 g) bag frozen French fries (or homemade fries)
- 1 lb (0.45 kg) ground beef
- ½ cup (75 g) crispy bacon (crumbled)
- 1 cup (240 ml) milk
- 1 ½ cups (170 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup (75 g) onion (diced)
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp olive oil (optional, for extra crispiness)
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- ¼ cup (60 ml) beef broth or water
- ¼ cup (40 g) green onions (chopped)
- ¼ cup (40 g) diced tomatoes (optional)
- ¼ cup (40 g) pickled jalapenos (optional)
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- Sour cream (for drizzling)
Instructions
- Fry Preparation: Spread frozen fries on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Roast in a preheated oven at 425F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway to ensure even golden crispiness.
- Beef Foundation: Sauté ground beef with onions until thoroughly browned, draining excess fat. Infuse with garlic, spices, Worcestershire sauce, and beef broth. Simmer to develop rich, intense flavors that will complement the crispy base.
- Cheese Sauce Crafting: Create a silky roux by melting butter and whisking in flour. Gradually stream milk, stirring continuously to prevent clumping. Fold in shredded cheddar until the sauce transforms into a smooth, cascading liquid.
- Final Assembly: Layer crisp fries as the foundation, generously cover with seasoned beef, and liberally pour cheese sauce over the top. Garnish with crumbled bacon, green onions, diced tomatoes, jalapeños, and a generous dollop of sour cream to create a loaded masterpiece.
- Serving: Present immediately to maintain the perfect temperature and textural harmony between crispy fries, warm meat, and creamy toppings.
Notes
- Manage Fry Crispiness: Pat frozen fries dry before oiling to ensure maximum crunchiness and prevent soggy results.
- Control Meat Moisture: Drain beef thoroughly after browning to prevent excess liquid from softening the crispy fries.
- Balance Cheese Sauce: Whisk milk slowly and consistently to create a smooth, lump-free sauce that coats ingredients perfectly.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Swap ground beef for ground turkey or plant-based crumbles, use gluten-free flour for sauce, and offer dairy-free cheese alternatives for different dietary preferences.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg