Description
A fast, customizable, and crowd-pleasing game day snack or meal made with crispy fries, seasoned ground beef, and a creamy homemade cheese sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450g) ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
- 1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning (or 2 tablespoons homemade mix)
- ¼ cup (60ml) water or broth
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
- ½ cup (75g) corn (frozen or canned)
- 2–3 pounds thick-cut frozen french fries
- 2 cups (200g) freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 ounces (56g) cream cheese, softened
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- ½ cup (120g) sour cream
- 2–3 stalks green onions, sliced
- ½ cup (75g) jalapeños, sliced
- 1 medium tomato, diced
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon (5-6 minutes). Drain excess fat if desired, leaving some for flavor.
- Stir in taco seasoning and water (or broth). Simmer for 1-2 minutes until liquid reduces and coats the beef.
- Add drained black beans and corn to the beef mixture. Keep warm on low heat.
- While beef cooks, prepare fries according to package directions. Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 15-20 minutes until crispy and golden, flipping halfway. Spread cooked fries on a baking sheet or platter.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine softened cream cheese, grated cheddar, and milk. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring well between each, until smooth and creamy (1-2 minutes total). Add more milk if needed for consistency.
- Spread hot fries evenly on the serving platter. Sprinkle seasoned beef mixture over the fries.
- Drizzle cheese sauce generously over the top. Optionally, broil for 1-2 minutes to melt cheese further, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Remove from heat and immediately top with sour cream, diced tomatoes, jalapeños, and green onions. Serve immediately.
Notes
Grate your own cheese for a smoother sauce; pre-grated cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent melting. For crispier fries, bake on a wire rack. The recipe is naturally gluten-free if you verify your taco seasoning and fries. Dairy-free and turkey variations are available.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 850
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 22
Keywords: loaded fries, nacho cheese fries, game day snack, seasoned beef, easy dinner, comfort food, party appetizer, quick meals