Description
Indulgent Loaded Cheese Fries deliver a mouthwatering explosion of crispy potatoes smothered in melted cheese and savory toppings. Classic comfort food meets gourmet delight, promising you a satisfying crunch with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 bag (2 pounds) frozen fries
- 1 pound ground beef or 1 pound hot Italian sausage
Meat Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 package taco seasoning
- 2/3 cup water
Cheese Sauce and Toppings:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 red onion, diced
- 1 jar jalapenos, drained
- 1–2 tomatoes, diced
- Sour cream
- Green onions, diced
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375°F and arrange frozen fries on a large baking sheet, roasting according to package guidelines until crispy and golden.
- For meat preparation, select either ground beef or Italian sausage option: sauté onions in olive oil until translucent, then add garlic and meat, cooking until completely browned.
- If using ground beef, incorporate taco seasoning and water, simmering until sauce thickens. For sausage, simply cook until fully browned.
- Create the velvety cheese sauce by melting butter in a saucepan, whisking in flour until bubbling and smooth.
- Gradually pour milk into the roux, whisking continuously to prevent lumps, and simmer until sauce thickens approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Remove sauce from heat and gradually fold in cheese, stirring until completely melted and glossy. Season with salt and cayenne pepper, adjusting to taste.
- Extract crispy fries from the oven and generously layer with prepared meat, rich cheese sauce, diced red onions, sliced jalapeños, fresh tomatoes, dollops of sour cream, and sprinkled green onions.
- Serve immediately while fries remain hot and toppings are freshly added, ensuring maximum flavor and texture.
Notes
- For extra crispy fries, pat them dry with paper towels before baking and spread them in a single layer without overcrowding.
- Grate cheese freshly and add it gradually while stirring continuously to prevent clumping and achieve a silky texture.
- Swap ground beef or sausage with shredded chicken, pulled pork, or plant-based meat alternatives for diverse flavor profiles.
- Use gluten-free flour for the cheese sauce, dairy-free cheese alternatives, and low-fat sour cream to accommodate various dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 621 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 860 mg
- Fat: 44 g
- Saturated Fat: 19 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg