Loaded Cheese Fries with Beef, Cheddar, and Toppings (Print version)

Crispy fries piled with seasoned beef, silky cheddar sauce, and cold fresh toppings for a shareable snack or easy dinner.

# Ingredients:

For the fries and beef

01 - 1 bag (28 to 32 oz / 800 to 900 g) frozen thick-cut fries
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil, if needed for the fries
03 - 1 lb (450 g) ground beef, 85 to 90 percent lean
04 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
05 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
10 - 1/4 cup (60 ml) water

For the cheddar sauce

11 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
12 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
13 - 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
14 - 2 cups (225 g) freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
15 - 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
16 - Pinch of cayenne pepper, optional

For the toppings

17 - 1/2 cup (60 g) shredded cheddar cheese, optional for extra melting
18 - 1/3 cup (80 g) sour cream
19 - 1/2 cup (75 g) diced tomatoes
20 - 1/4 cup (40 g) finely diced red onion
21 - 1/4 cup (30 g) sliced pickled jalapenos
22 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
23 - 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro or parsley
24 - Hot sauce, optional

# Instructions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 425 F. Spread the fries on a large sheet pan in a single layer and bake according to package directions until deeply golden and crisp, usually 22 to 28 minutes. Flip once halfway through.
02 - While the fries bake, cook the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat for 6 to 8 minutes, breaking it into small crumbles. Drain excess fat, then stir in chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and water. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until the beef is glossy and the skillet is nearly dry.
03 - Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute until foamy. Slowly whisk in the milk and cook for 2 to 4 minutes until the sauce lightly coats a spoon.
04 - Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the shredded cheddar by handfuls until smooth, then season with salt and cayenne if using. Keep warm over very low heat only if needed.
05 - Transfer the hot fries to a warm serving pan or platter. Spoon the seasoned beef over the fries, pour the cheddar sauce evenly over the top, and sprinkle with the extra shredded cheddar if using.
06 - Add sour cream, diced tomatoes, red onion, jalapenos, green onions, cilantro or parsley, and hot sauce. Serve immediately while the fries are crisp and the cheese is warm.

# Good to know:

01 - Best served right after assembly.
02 - Use thick-cut fries for better topping support.
03 - Reheat leftovers in a 400 F oven or air fryer.

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