You’ll be the hit of any gathering by bringing these Loaded Taco Fries and it will only take you 30 minutes from start to finish. If you’re looking for a show-stopper recipe for a crowd or just an easy weeknight meal, this is it!
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Sometimes finding meals that please everyone can feel like searching for a unicorn. That's why these Loaded Taco Fries have become one of my family's most requested dinner! This recipe transforms humble frozen fries into a spectacular meal that combines the comfort of French fries with the bold flavors of taco night.
Loaded with ground beef seasoned with taco seasoning, melty cheese and your favorite toppings, there’s no need to go to the drive through. Stay home and whip these up yourself!
Why You'll Love This Loaded Taco Fries Recipe
- Lightning-Fast Preparation: With just 5 minutes of prep time and 25 minutes of cooking (mostly hands-off!), you'll have dinner on the table in half an hour.
- Crowd-Pleasing Flavors: The combination of crispy fries, seasoned beef, and melty cheese creates a perfect harmony that satisfies both kids and adults alike.
- Customizable Toppings: Set up a toppings bar and let everyone personalize their portion with their favorite garnishes - perfect for families with different preferences!
- Budget-Friendly: This recipe stretches a pound of ground beef to feed a crowd, making it perfect for large families or when you're hosting friends.
🌮 Taco Tuesday is a favorite around here, and I keep a rotation going of all the amazing taco-inspired recipes!
Recipe Ingredients
- Frozen Steak Fries
- Ground Beef
- Taco seasoning — store bought or homemade
- Water
- Cheddar Cheese
Toppings
- Lettuce
- Tomato
- Green onions
- Avocado ranch dressing
- Cilantro
- Lime wedges
For the exact amounts needed, please see the recipe card below.
How to Make Loaded Taco Fries
Step 1: Prepare steak fries according to package directions. While they cook, prepare the rest of your ingredients.
Step 2: In a medium skillet over medium heat, brown the beef. Drain off grease if needed, and then add taco seasoning and water. Stir to combine. Simmer for about 3 minutes until most of the liquid is evaporated.
Step 3: Once the fries are done cooking, remove them from the oven but leave them on the sheet tray. Evenly distribute the beef taco mixture over the fries and then the cheese.
Step 4: Bake for 4-6 minutes at 425° until the cheese is melted. Remove and top as desired.
Recipe FAQs
Taco fries and nacho fries are the same thing. While the toppings may vary, each are made with a delicious ground beef layer seasoned with taco seasoning and cheese melted over fries.
Steak fries are a thicker cut french fry. You can find these next to the other frozen fries in pretty much any grocery store.
Of course! The ground beef can be subbed out for ground turkey, chicken cut into small pieces, or even cooked and drained beans. Just note that whatever meat you use needs to be fully cooked before adding to fries and finishing the recipe.
Expert Tips
- Beef Safety: For food safety, all ground beef should be cooked through completely before topping the steak fries. Ground beef is cooked through when it reaches 160ºF on an instant-read thermometer.
- Prep Ahead: Cook and season the beef ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Then you’re ready for a lightning-fast assembly process come game time.
- Topping Bar: If you’re serving a crowd, leave the toppings in bowls and serve the taco fries buffet style so everyone can customize their own plate.
- Crispy Fries: For extra-crispy fries that won't get soggy under toppings, bake them a few minutes longer than the package suggests before adding your toppings.
Other Taco Style Recipes You'll Love
You'll definitely want to explore these other mouthwatering ground beef taco creations that transform this versatile protein into family favorites worthy of your weekly rotation! 🌮
- Ground Beef Tacos: This tried-and-true cooking method transforms humble ground beef into succulent, perfectly seasoned taco meat that's ready to dazzle your dinner table in just minutes.
- Easy Taco Casserole: My family-favorite taco bake bundles all those crave-worthy taco flavors into one bubbling, cheese-crowned dish that'll have everyone running to the table.
- Steak Quesadillas: Bursting with perfectly seasoned steak chunks, ooey-gooey melted cheese, and that secret-weapon creamy jalapeño sauce — and you can totally sub in ground beef!
More Favorites From Longbourn Farm
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Loaded Taco Fries
Ingredients
- 28 oz steak fries (frozen)
- 1 lb ground beef
- 3 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 cups cheddar cheese (shredded)
- ½ cup lettuce (shredded)
- ¼ cup tomato (diced)
- ¼ cup green onion (thinly sliced)
- ½ cup avocado ranch dressing (or sour cream)
- cilantro
- lime wedges
Instructions
- Prepare steak fries according to package directions. While they cook, prepare the rest of your ingredients.
- In a medium skillet over medium heat, brown the beef.
- Once browned, add the taco seasoning and water. Stir to combine.
- Simmer for about 3 minutes until most of the liquid is evaporated.
- Once the fries are done cooking, remove them from the oven but leave them on the sheet tray.
- Change (if necessary) the oven temperature to 425ºF.
- Evenly distribute the ground beef taco mixture over the fries.
- Evenly distribute the cheese over the fries.
- Bake for 4-6 minutes,until the cheese is melted.
- Remove and top as desired.
Notes
- This is a recipe for homemade taco seasoning.
- You can use whatever cheese you like best. A blend of cheese, Monterey, Monterey Jack, etc. are all good options.
- If you don’t have avocado ranch dressing, regular ranch dressing can be substituted.
- Feel free to sub in another meat, just be sure to thoroughly cook it before adding to the fries.
Alli
Yum!