Go Back

Fully Loaded Fries with Sauce and Crunch

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 4 generous portions

Equipment

  • Baking sheet For roasting your fries to crispy perfection. A dark metal baking sheet helps achieve better browning.
  • Skillet For browning the ground beef and building in flavor.
  • saucepan For making the cheese sauce. A nonstick one is helpful for easy cleanup.
  • Whisk Essential for the cheese sauce to get that smooth texture.
  • Mixing bowls For combining the special sauce and toppings.
  • Spatula & Tongs For flipping fries and mixing ingredients.

Ingredients
  

For the Fries

  • 1 bag about 24 oz of thick-cut frozen fries (steak fries or crinkle-cut work best)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Ground Beef Topping

  • ½ pound ground beef
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • ¼ cup water

Crunchy Bits

  • ¼ cup crushed tortilla chips or crispy onions
  • ¼ cup chopped pickled jalapeños
  • ¼ cup finely diced red onions

Cheese Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • Salt to taste

Special Sauce

  • ⅓ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon pickle juice

Garnish

  • Chopped fresh cilantro or green onions
  • Sour cream optional

Instructions
 

Preheat and Season the Fries

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Spread the fries on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat evenly. Roast for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through until golden and crisp.

Prepare the Ground Beef

  1. While the fries bake, heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain excess fat if necessary. Add chili powder, cumin, cayenne, salt, tomato paste, and water. Stir and simmer for 5–7 minutes until thick and flavorful.

Make the Cheese Sauce

  1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add flour and whisk for 1 minute to form a roux. Slowly whisk in milk, making sure no lumps form. Cook until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes. Stir in cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt to taste.

Mix the Special Sauce

  1. In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, hot sauce, garlic powder, and pickle juice. Mix until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning if needed.

Assemble the Loaded Fries

  1. Once the fries are golden, transfer them to a serving tray or large plate. Pile on the seasoned ground beef, drizzle with cheese sauce, and scatter crunchy bits like tortilla chips and onions. Add pickled jalapeños and red onion for sharpness and contrast.

Finish with Garnish

  1. Spoon over the special sauce, sprinkle with cilantro or green onions, and if desired, dollop with sour cream. Serve immediately while everything is hot and melty.