Do I even need to say more? These Nacho Fries are like magic, because if you serve them at a party, they will disappear. This is comfort food at its cheesy best, inspired by the Taco Bell classic.
Can I reveal a secret? I am not the biggest fan of Taco Bell. Don’t get me wrong, I like it fine. It’s great for certain occasions. But I can’t exactly call myself a connoisseur of “T-Bell” as some of my friends lovingly call it. So I was surprised to learn that one of the most popular options at Taco Bell is their limited-time-only nacho fries. Essentially french fries with Mexican seasoning, served alongside a nacho cheese dipping sauce, it seemed an odd item to be offered in such exclusive windows of time. Why can’t Taco Bell serve them year-round? It’s not like french fries are going extinct, and last time I checked, nacho cheese continues to flow freely all around the world.
Turns out, it’s all about marketing and hype. People love nacho fries at Taco Bell partly because they are a special-occasion-only snack. And the folks over at Taco Bell know that whenever they’re in need of a quick boost to the bottom line, they can call upon their trusted friend: the nacho fry.
But on behalf of the nacho fry lovers of the world, I take offense to this tactic. That’s why I have worked to create this copycat recipe in my own kitchen, so that even during the months when nacho fries are off-menu at Taco Bell, you can still get your fix.
Easy to make and (I would argue) even better than Taco Bell’s offering, these Nacho Fries are sure to be your favorite new dish to bring to parties and get-togethers, no matter what time of year it is.
Can I Use Any Type of Fry?
The simple answer is yes, you can. But this recipe is designed to copy the Taco Bell version, so that’s why I suggest going with the frozen french fries, as that’s the kind Taco Bell restaurants use. But the beauty of this dish is, you can customize it however you like. I personally am a big fan of waffle fries, so I’ve made this dish using frozen waffle fries instead, and the results were incredible. You can even make your own fresh french fries if you’ve got the time.
Ingredients
- 1 lb frozen french fries
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 lb ground beef
- 1/2 medium onion, finely diced
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 jalapeno, sliced (optional)
- salsa (for garnish)
- sour cream (for garnish)
How to Make Nacho Fries
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 450°F. Lightly grease a baking sheet.
Step 2: Spread the frozen fries in a single layer on the baking sheet, sprinkle with salt, and bake for 15-20 minutes until golden and crispy, giving them a stir halfway through.
Step 3: While fries are baking, cook the ground beef and diced onion in a skillet over medium-high heat until the beef is fully cooked and the onions are translucent. Drain excess fat and stir in chili powder.
Step 4: Once fries are done, sprinkle a layer of shredded cheese over them, followed by the cooked beef mixture, and top with the chopped red bell pepper.
Step 5: Return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 6: Garnish with sliced green onions, jalapeno if desired, and serve with a side of salsa and sour cream.
FAQs & Tips
How do I prep and store these fries?
To be honest, this dish is really best eaten fresh. You can always store it in an airtight container, but if you’ve had leftover fries before, you know the results are really not great compared to the fresh version. Sogginess is often unavoidable.
Do I really need to bake the fries first?
Yes, yes, and yes again. Do not — and I repeat — DO NOT skip the step of baking the fries first. Otherwise, you’ll get undercooked potatoes topped with soggy meats and cheese, resulting in sadness for all.
Can I use any type of cheese?
Yes, of course. I used cheddar cheese here, but you can also use Monterey Jack, pepper jack, cotija, Oaxaca, Chihuahua or Manchego cheese.
Serving Suggestions
In a perfect world, you would set this dish out in front of a group of people and watch as it is devoured bit by bit. This is not fancy food. It’s not for white tablecloths or expensive silverware. It’s the type of food that gets ATTACKED by your friends and family, and everyone is happy because of it.
Or if you’re like me, it’s the ideal set-on-the-coffee-table meal while watching TV. Perfect for grazing or devouring quickly, these fries are best eaten hot, so that’s your excuse to dive in!
Nacho Fries
Ingredients
- 1 lb frozen french fries
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 lb ground beef
- 1/2 medium onion finely diced
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 red bell pepper finely chopped
- 2 green onions sliced
- 1 jalapeno sliced (optional)
- salsa for garnish
- sour cream for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 450°F. Lightly grease a baking sheet.
- Spread the frozen fries in a single layer on the baking sheet, sprinkle with salt, and bake for 15-20 minutes until golden and crispy, giving them a stir halfway through.
- While fries are baking, cook the ground beef and diced onion in a skillet over medium-high heat until the beef is fully cooked and the onions are translucent. Drain excess fat and stir in chili powder.
- Once fries are done, sprinkle a layer of shredded cheese over them, followed by the cooked beef mixture, and top with the chopped red bell pepper.
- Return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with sliced green onions, jalapeno if desired, and serve with a side of salsa and sour cream.
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