Nacho Fries (better than Taco Bell)

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These loaded Nacho Fries are an easy appetizer or dinner. They’re better than Taco Bell’s and loaded with seasoned beef, cheese, tomatoes, and jalapenos. 

$7.45 is all it costs to make six servings of these Nacho Fries. That is just $1.24 per serving.

For the perfect game-day spread, add these Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs, Baked Chicken Wings, and Slow Cooker Chile Con Queso to your menu. 

Nacho Fries 

No need to head to Taco-Bell to get your favorite snack. Make it at home with better ingredients. 

Nacho Fries are the ultimate game-day snack, party appetizer, or even an easy mid-week dinner option. This recipe has layers of cheesy goodness and a beef mixture that is smothered over crispy fries. Think your favorite nacho supreme but with fries instead of tortilla chips. 

What is not to love about this combo? The fries are good! Nacho Supremes are good. Combine the two into Nacho Fries, and they are GREAT! They are nachos with a twist with the same cheesy nacho flavor that everyone loves!

What’s on the nacho fries supreme at Taco Bell?

Our Nacho Fries are topped with seasoned beef, tomato salsa, and layers of cheese.

How to make Nacho Fries recipe: 

STEP ONE:  First, cook the fries on a baking sheet. Use the package instructions. 

STEP TWO: Next, cook the beef with the onion in a skillet over medium-high heat. Drain the excess fat. 

STEP THREE: Stir in the salsa and taco seasoning. Cook for two additional minutes. 

STEP FOUR: Remove the fries from the oven and sprinkle evenly with seasoned salt. Leave the oven on. 

STEP FIVE: Add one cup of cheese on top of the fries. Then spread the beef mixture over the fries, followed by the remaining cheese.

STEP SIX: Finally, place the fries back in the oven for 2-3 minutes to melt the cheese. Remove from the oven and serve immediately. 

Cook’s Tools:

• baking sheet
• measuring cups
• medium skillet
• measuring spoons

The Flavor and Recipe Variations

• Imagine, if you will, these nacho fries smothered in our Chile Con Queso. THAT would be comfort food at it’s finest!
• Instead of crinkle-cut fries, you can use crinkle-cut sweet potato fries. We prefer crinkle-cut fries in this recipe because they hold their shape better when toppings are piled on them. 
• Feel free to load up on your favorite toppings here; we especially like tomatoes, sliced jalapenos, avocados or guacamole, sour cream, and pico de gallo. 

How much will this Nacho Fries recipe cost to make: 

RECIPE COST: $7.45

PRICE PER SERVING: $1.24

• 1 pound frozen Crinkle cut fries – $0.84
• 1/2 cup diced onion – $0.31
• 1 Tablespoon taco seasoning – $0.07
• 1 teaspoon seasoned salt – $0.06
• 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese – $2.78
• 1 pound lean ground beef – $3.01
• 1 cup tomato salsa – $0.38

To find out more about how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained. 

How long is it good for:

Serve: You can keep these at room temperature for up to an hour before they will need to be refrigerated. These should be eaten immediately when served because as they sit, they will become soggy. We highly recommend using a warming tray to keep these warm; this will also help them stay crisper longer. 

Store: Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Note that they might be a little soggy. 

Freeze: This recipe does not freeze and reheat well; therefore, we do not recommend freezing these nacho fries. 

How to get the kids involved with this recipe:

Ages 2-3: Have your little one sprinkle on the cheese on top of the fries. They can do this both times. 

Ages 4-5: Let your child spread the fries out on the pan. He/she can then spread the beef mixture over the top of the fries. 

Ages 6-8: Teaching proper safety using the stove, teach your child how to cook the beef. Using a meat masher, he/she can grind up the beef as it browns. 

Ages 9-11: Supervise them while they prepare the entire recipe. Remember to have them read it twice before beginning the recipe. 

Ages 12+: Let them prepare the entire recipe, unsupervised, while you do the happy dance in the corner!

More Appetizers:

• Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites
• Classic Cheese Ball Recipe
• Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs
• Easy Taco Pizza
• Homemade Chicken Fingers
• Mozzarella Cheese Sticks
• Pepperoni Pizza Rolls
• Sausage Rolls
• Snickers Salad
• Vanilla Candied Bacon

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Nacho Fries

Recipe Cost 7.45

Serving Cost 1.24

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

These loaded Nacho Fries are an easy appetizer or dinner. They’re better than Taco Bell’s and loaded with seasoned beef, cheese, tomatoes, and jalapenos.

Servings: 6 people

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 25 mins

Total Time 35 mins

Equipment

• baking sheet
• measuring cups
• medium skillet
• Measuring spoons

Ingredients

 

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NACHO FRIES:

• 1 pound frozen Crinkle Cut Fries
• 1 teaspoon seasoned salt such as Lawry’s or Mrs. Dash
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• ½ cup diced onion
• 1 cup tomato salsa
• 1 Tablespoon taco seasoning
• 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese

TOPPINGS:

• Green onions
• Tomatoes
• Pico de Gallo
• Jalapenos
• Sour cream
• Avocado
• Guacamole
• Salsa

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

COOK FRIES:

• Place the fries in an even layer on a baking sheet.
• Cook the fries as per the package instructions.

COOK BEEF LAYER:

• While the fries cook, add beef and onion to a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, often stirring, until the beef is browned and the onions are soft.
• Drain off excess fat.
• Stir in salsa and taco seasoning and cook for 2 additional minutes.

SEASON FRIES AND LAYER:

• Once the fries are done cooking, remove them from the oven and sprinkle evenly with seasoned salt. Toss fries to coat. DO NOT TURN OFF THE OVEN!
• Add 1 cup of shredded cheese on top of the fries.
• Spread the beef mixture evenly over the fries.
• Sprinkle the last cup of cheese over the beef.

MELT CHEESE:

• Place the fries back in the oven for 2-3 minutes to melt the cheese.
• Once the cheese is melted, remove the fries from the oven.

TOP AND SERVE:

• Add the desired toppings and serve immediately.

Notes

The nutrition information below does not include the optional toppings. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1.5cup | Calories: 452kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 82mg | Sodium: 1407mg | Potassium: 761mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 493IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 276mg | Iron: 3mg

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