While the fries bake very crisp, ground beef cooks in a skillet with smoked paprika, garlic and onion powder until browned and 160°F.
The fries are piled on a platter, covered with beef and bacon, drizzled with warm cheese sauce and ranch-style dressing, and finished with chives.
How to Make It
Fries baked
Heat oven to 425°F and bake the frozen French fries until very crisp according to package timing.
Beef cooked
Meanwhile, cook ground beef with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and black pepper until browned and 160°F.
Piled
Pile the crisp fries on a serving platter and scatter over the seasoned ground beef and crumbled cooked bacon.
Drizzled
Drizzle with warm cheddar cheese sauce and ranch-style dressing.
Finished
Finish with chopped fresh chives and serve immediately.
Oven and Skillet
The fries and beef finish at the same time.
In the oven
- Start
Frozen fries baked at 425°F.
- Package time
Until very crisp.
In the skillet
- Meanwhile
Ground beef with smoked paprika, garlic and onion powder, salt and pepper.
- Done
Browned and 160°F.
Loaded
Beef and bacon over the fries, then cheese sauce, ranch-style dressing and chives.
Ingredient Notes
- Ground beef
- Eight ounces, cooked to 160°F.
- Cheddar cheese sauce
- One cup, warmed.
- Ranch-style dressing
- A third of a cup, the white drizzle.
Success Tips
- Drain the beef before it goes on the fries.
- Warm the cheese sauce so it drizzles in thin lines.
- Serve at once; loaded fries soften as they sit.
Why This Recipe Works
- Crisp fries stand up to the toppings.
- Smoked paprika gives the beef colour and a smoky edge.
- Cooking the beef while the fries bake keeps everything hot.
- Adding the drizzles last keeps the fries from softening early.
Serving Ideas
Bring the platter to the table straight away with forks for sharing.
Storage and Reheating
Refrigerate
Refrigerate the toppings separately up to 4 days; the fries are crispest fresh. Reheat the meat to 165°F.
Frequently Asked Questions
How cooked should the beef be?
Browned and 160°F.
Can I save leftovers?
Keep the toppings separately in the fridge and reheat the meat to 165°F.
