If there’s one I don’t do a lot of around here, it’s appetizers and finger food. I mean, how often do you see moms of 3 kids 7 and under serving an appetizer with their meal? 😉 BUT, we do love appetizers that count as dinner, like these hearty Nacho Fries loaded with ground beef, onions, peppers, cheese and all your favorite nacho toppings. Love hearty appetizers that you can call dinner? Check out my BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Nachos, Boneless Chicken Wings or Crockpot Chicken Wings: 3 Ways. Plus, they’re incredibly easy to make and customize, which means they are perfect for busy families (not that we’re eating Nacho Fries every night of the week, but they are a fun “meal” every now and then!).
What makes these better than Taco Bell Nacho Fries?
Basically everything. But in more detail:
You know what’s going into them. Yes, I realize we are starting with a bag of frozen french fries but there are varying levels of frozen french fry quality and I like to think I choose some that are not so bad. Plus, we’re choosing everything else: the seasoning, the toppings, and you can choose ones that you enjoy and are comfortable feeding your family. You can make them in under 30 minutes in your pyjamas from home. There are lots of parts you can prep ahead, which makes them an easy recipe to throw together when you’re in a hurry. You can make a whole pan for the price it would cost for one serving of Nacho Fries Bellgrande at Taco Bell.
How to make Nacho Fries:
How to prep Nacho Fries ahead:
There are lots of ways to cut down on the prep time when making nacho fries.
Cook your ground beef and onion in advance and freeze in small bags — these are perfect for not only these nacho fries, but also quesadillas, salads, and more. Chop your peppers, jalapenos, green onions, anything else you want to add and store them in the fridge for up to a few days. Shred your cheese, and store up to a few days in the refrigerator in an airtight container (Or buy pre-shredded cheese, but I don’t usually recommend that).
Variations on these Nacho Fries:
There are so many ways to make these Nacho Fries your own! Try swapping the beef for some shredded chicken combined with taco seasoning — my Crockpot Shredded Chicken or Instant Pot Shredded Chicken would be perfect on here! Ditch the meat and add on more veggies — maybe additional peppers, mushrooms, or whatever you enjoy plus some black beans for a vegetarian version of these Nacho Fries. Swap the cheddar for some Jalapeno Monterey Jack or a Mexican cheese blend for added kick and flavor. Swap the fries for tater tots for Nacho Taters. If you try these and put your own spin on them, leave a comment below and let me know what you did!
More nacho love:
How to Make the Best Nachos: 3 Ways Nacho Roasted Potatoes with Easy Homemade Queso Nacho Popcorn Bacon and Egg Breakfast Nachos Creamy Nacho Potato Soup
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