If you love loaded fries, taco night, and anything covered in melted cheese, these Cheesesteak Taco Fries are going to disappear fast. Crispy waffle fries are piled high with seasoned ground beef, tender onions, plenty of cheddar jack cheese, fresh tomatoes, and green onions.
I love recipes like this because they feel like a full comfort-food meal without requiring much prep. We start with frozen waffle fries, which saves a lot of time, then make a simple taco-seasoned beef mixture while the fries crisp in the oven.
The combination is cheesy, beefy, crispy, and just messy enough to make it fun.
Why You’ll Love These Cheesesteak Taco Fries
These loaded taco fries work for weeknight dinners, game-day snacks, casual parties, or those nights when everyone wants something a little more exciting than regular tacos.
A few things make this recipe especially convenient:
- Frozen waffle fries keep the prep simple.
- The beef topping comes together in one skillet.
- Everything is made with easy-to-find ingredients.
- You can add or change toppings based on what you already have.
- The entire dish is ready in well under an hour.
I also love using waffle fries here because all those little pockets catch the seasoned beef and melted cheese.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Frozen Waffle Fries
Use your favorite bag of frozen waffle fries. Baking them until they’re properly crisp is important because they need to hold up underneath the beef and cheese.
Ground Beef
I usually use lean ground beef so there isn’t too much grease left in the skillet. If your beef releases quite a bit of fat, drain it before adding the seasoning.
Onion
Chopped onion cooks right along with the beef, adding sweetness and extra flavor to the topping.
Taco Seasoning
A packet of taco seasoning makes this recipe incredibly easy. It gives the beef that familiar savory, slightly spicy taco flavor without measuring several individual spices.
Cheddar Jack Cheese
Cheddar jack melts beautifully and gives the fries plenty of cheesy flavor. Monterey Jack, cheddar, or a Mexican cheese blend can also work.
Green Onions
Fresh green onions add a nice pop of color and a mild onion flavor after the fries come out of the oven.
Tomato
Diced fresh tomato adds freshness that balances out the rich beef and melted cheese.
How to Make Cheesesteak Taco Fries
Start by heating your oven to 450°F and lining a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Spread the frozen waffle fries across the baking sheet in an even layer. Try not to crowd them too tightly. Giving the fries a little room helps them become crisp instead of soft.
Bake the fries for about 20 to 25 minutes, or according to the package directions, until they’re hot, golden, and crispy around the edges.
While the fries are baking, add the ground beef and chopped onion to a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Cook the mixture, breaking the beef apart with a wooden spoon or spatula as it browns. Continue cooking until no pink remains and the onions are tender.
Drain away any excess grease from the skillet.
Reduce the heat and sprinkle the taco seasoning over the cooked beef. Stir everything together and continue cooking for another 2 to 3 minutes so the seasoning has time to coat the meat evenly.
Once the fries are crispy, remove the baking sheet from the oven.
Spoon the seasoned beef and onion mixture evenly over the fries. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar jack cheese generously across the top.
Return the baking sheet to the oven for another 5 to 10 minutes, just until the cheese has melted and everything is hot.
Finish the loaded fries with diced tomatoes and chopped green onions immediately before serving.
Serve them hot while the fries are still crispy and the cheese is wonderfully melted.
My Tips for the Best Loaded Taco Fries
The biggest mistake I try to avoid with loaded fries is adding the toppings before the fries are crispy enough.
Let those waffle fries get properly golden first.
If they’re still soft when the meat and cheese go on top, the finished dish can become soggy quickly.
I also recommend draining the beef well. Excess grease can soak into the fries and make them heavy instead of crisp.
For serving, I like putting any creamy toppings on the side rather than covering the entire baking sheet. That way, everyone can customize their portion and the remaining fries stay crisp longer.
Easy Topping Ideas
These Cheesesteak Taco Fries are delicious exactly as written, but they’re also easy to customize.
Try adding:
- Sour cream
- Salsa
- Guacamole
- Sliced jalapeños
- Chopped cilantro
- Pickled onions
- Diced avocado
- Hot sauce
- Black olives
- Extra shredded cheese
For a little heat, sliced jalapeños and hot sauce are my favorite additions.
Can I Use Another Type of Fries?
Absolutely.
Waffle fries are great because they’re sturdy enough to hold all the toppings, but crinkle-cut fries, steak fries, or regular French fries will work too.
Whatever style you choose, cook the fries until they’re crisp before adding the beef.
Can I Make These Ahead?
I don’t recommend assembling the entire recipe far in advance because the fries will gradually soften beneath the toppings.
You can, however, prepare the seasoned beef mixture ahead of time.
Cook the beef and onion, add the taco seasoning, cool the mixture, and refrigerate it in an airtight container. When you’re ready to eat, bake fresh fries, warm the beef, assemble everything, and melt the cheese.
How to Store Leftovers
Store leftover Cheesesteak Taco Fries in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
The fries won’t be quite as crispy after refrigeration, but reheating them in the oven or air fryer gives much better results than the microwave.
For best results, place the leftovers on a baking sheet and warm them at about 375°F until heated through.
What to Serve With Cheesesteak Taco Fries
This recipe can easily be served as a meal on its own, especially with extra toppings.
For parties, I like serving it alongside salsa, guacamole, queso, fresh vegetables, or a simple salad.
You can also make one large tray and set out small bowls of toppings so everyone can build their own loaded fries.
Cheesesteak Taco Fries
Ingredients
- 1 bag frozen waffle fries
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 2 cups shredded cheddar jack cheese
- ½ cup chopped green onions
- 1 tomato diced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Arrange the frozen waffle fries in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the fries are golden and crispy.
- While the fries bake, place the ground beef and chopped onion in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, breaking the meat into crumbles, until the beef is browned and the onion has softened.
- Carefully drain any excess grease from the skillet.
- Reduce the heat to low. Add the taco seasoning and stir until the beef is evenly coated. Continue cooking for another 2 to 3 minutes.
- Remove the crispy fries from the oven and spoon the seasoned beef mixture evenly over the top.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar jack cheese over the beef and fries.
- Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for another 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted.
- Remove from the oven and immediately top with the diced tomato and chopped green onions.
- Serve hot with your favorite taco toppings and enjoy.
