Southern Shrimp Beef Nacho Fries
Crispy fries topped with seasoned ground beef, shrimp, melted cheese, and fresh toppings create a bold surf-and-turf nacho dish perfect for casual dinners and game nights.
Equipment
- 1 oven or air fryer to cook fries and melt cheese
- 1 skillet to cook beef and shrimp
- 1 baking sheet to spread fries
Ingredients
- 1 large bag 28 oz frozen French fries or fresh cut fries
- Olive oil or cooking spray if using fresh fries
- 1 lb ground beef
- 10 to 14 oz peeled and deveined shrimp
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning or chili powder cumin, garlic powder blend
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 1/2 to 2 cups shredded cheese cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend
- Optional nacho cheese sauce or salsa
- 1 medium tomato diced
- 1/4 cup red onion finely chopped
- Sliced jalapeños optional
- Fresh cilantro or parsley chopped
- Sour cream and lime wedges for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven or air fryer according to fry package instructions.
- Spread fries in a single layer on a baking sheet or in the air fryer basket.
- Bake or air fry fries until crispy and golden brown. Set aside.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon.
- Season beef with taco seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add shrimp and season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Cook shrimp about 2 to 3 minutes per side until pink and cooked through. Remove from heat.
- Spread cooked fries on a large oven-safe platter or baking sheet.
- Scatter seasoned beef and cooked shrimp evenly over the fries.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese over all the toppings.
- Place under a hot broiler or back in the oven at 400°F for 5 to 8 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from oven and top with diced tomato, red onion, jalapeños if using, and chopped cilantro.
- Serve hot with sour cream and lime wedges on the side.
Notes
- Use cooked sausage, pulled pork, or shredded chicken to vary proteins.
- Pepper Jack cheese adds heat; blends melt well.
- Adjust spice with hot sauce or more jalapeños.
- Best served immediately to keep fries crisp.
- Cook proteins ahead; assemble and melt cheese just before serving.