Cheesy fries topped with homemade-style sloppy joe beef and creamy sour cream. This is an easy, super-comforting American dinner or game-day snack.
🛒 Ingredients
Serves 6
- 1 large bag (28–32 oz) frozen crinkle-cut French fries
- 1½ lb (680 g) ground beef
- 1 can (15–16 oz) Manwich Original Sloppy Joe sauce
- 2 boxes (12 oz each) Velveeta Shells & Cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ small onion, diced (optional)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- Salt, to taste
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for extra cheesiness)
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Bake the fries 🍟
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
Spread the frozen fries in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Bake according to the package directions, usually 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway through.
For extra crispy fries, give them another 5–10 minutes.
2. Cook the ground beef 🥩
While the fries cook, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook for 7–9 minutes, breaking the beef into small pieces until completely browned.
Drain any excess grease.
Season with:
- Garlic powder
- Black pepper
- Smoked paprika
- A little salt
3. Make the sloppy joe mixture 🍅
Pour the Manwich sauce into the skillet with the beef.
Stir everything together and simmer over medium-low heat for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
The beef should become thick, saucy, and flavorful.
4. Prepare the cheesy shells 🧀
Prepare both boxes of Velveeta Shells & Cheese according to the package instructions.
Drain the pasta if required, then mix in the cheese sauce until completely creamy.
5. Assemble the loaded fries 🔥
For individual servings:
- Place a generous layer of crispy fries on a plate.
- Spoon the creamy cheesy shells over the fries.
- Add a generous portion of the sloppy joe beef.
- Sprinkle with shredded cheddar if using.
- Add several small spoonfuls of sour cream on top.
For a baked loaded-fries version, layer everything in a large oven-safe dish and sprinkle cheddar over the top. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 5–8 minutes, just until the cheese melts.
😍 Optional toppings
Take it up another level with:
- Diced green onions
- Pickled jalapeños 🌶️
- Crispy bacon
- Diced tomatoes
- Extra cheddar
- Ranch dressing
- Hot sauce
🔥 Quick Tip
Don’t put the sour cream in the oven. Add it after baking so it stays cool and creamy.
📌 Viral Facebook Caption
🍟🔥 SLOPPY JOE LOADED CHEESE FRIES!
Crispy fries + creamy cheesy shells + saucy sloppy joe beef + sour cream… 🤤🧀
This is the kind of comfort food that disappears FAST! Perfect for a family dinner, game night, or weekend treat.