Smothered Cheese Fries

August 10, 2021

It’s not always fresh garden vegetables and from scratch cakes around here. Looking for a quick, delicious recipe to satisfy your cheese fry craving? You came to the right place!

Here I’ve topped waffle fries (from Sprouts, which by the way, tasted exactly like Jack in the Box curly fries) with my incredible cheese sauce. Fun fact: my cheese sauce is one of the top five most popular recipes here on The Rose Table! The sauce takes about five minutes to make and has the most velvety texture. It’s to-die for.

This comes together very quickly. First, pop your frozen fries in the oven to bake. While the fries are baking, fry some bacon and chop chives. (Side bar: these chives are from my garden. They’re super easy to grow so I highly recommend growing them if you don’t already. I put chives on so many things!) Grate your cheese so you’re ready to rock ‘n’ roll when the fries come out of the oven. (And no, you do not want to use pre-grated cheese in this recipe. It WILL affect the creaminess. Grate a block of cheddar. It’ll be worth it.)

Make the cheese sauce, then pour it right over a pile of crispy fries. Ooh and ahh as the luscious sauce hits every nook and cranny of the fries. Sprinkle the prepared bacon and chives on top and voila! You’re welcomeeeeee.

Smothered Cheese Fries
1 bag waffle fries, frozen
2 strips thick-cut bacon
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1 cup whole milk (or 3/4 cup 1-2% milk and 1/4 cup cream)
8 oz sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp chili powder
Chives

Cook the fries according to package directions. (Mine baked at 425 for about 25 minutes.)
While the fries are cooking, snip bacon into lardons and fry until crispy. Drain on a paper towel and set aside. Chop chives.
Grate cheese. You should have two cups of cheddar. (Note: You don’t want to use pre-grated cheese if you want a really creamy dip. The pre-grated stuff doesn’t melt as nicely.)
When the fries are done, let them sit on the baking sheet while you make the cheese sauce. Melt 2 Tbsp butter in a saucepan. Whisk in flour and cook for two minutes, until bubbling. Turn the heat up and whisk in milk. Bring to a simmer, then remove from heat and slowly whisk in cheese, handful by handful, until fully incorporated. Whisk in salt and chili powder.
Transfer fries to a plate and pour the cheese sauce on top. Sprinkle with crispy bacon and chives.

Love it? Pin it!