Description
These Cajun Dirty Loaded Fries combine crispy oven-baked potatoes with Cajun-spiced ground beef and turkey , colorful peppers, gooey melted cheese, and a sweet and spicy Cajun mayo. Bold, cheesy, and satisfying, they’re perfect for an easy family dinner, game day, or a fun weekend meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cajun Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ¾ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¾ teaspoon cayenne pepper
For the Loaded Fries
- 800g (28.2 oz) russet potatoes, peeled and sliced into fries
- 250g (8.8 oz) extra-lean ground beef
- 250g (8.8 oz) extra-lean ground turkey
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
- ½ cup (120ml) chicken stock
- 60g (2.1 oz) reduced-fat mozzarella, grated
- 60g (2.1 oz) reduced-fat cheddar, grated
- 3 green onions, green parts thinly sliced
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Low-calorie cooking spray
For the Cajun Mayo
- 4 tablespoons reduced-fat mayonnaise
- 1½ teaspoons honey
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1½ teaspoons prepared Cajun seasoning
Instructions
- Make the Cajun seasoning: Combine the paprika, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, oregano, thyme, and cayenne in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Preheat the oven: Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C/180°C fan). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare the potatoes: Rinse the sliced potatoes under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain and pat completely dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.
- Prepare the Cajun mayo: Whisk the mayonnaise with honey, 2 tablespoons water, and 1½ teaspoons Cajun seasoning until smooth. Set aside.
- Season the fries: Arrange the potatoes on the prepared baking sheet. Add 1½ teaspoons Cajun seasoning plus salt and black pepper. Toss well, spray generously with cooking spray, and spread into an even layer.
- Bake: Bake for approximately 40 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the fries are crisp and golden brown.
- Cook the meat: Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, ground turkey , onion, and garlic. Cook until the meat is browned, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks.
- Add the peppers and seasoning: Stir in the remaining Cajun seasoning, red and green bell peppers, chicken stock, salt, and black pepper. Cook until the peppers soften, the stock reduces, and the meat begins to caramelize.
- Reserve half the meat: Remove half of the cooked meat mixture and save it for another meal. Cool before refrigerating or freezing.
- Load the fries: Spoon the remaining meat mixture over the baked fries. Sprinkle evenly with mozzarella and cheddar.
- Melt the cheese: Return to the oven for 6–8 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
- Finish and serve: Sprinkle with sliced green onions and drizzle with Cajun mayo. Serve immediately while hot and crispy.
Notes
- Dry the potatoes thoroughly. Excess moisture makes it harder for homemade fries to become crisp.
- Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet. Use two trays if necessary so the potatoes roast instead of steam.
- For milder Cajun Dirty Loaded Fries, reduce the cayenne to ¼–½ teaspoon.
- Let the chicken stock reduce before adding the meat to the fries. A watery topping can make them soggy.
- The recipe intentionally makes extra meat filling. Cool and freeze half for an easy future batch.
- For the best texture, assemble the loaded fries immediately before serving.
- Nutrition information is an estimate and depends on the exact ingredients and brands used.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 48 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Oven-Baked, Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun-Inspired / American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (¼ recipe)
- Calories: 640 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 62 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 39 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg