Irish Nachos (v) Recipe

Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Spread the frozen waffle fries in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and toss to coat; season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.

Bake fries according to package instructions until crisp and golden, about 20–25 minutes, turning once halfway through for even browning. For extra crispiness, broil 1–2 minutes at the end while watching closely.

Make a roux

While fries bake, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons flour and whisk constantly for 1–2 minutes until it bubbles and turns a pale golden color — this cooks out the raw flour taste.

Gradually whisk in 1 cup whole milk, bringing mixture to a gentle simmer. Continue whisking until slightly thickened, about 2–3 minutes.

Reduce heat to low. Whisk in 2 ounces softened cream cheese until smooth, then add 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar and 1/2 cup shredded monterey jack a handful at a time, stirring until melted and smooth. Keep the sauce on low heat so cheeses don’t seize.

Stir in 3 tablespoons chopped pickled jalapeños (or minced fresh jalapeños), 1 teaspoon jalapeño juice, 1/4 teaspoon cumin, 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning or jalapeño heat as desired. If sauce becomes too thick, loosen with up to 2 tablespoons milk.

Keep queso warm over lowest heat, stirring occasionally, until ready to assemble. If making ahead, rewarm gently and whisk in a splash of milk to restore texture.

While queso is finishing and fries are hot, prepare toppings: dice 1 cup roma tomatoes, finely dice 1/2 cup red onion, thinly slice 1 fresh jalapeño if using, slice 2 green onions, and chop 2 tablespoons cilantro.

Arrange the baked waffle fries on a large serving platter or individual plates in an even layer.

Ladle the warm jalapeño queso evenly over the fries, using as much or as little sauce as desired to coat the fries.

Scatter the diced tomatoes and red onion over the cheesy fries. Add sliced fresh jalapeño for extra heat if desired. Sprinkle sliced green onions and chopped cilantro on top for brightness.

Serve immediately with 1/2 cup sour cream and 1/2 cup salsa on the side for dipping, plus lime wedges. Encourage diners to spoon sour cream or salsa over portions as desired.