Hey foodies! If you’re anything like me, you can’t resist a good lasagne – but how about we take it up a notch? Enter the Lasagne Loaded Fries, which combines the best of both worlds crispy fries smothered in cheesy, saucy lasagne goodness. This dish has been a favorite of mine ever since I made it, and trust me, it’s a crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re in the mood for a snack or a hearty meal, these fries will hit the spot. Plus, they’re packed with protein, so you can indulge without guilt!
Method
1. Prepare the Fries
Start by cutting the potatoes into chip-sized pieces. Microwave the potatoes for 7 minutes to soften them slightly. After microwaving, spray the potato chips with low-cal cooking spray and season with chip seasoning. Then, air fry the fries at 190°C for about 15 minutes, or until they become crispy and golden. If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake them in the oven just make sure to monitor them closely to avoid burning.
2. Make the Bolognese
Heat 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrot, and celery, and cook until softened, which should take about 5-7 minutes. Then, toss in the crushed garlic and cook for another minute to release its flavor. Add the beef mince to the pan and cook it until browned and fully cooked. Stir in the tomato purée, Worcester sauce, soy sauce, and mixed herbs. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and give everything a good stir. Pour in the tinned tomatoes, add a quarter can of water, and toss in the beef stock pot or cube. Stir everything well, ensuring the stock pot dissolves. Let the mixture simmer for at least 20 minutes, but the longer it simmers, the more flavorful it will become.
3. Assemble the Loaded Fries
Once the fries are crispy and the bolognese is simmering, lay the fries flat on a serving dish or plate. Spread half of the white sauce evenly over the fries. Then, sprinkle a generous layer of grated mozzarella and cheddar cheese over the top. Next, add a layer of the bolognese sauce, followed by another layer of white sauce and a final layer of cheese. This layering process creates that rich, lasagne-like texture.
4. Melt the Cheese and Final Touches
Place the dish back into the air fryer or under a hot grill for a few minutes, just long enough for the cheese to melt and everything to become crispy and bubbly.
Necessary Tools
- Microwave-safe bowl
- Knife & chopping board
- Air fryer or oven
- Frying pan
- Spoon for stirring
- Grater for cheese
Lasagne Loaded Fries The Ultimate Comfort Dish!
Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy3
servings15
minutes25
minutes40
minutesIngredients
For the Loaded Fries
350g potatoes
1 tsp chip seasoning
Low-cal cooking spray
40g lasagne white sauce
40g grated mozzarella & cheddar cheese mix (you can use reduced-fat cheese for fewer calories)
1/5 of the bolognese recipe (see below!)
For the Bolognese
1/2 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
500g 5% fat beef mince
1 tbsp tomato purée
1 tbsp Worcester sauce
Dash of soy sauce
Salt & pepper to taste
1 tbsp mixed herbs
1 tin of tomatoes
1 beef stock pot or cube
Directions
- Prepare the Fries
Cut the potatoes into chip-sized pieces and microwave them for 7 minutes. This gives them a head start before they hit the fryer.
Spray them with low-cal cooking spray, season with chip seasoning, and then air fry for 15 minutes at 190°C (or until crispy). Alternatively, you can bake them in the oven. - Make the Bolognese
Heat olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrot, and celery. Cook until softened.
Toss in the garlic and beef mince, then brown the meat. Once browned, stir in the tomato purée, Worcester sauce, soy sauce, mixed herbs, and season with salt and pepper.
Pour in the tinned tomatoes, add a quarter of the can of water, and add the beef stock pot. Stir everything together and let it simmer for at least 20 minutes. The longer it simmers, the more flavorful it gets! - Assemble the Loaded Fries
Once the fries are crispy, lay them on a serving dish.
Spread half of the white sauce over the fries, followed by a generous layer of cheese. Then, add the bolognese sauce, followed by another layer of white sauce and cheese.
Pop everything back into the air fryer or under a hot grill for a few minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and everything is crispy.
Notes
- Make sure to check the fries halfway through air frying to avoid burning. Everyone’s air fryer is a little different, so keep an eye on them!
- When simmering the bolognese sauce, feel free to adjust the seasoning to your taste. You can add more herbs or a splash of red wine for extra depth!
- Layering the sauce and cheese properly will give you that gooey, melty, lasagne-like experience. Don’t skip this step!
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with a side salad to balance out the richness of the fries.
- Pair with garlic bread for that extra indulgence.
- If you’re feeling adventurous, top with some jalapeños for a little heat!
Fun Fact
Did you know that lasagne originated in Ancient Greece? They used to make a dish called Laganon, which was made of layers of pasta and sauce sounds familiar, right? This modern twist is a perfect mashup of old and new.
Conclusion
These Lasagne Loaded Fries are the ultimate comfort food. They’re cheesy, hearty, and packed with flavor, all in one crispy, golden bite. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or sharing with friends (if you’re feeling generous!), this dish is sure to be a hit. So, go ahead, indulge, and enjoy the perfect balance of fries and lasagne in one amazing recipe!
