Cheese Fries

Ingredients

• 28 oz. frozen French fries
• 4 strips thick cut bacon, uncooked
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1 oz. cream cheese
• 1 tsp. yellow mustard
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/2 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped pickle chips
• 1 Tbsp. chopped chives
• Ranch dressing, for serving

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 450° or according to package instructions. Place the frozen French fries on a rimmed baking sheet.
2. Add the bacon to a medium skillet over medium heat, and cook until browned and crispy. Transfer the bacon slices to a paper towel and set aside. Leave the bacon grease in the skillet and reduce the heat to medium-low.
3. Bake the fries according to package instructions while making the cheese sauce.
4. Whisk in the flour to the skillet with bacon grease. Cook, whisking constantly for 1 minute.
5. Whisk in the milk and cook until thickened, about 1 to 2 minutes. Whisk in the cream cheese, mustard, and salt until completely combined.
6. Remove from the heat. Gradually add the cheddar and colby jack cheeses, while whisking, until fully melted and smooth. 
7. Remove the fries from oven and place on serving plate. Pour the cheese sauce over the hot fries. Crumble the bacon over the fries and top with pickle chips and chives. Serve immediately alongside ranch dressing.