Quiet those hunger pains in a hurry with a big plate of cheesy disco fries!

Crispy oven baked fries are smothered in melted mozzarella, and drenched in a homemade beef gravy.

This rich and hearty dish is a meal in itself, so grab a fork and dig in!

tray of finished disco fries with cheese, and one fry being held

Cheesy Disco Fries

  • French fries topped with melted cheese and beef gravy are a simple, hearty, and savory dish that satisfies hungry appetites fast!
  • New Jersey diners popularized this dish, which also goes by the name “Jersey fries.” The name “disco fries” traces its origin to the name given by hungry patrons ordering it at diners after dancing all night in disco clubs.
  • Gravy fries are a classic crowd-pleaser! Nothing’s more comforting after a hard day’s work (or play!) than a hot plateful of smothered fries!
potatoes, gravy and mozzarella cheese assembled to make disco fries.

Ingredients and Variations

Potatoes – Thick cut Russet potatoes are fluffy and hold up well to the gravy. Leave the skins on for some extra crisp and flavor. You can also use French fries, waffle fries, and other popular choices are curly fries or tater tots despite their tendency toward sogginess.

Cheese – Melty cheeses are best. Shredded mozzarella is the classic choice, but you can substitute or combine American, Monterey Jack, Swiss, provolone, or crumbled blue cheese.

Gravy – Condensed beef broth will give the homemade gravy used in this recipe the best flavor, but in a pinch, you can use a gravy packet as well. Chicken, mushroom or onion gravy, are also options.

Variations – Give them some bite with a drizzle of buffalo sauce, top with sour cream, or tangy quesadilla sauce. Make them extra rich with a velvety cheese sauce, or top with cooked ground beef, sausage, or crumbled bacon accompanied with a white sauce instead of gravy. Try covering fries with Sloppy Joe sauce. Or, go Canadian-style with cheese curds instead of mozzarella, and re-dub them “poutine!”

How to Make Disco Fries

Three steps are involved in performing this disco fries dance!

Potatoes:

  1. Wash and cut potatoes into ½-inch fries.
  2. Soak in cold water for 30 minutes, then drain and dry well.
  3. Toss with oil and salt and bake in a hot oven for 40 – 45 minutes, turning halfway through, as described in the recipe below.

Gravy:

  1. In a pan, sauté onion until soft.
  2. Add garlic, tomato paste, and seasonings and cook for 2 minutes more.
  3. Stir in butter and flour and cook, stirring constantly.
  4. Add concentrated beef broth and water to desired thickness, and bring to a simmer.
  5. Strain out any lumps and remix to a smooth consistency.

Assembly:

  1. Place hot fries on a serving plate and top with shredded mozzarella.
  2. Pour very hot gravy over the fries and cheese.
  3. Serve immediately

Disco Fries Tips!

  • Be sure to soak the cut fries in cold water, then drain and dry completely before cooking. This will remove the starch and ensure a good golden brown crisp.
  • Assemble fries just before serving, or better yet, let everyone help themselves to the gravy. This will prevent the potatoes from getting soggy.
  • Thick fries are best for holding up to the gravy and staying crisp.
hand holding a fry covered in cheese and gravy

Leftover Disco Fries

Store leftover fries in the refrigerator 2-3 days without toppings. To re-crisp, pop them in a pan with a couple tablespoons of hot oil, flipping and turning them for a couple minutes until hot and crispy again. Top with cheese and gravy and enjoy!

Other Easy Appetizers To Try!

Have you tried this recipe for Disco Fries? Leave a comment and rating below!

tray of fries with cheese and gravy
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Disco Fries

Disco fries with gravy and cheese are delicious served as an appetizer, snack or side dish!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Soak Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Author Holly

Ingredients  

  • cup mozzarella cheese shredded

Fries

Brown Gravy

  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • ½ onion diced
  • ½ Tablespoon tomato paste
  • ½ teaspoon thyme
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • ¼ cup butter
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 ¼ cups condensed beef broth

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

Fries

  • Wash potatoes (peel if desired) and cut into ½" fries.
  • In a large bowl, soak in cold water for at least 30 minutes. Remove and dry very well.
  • Toss with oil and salt. Spread on prepared pan in a single layer.
  • Bake for 20 minutes, then turn oven to 425° and cook fries until golden (about 20-25 minutes more)

Gravy

  • In a saucepan, cook onion in oil over medium heat until tender. Add garlic, tomato paste, seasonings, and cook for 2 minutes.
  • Stir in butter, add flour and cook for 5 minutes stirring constantly.
  • Add beef broth and 1 cup of water a bit at a time stirring after each addition until smooth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes. Strain through a mesh strainer.

Assembly

  • Place fries on a serving plate and top with mozzarella cheese. Pour very hot gravy over the fries and cheese.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Soak the cut fries in cold water. Drain and dry them well before cooking.
  • Assemble disco fries just before serving to avoid the potatoes from becoming soggy. 
  • Refrigerate leftover disco fries separately for 2-3 days. 
  • Reheat fries in the oven, or on the stovetop. Gravy can be reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop. Once reheated, assemble as per directions and enjoy.
5 from 6 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
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Nutrition Information

Calories: 387kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 523mg | Potassium: 887mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 527IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 136mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine American

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parchment lined tray of fries with cheese and gravy, with text
gravy poured over parchment lined tray of fries with cheese, with text
gravy poured over parchment lined tray of fries with cheese, and a tray with one fry being held under the writing

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