Chili Cheese Fries Beef Onions (Print)
Crispy fries loaded with a hearty beef chili, melted cheddar, and sautéed onions in a comforting dish.
# What You Need:
→ Fries
01 - 1.75 lbs frozen or fresh potato fries
02 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
→ Chili
03 - 14 oz ground beef
04 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
07 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
08 - 1 can (14 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
09 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
10 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
11 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - ½ teaspoon salt
13 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
→ Toppings
14 - 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
15 - ½ medium red onion, thinly sliced
16 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
17 - 2 tablespoons sliced jalapeños (optional)
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 425°F. Toss fries with vegetable oil and spread on a baking sheet. Bake according to package instructions or until golden and crispy, about 25-30 minutes.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned, about 5 minutes.
03 - Add the finely chopped yellow onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
04 - Mix in diced tomatoes, tomato paste, kidney beans, cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, and cook for 10-15 minutes until thickened.
05 - When fries are ready, transfer them to an oven-safe dish. Pour hot chili evenly over the fries. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top.
06 - Return the dish to the oven for 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
07 - Remove from the oven and top with sliced red onion, cilantro, and jalapeños if desired. Serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The combination of hot crispy fries with homemade chili creates layers of texture and flavor that restaurant versions never quite achieve
- Everything comes together in under an hour, making it perfect for feeding a hungry crowd without spending all day in the kitchen
02 -
- Do not skip the step of transferring fries to an oven-safe dish before adding toppings, otherwise the cheese will burn before the fries finish cooking through
- Let the chili thicken properly in the skillet, or you will end up with soggy fries no matter how crispy they started
03 -
- Season your fries with a little extra salt right when they come out of the oven for maximum flavor impact
- Work quickly once the fries are done so they do not lose their precious crunch