Chili Cheese Fries with Beef (Print)

Crispy fries layered with seasoned ground beef chili and melted cheddar, topped with fresh garnishes.

# What You Need:

→ Fries

01 - 1.75 lbs frozen or fresh French fries
02 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil
03 - Salt, to taste

→ Chili

04 - 0.9 lbs ground beef
05 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
08 - 14 oz canned diced tomatoes
09 - 9 oz canned kidney beans, drained and rinsed
10 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
11 - 1 tsp ground cumin
12 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
13 - 0.5 tsp chili powder
14 - 0.5 tsp dried oregano
15 - 0.5 tsp salt
16 - 0.25 tsp black pepper
17 - 0.5 cup beef broth or water
18 - 2 tbsp olive oil

→ Toppings

19 - 5 oz shredded cheddar cheese
20 - 2 spring onions, thinly sliced
21 - 1 small jalapeño, sliced
22 - 2 tbsp sour cream
23 - Fresh cilantro, chopped

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F for optimal frying temperature.
02 - Toss fries with vegetable oil and salt. Spread on baking sheet in single layer. Bake according to package directions (20-25 minutes), turning halfway through for even crisping.
03 - Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until softened, 2-3 minutes.
04 - Add minced garlic and diced bell pepper to skillet. Cook for additional 2 minutes until fragrant.
05 - Add ground beef to skillet. Sauté until fully browned, breaking up with wooden spoon, approximately 5-7 minutes.
06 - Stir in tomato paste, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute to bloom spices.
07 - Add diced tomatoes, kidney beans, and beef broth. Bring to simmer, reduce heat, and cook uncovered for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens nicely.
08 - Taste chili and adjust salt, pepper, or chili powder as needed for balanced flavor.
09 - Transfer crispy fries to large ovenproof platter or baking dish, spreading evenly.
10 - Spoon hot chili evenly over fries. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese generously across top.
11 - Return assembled dish to oven for 5 minutes, or until cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
12 - Top with spring onions, jalapeño slices, sour cream, and fresh cilantro as desired. Serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The homemade chili has layers of flavor from smoked paprika and cumin that make it taste like it simmered all day even though it comes together in under 30 minutes
  • Everything bakes in stages so the fries stay crispy while the cheese gets perfectly melted and bubbly
02 -
  • Do not skip the step of turning the fries halfway through baking—this ensures every fry gets crispy not just the ones on top
  • Let the chili simmer until it thickens enough to coat a spoon back—watery chili will make the fries soggy within minutes
03 -
  • Use a box grater to shred your own cheddar from a block—pre shredded cheese contains anti caking agents that prevent smooth melting
  • Warm your serving platter in the oven for a few minutes before assembling—this keeps everything hotter longer

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