Chili Cheese Fries Beef (Printable)
Golden crispy fries topped with spiced ground beef, melted cheddar, and sautéed onions, perfect for sharing.
# What You'll 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
17 - 2 tablespoons sliced jalapeños
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss fries with vegetable oil and spread evenly on a baking sheet. Bake according to package directions until golden and crispy, approximately 25-30 minutes.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking apart with a spoon, until browned throughout, about 5 minutes.
03 - Add the finely chopped yellow onion to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Mix in diced tomatoes, tomato paste, kidney beans, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, and cook for 10-15 minutes until thickened.
05 - Transfer crispy fries to an oven-safe serving dish. Pour hot chili evenly over the fries. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese generously across the top.
06 - Return the dish to the oven for 3-5 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and bubbling.
07 - Remove from oven and top with sliced red onion, fresh cilantro, and jalapeños if desired. Serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The homemade chili comes together faster than takeout and tastes infinitely better
- Everything bakes in one dish so cleanup is almost non-existent
02 -
- The chili needs to be thick enough to cling to the fries, so don't skip that simmer time
- Assemble everything just before serving or the fries will lose their crunch
03 -
- Don't overcrowd the baking sheet or your fries will steam instead of crisp
- Let the chili cool slightly before pouring so it doesn't make the fries soggy