Chili Cheese Fries Beef (Printable View)
Crispy fries layered with savory beef chili and melted cheddar cheese, finished with fresh garnishes.
# Ingredient List:
→ Fries
01 - 1.75 lbs frozen or fresh French fries
02 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil
03 - Salt, to taste
→ Chili
04 - 14 oz 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 - 1/2 tsp chili powder, adjust to taste
14 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
15 - 1/2 tsp salt
16 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
17 - 1/2 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 Prepare:
01 - Preheat your oven to 425°F.
02 - Toss fries with vegetable oil and salt. Spread on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake according to package instructions (usually 20–25 minutes), turning halfway for even crisping.
03 - While fries bake, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, 2–3 minutes.
04 - Add garlic and bell pepper. Cook for another 2 minutes.
05 - Add ground beef. Sauté until browned, breaking up with a spoon, about 5–7 minutes.
06 - Stir in tomato paste, cumin, paprika, chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute.
07 - Add diced tomatoes, beans, and beef broth. Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat and cook uncovered for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
08 - Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
09 - Once fries are golden and crispy, transfer to a large ovenproof platter or baking dish. Spoon hot chili evenly over fries. Sprinkle cheddar cheese on top.
10 - Return to oven for 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
11 - Garnish with spring onions, jalapeño, sour cream, and cilantro as desired. Serve immediately.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The homemade chili develops such deep flavor in just 40 minutes, you will never go back to canned
- Everything happens in one oven plus one skillet, making cleanup surprisingly manageable
02 -
- Letting the chili reduce until it is thick prevents your fries from becoming soggy under the weight of too much liquid
- Using an ovenproof serving dish means you can melt the cheese directly on the fries without transferring
03 -
- Pre shred your own cheese from a block instead of buying pre shredded bags for better melting
- Keep the chili warm while fries finish baking so everything comes together at the right temperature