Chili Cheese Fries Beef (Printable Version)
Crispy fries topped with savory chili, melted cheddar, and sautéed onions for a flavorful main dish.
# What You'll Need:
→ Fries
01 - 1.75 lbs frozen or fresh potato fries
02 - 2 tbsp 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 tbsp tomato paste
08 - 1 can (14 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
09 - 1 tsp ground cumin
10 - 1 tsp chili powder
11 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
12 - ½ tsp salt
13 - ¼ tsp black pepper
→ Toppings
14 - 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
15 - ½ medium red onion, thinly sliced
16 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
17 - 2 tbsp sliced jalapeños
# 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 Tips:
01 -
- The homemade chili is infinitely better than anything from a can and comes together in under 20 minutes
- Everything bakes on one sheet pan so cleanup is practically nonexistent
02 -
- Do not skip spreading the fries in a single layer or they will steam instead of crisp up
- Letting the chili simmer until thickened is crucial because watery chili makes soggy fries
03 -
- Pat your fries completely dry before tossing with oil for maximum crispiness
- Let the chili rest for 5 minutes off the heat before serving so the flavors really settle