Chili Cheese Fries (Printer-friendly)

Golden fries layered with spiced beef chili and melted cheddar for a flavorful snack or side dish.

# Ingredient List:

→ Chili

01 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 9 ounces ground beef
05 - 1 tablespoon tomato paste
06 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
10 - 14 ounces canned chopped tomatoes
11 - 7 ounces canned kidney beans, drained and rinsed
12 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Fries

13 - 1.3 pounds frozen French fries (or homemade if preferred)
14 - Vegetable oil, for frying or baking

→ Toppings

15 - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
16 - 2 spring onions, thinly sliced
17 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro or parsley (optional)
18 - Sour cream, for serving (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat; add onion and cook until soft, approximately 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
02 - Add ground beef to the saucepan and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until evenly browned, about 5 minutes.
03 - Incorporate tomato paste, ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add canned chopped tomatoes and drained kidney beans; season with salt and black pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer, reduce heat, and cook uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened.
05 - Prepare French fries according to package directions by baking or frying until golden and crispy.
06 - Set oven temperature to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking loaded fries.
07 - Arrange cooked fries evenly on a large ovenproof platter or baking sheet. Spoon hot chili over the fries and sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese.
08 - Place platter in oven and bake for 5 to 7 minutes until the cheese has melted and is bubbly.
09 - Remove from oven; garnish with sliced spring onions and chopped cilantro or parsley if desired. Serve immediately with optional sour cream on the side.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than you'd expect, leaving you more time to relax with whoever you're feeding.
  • The chili builds real depth from a handful of spices and a little patience—not complicated, just thoughtful.
  • Melted cheese over hot chili over crispy fries is the kind of thing that makes people genuinely happy.
02 -
  • Don't skimp on the simmering time for chili—those 20 to 25 minutes aren't optional, they're when everything deepens and the raw spice flavors settle into something unified.
  • Add your cheese right before baking, not before—if it sits on the hot fries too long it can separate and become greasy instead of creamy.
  • Taste the chili before you assemble everything and adjust salt and heat—frozen fries can be salty, so you might need less than you think.
03 -
  • Toast your spices in the hot oil for a few extra seconds before you add anything wet—it makes their flavor bolder and more present in the finished dish.
  • If your chili tastes thin, let it simmer longer instead of adding cornstarch; the natural tomato and bean solids will thicken it beautifully if you give them time.
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