Chili Cheese Fries Loaded (Printable Version)

Golden fries topped with spiced beef chili and melted cheddar cheese for a tasty bite.

# 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 1/3 pounds frozen French fries (or homemade)
14 - Vegetable oil, for frying or baking

→ Topping

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)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
02 - Add ground beef to the saucepan and cook, breaking into small pieces, until browned, approximately 5 minutes.
03 - Stir in tomato paste, ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. Cook for 1 minute until aromatic.
04 - Add canned chopped tomatoes and kidney beans. Season with salt and black pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
05 - While chili simmers, prepare the French fries according to package instructions by baking or frying until golden and crisp.
06 - Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
07 - Arrange cooked fries on a large ovenproof platter or baking sheet. Spoon hot chili evenly over the fries, then sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese.
08 - Bake assembled fries for 5 to 7 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
09 - Remove from oven, garnish with spring onions and fresh cilantro or parsley. Serve immediately with sour cream on the side if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than delivery, and tastes infinitely better than anything you'd order.
  • The chili is rich enough to stand alone, but layered with crispy fries and melted cheese, it becomes something completely different.
  • It's the rare dish that works as a casual snack, a side for grilled meats, or the whole meal itself.
02 -
  • Don't skip the step of draining and rinsing the kidney beans—it prevents the sauce from becoming starchy and keeps it smooth instead of gloppy.
  • The fries need to be hot and crispy when they hit the chili and cheese, or they'll absorb moisture and lose their texture by the time you serve them.
  • Taste your chili before the final assembly; the spices can vary wildly between brands, so you might want more heat or more salt than the recipe suggests.
03 -
  • Add an extra tablespoon of tomato paste to the initial sauté if you want a deeper, more concentrated chili flavor that rivals hours of simmering.
  • Use a mix of cheddar and pepper jack cheese for a subtle kick, or stir a pinch of smoked paprika into your shredded cheese before sprinkling for more depth.
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