Chili Cheese Fries

Get ready for some exciting, spicy, and soul-satisfying fries! Flavorful homemade chili loaded with ground beef, beans, and spices, topped with gooey, melty cheese, sits on a bed of crispy fries. A guaranteed crowd pleaser!

Course Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine American, Tex Mex

Diet Gluten Free

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 35

Total Time 50

Servings

Calories 465kcal

Author Imma

Ingredients

½ pound (250g) stew beef, diced
1½ pound (500g) ground beef
1 onion, diced
1 jalapeno, diced
3 tablespoons (24g) chili powder
¼ teaspoon (<1g) cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon (2g) dried thyme
1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
1 15-ounce can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 15-ounce can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1½ cups (350ml) beef broth
2 teaspoons (5-6g) ground cumin
2 teaspoon (3-4g) ground oregano
1½ teaspoon (3g) coriander
3 tablespoons (45g) masa harina
1 32-ounce bag frozen french fries (or homemade seasoned fries)
1-2 cups (112-224g) cheddar cheese, shredded

Instructions

Heat oil in a large saucepan and brown diced beef over medium-high heat.
Add ground beef, breaking up the meat while stirring, and cook until no longer pink (6-7 minutes).
Then toss in the onions, garlic, jalapenos, chili powder, cayenne pepper, and dried thyme.
Mix until thoroughly combined. Cook for another 3-4 minutes to allow the spices to develop their flavor.
Pour in the tomato sauce, followed by the beans and water or broth. Stir well and scrape down the sides.
Add cumin, oregano, coriander, and salt. Stir and bring to a boil over medium heat. Lower the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Add water if necessary to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan or burning, and adjust to the desired thickness.
Turn off the stove and remove the pot from the heat.
Spread the potatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake fries according to the package instructions (about 14-16 minutes), flipping them once with a spatula until crispy or until they reach your preferred texture.
When the fries are ready, transfer them to an oven-safe tray or pan. Top with prepared chili and sprinkle with cheese.
Broil in the oven for 4-5 minutes or until the cheese melts.
Top with desired toppings, and serve hot. Enjoy.

Notes

If you prefer frying the fries instead of baking them, don't forget to drain the excess oil to keep them crispy.
Add the chili and cheese sauce right when ready to serve to prevent the fries from being soggy.
Consult with the fam about how much spicy heat they want because you can skip the cayenne, pepper flakes, and jalapeno slices for a kid-friendly version.
Please remember that the nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used in the recipe.

Nutrition