Chili cheese fries loaded (Printable Version)

Golden fries covered in rich chili and melted cheddar for a hearty, shareable treat.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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

→ 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)

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add finely chopped 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, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned throughout, about 5 minutes.
03 - Stir in tomato paste, ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper if using. Cook for 1 minute until aromatic.
04 - Add canned chopped tomatoes and drained kidney beans. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat, and cook uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened.
05 - Prepare the French fries according to package instructions by frying or baking until golden and crisp.
06 - Set oven temperature to 400°F (200°C).
07 - Spread the cooked fries evenly on an ovenproof platter or baking sheet. Spoon hot chili over the fries, ensuring even coverage. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top.
08 - Bake in the preheated oven for 5 to 7 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
09 - Remove from oven and garnish with thinly sliced spring onions and chopped cilantro or parsley if desired. Serve immediately with optional sour cream on the side.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour, so you can feed a crowd without spending your whole evening in the kitchen.
  • The chili has real depth from cumin and smoked paprika, not just canned flavor masking everything.
  • Melted cheese stretching over hot fries is the kind of simple comfort that never gets old.
02 -
  • Don't skip simmering the chili—the longer it bubbles, the more the flavors meld and the thicker it becomes, which stops your fries from getting soggy.
  • Assemble everything right before baking, because cold chili on warm fries creates steam that makes them limp instead of staying crispy.
  • If your cheese isn't bubbling after seven minutes, keep it in another minute or two—melted and bubbly tastes infinitely better than just melted.
03 -
  • Let your chili simmer uncovered so the moisture evaporates and everything concentrates into something thicker and more flavorful.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning right before serving—the salt levels change as liquid reduces, so trust your palate at the end.
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