Description
A comforting and hearty Chili Cheese Fries recipe featuring flavorful homemade chili topped with melted cheddar cheese served over crispy oven-baked russet potato fries. Perfect for a cozy meal or game day snack.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chili
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 cup chopped onion
- â…“ cup chopped red pepper
- â…“ cup chopped green pepper
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 cans kidney beans, rinsed
- 1 can petite diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ½ tablespoon red cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Fries
- 2 pounds russet potatoes
- cooking oil spray
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Pinch of salt
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, red and green peppers, and minced garlic. Sauté until the vegetables are tender, about 5-7 minutes.
- Brown Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the pot and cook, stirring frequently, until browned and no longer pink, about 7-10 minutes.
- Add Chili Ingredients: Stir in beef broth, kidney beans, drained diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and cayenne pepper (if using). Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low for simmering.
- Simmer Chili: Allow the chili to simmer gently for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper to taste before removing from heat.
- Prepare Fries: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Cut russet potatoes into thick fries. Spray the fries with cooking oil and season them evenly with smoked paprika, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt.
- Bake Fries: Arrange the seasoned fries in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through until fries are crisp and golden brown.
- Assemble and Serve: Serve the hot chili over the crispy baked fries. Top generously with shredded cheddar cheese and enjoy immediately while warm and melty.
Notes
- For a healthier version, use lean ground beef or substitute with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives.
- If you prefer spicier chili, increase the cayenne pepper or add hot sauce to taste.
- To make fries crispier, soak cut potatoes in cold water for 30 minutes before baking to remove excess starch.
- Leftover chili can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stove or microwave.
- You can customize the chili by adding other vegetables like corn or jalapeños according to your preference.
