Ultimate Beef Chili Cheese Fries
These Ultimate Beef Chili Cheese Fries are the perfect combination of crispy, cheesy, and spicy goodness! Ideal for gatherings like the Super Bowl or teen parties, this dish features a rich, homemade beef chili piled high over crispy golden fries, crowned with gooey cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Prepare the chili ahead of time to save on labor when you're ready to serve. The use of frozen fries makes this dish easy to whip up without sacrificing flavor. Whether for game day or a late-night snack, this hearty dish will satisfy everyone’s cravings!
N/A
Servings
400
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
Vegetable oil
2 tablespoons (none)
Chopped yellow onions
2 cups (chopped)
Salt
to taste (none)
Cayenne pepper
to taste (none)
Ground beef
2 lbs (none)
Chili powder
1 tablespoon (none)
Ground cumin
2 teaspoons (none)
Crushed red pepper flakes
to taste (none)
Dried oregano leaves
2 teaspoons (none)
Chopped garlic
2 tablespoons (chopped)
Canned diced tomatoes
3 cups (none)
Tomato paste
2 tablespoons (none)
Beef broth
3 cups (none)
Masa harina flour
3-4 tablespoons (none)
Frozen French fries or waffle-shaped French fries
1 (1/2 lb) bag (none)
Grated cheddar cheese
1/2 lb (grated)
Grated Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 lb (grated)
Sour cream
1 cup (none)
Pickled jalapeño peppers
1/2 cup (sliced)
Instructions
1
In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium heat. Season the chopped onions with salt and cayenne, and sauté for about 2 minutes until they begin to wilt.
2
Add the ground beef to the skillet, followed by the chili powder, ground cumin, crushed red pepper flakes, and dried oregano. Season with additional salt and cayenne to taste. Cook until the meat is browned and no longer pink.
3
Stir in the chopped garlic and cook for another minute. Then add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and 2 1/2 cups of beef broth. Bring the mixture to a boil and then lower the heat to medium-low.
4
Let the chili simmer uncovered for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally and skimming off any fat that rises to the surface.
5
In a small bowl, combine the masa harina flour with the remaining 1/2 cup of beef broth until the mixture is smooth. Gradually pour this mixture into the pot, stirring well to combine. This will help thicken the chili.
6
Continue to cook the chili for an additional 30 minutes. Adjust seasoning as needed.
7
While the chili is simmering, prepare the frozen French fries according to the package instructions until crispy. For added crunch, preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
8
In a large glass rectangular baking dish, layer the hot fries along the bottom. Evenly sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese over the fries and bake for 3 to 4 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
9
Remove the baking dish from the oven and generously spoon the hot beef chili over the top of the cheesy fries.
10
Garnish with dollops of sour cream and sliced pickled jalapeños. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
25g
Fat
25g
Carbs
20g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Ultimate Beef Chili Cheese Fries?
They are a hearty dish featuring crispy golden fries topped with a rich homemade beef chili and melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses.
What type of meat is used in the chili?
This recipe uses 2 lbs of ground beef for the chili topping.
How long does the beef chili need to simmer?
The chili simmers uncovered for about 1 hour initially, and then for an additional 30 minutes after adding the thickening agent.
How do you thicken the beef chili?
The chili is thickened by stirring in a smooth mixture of masa harina flour and beef broth.
What kinds of cheese are best for these fries?
A combination of 1/2 lb of grated cheddar cheese and 1/2 lb of grated Monterey Jack cheese is recommended.
What type of fries should I use?
You can use a 1.5 lb bag of frozen French fries or waffle-shaped French fries.
Can I make the chili ahead of time?
Yes, preparing the chili ahead of time is recommended to save on labor when you are ready to serve the fries.
What temperature should the oven be for baking the fries?
The oven should be preheated to 400 degrees F for extra crunch and to melt the cheese.
What are the recommended garnishes for chili cheese fries?
The dish is garnished with dollops of sour cream and sliced pickled jalapeños.
How many calories are in a serving of Ultimate Beef Chili Cheese Fries?
There are approximately 400 calories per serving.
How much protein is in this dish?
Each serving contains about 20g of protein.
What is the fat content per serving?
There is 25g of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in the fries?
Each serving contains 25g of carbohydrates.
What spices are used to season the beef?
The beef is seasoned with chili powder, ground cumin, crushed red pepper flakes, dried oregano, salt, and cayenne pepper.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 19 ingredients total, including garnishes like sour cream and jalapeños.
What is masa harina flour?
Masa harina is a corn-based flour used in this recipe to thicken the chili and add a distinct flavor.
Is there garlic in the recipe?
Yes, the recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of chopped garlic.
How long do I bake the cheese on the fries?
Bake the fries with the cheese for 3 to 4 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
What occasions are these fries good for?
They are perfect for the Super Bowl, teen parties, game days, or as a late-night snack.
What liquid base is used for the chili?
The chili uses a combination of 3 cups of beef broth and 3 cups of canned diced tomatoes.
Should the chili be covered while simmering?
No, the chili should simmer uncovered so that it can reduce and thicken.
How do I prep the onions?
You should chop 2 cups of yellow onions and sauté them in vegetable oil until they begin to wilt.
What kind of tomato products are needed?
You will need 3 cups of canned diced tomatoes and 2 tablespoons of tomato paste.
Can I adjust the spiciness of the chili?
Yes, you can adjust the salt, cayenne pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes to your taste preferences.
What is the first step in making the chili?
The first step is heating vegetable oil and sautéing the chopped onions with salt and cayenne for about 2 minutes.
Do I need to skim the fat off the chili?
Yes, the instructions recommend skimming off any fat that rises to the surface during the simmering process.
How much masa harina is required?
The recipe calls for 3-4 tablespoons of masa harina flour.
Is this a Tex-Mex dish?
Yes, it is tagged as a Tex-Mex comfort food dish.
How do you layer the final dish?
Layer the hot fries on the bottom, then the melted cheese, and finally spoon the hot beef chili over the top.
Should the chili be hot when served?
Yes, generously spoon the hot beef chili over the cheesy fries and serve immediately.