Chili Cheese Fries Beef Onions (Printable)

Golden fries topped with spicy chili, melted cheddar cheese, and sautéed onions for a comforting meal.

# What's Needed:

→ Fries Base

01 - 1.75 lbs frozen or fresh potato fries
02 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

→ Chili Components

03 - 14 oz ground beef
04 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 14 oz can diced tomatoes
07 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
08 - 14 oz can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
09 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
10 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
11 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
13 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Toppings

14 - 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
15 - 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
16 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
17 - 2 tablespoons sliced jalapeños

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss fries with vegetable oil and spread evenly on a baking sheet. Bake according to package directions until golden and crispy, approximately 25-30 minutes.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking apart with a wooden spoon, until thoroughly browned, about 5 minutes.
03 - Add finely chopped yellow onion to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Mix in diced tomatoes, tomato paste, kidney beans, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, and cook for 10-15 minutes until thickened.
05 - Transfer crispy fries to an oven-safe serving dish. Pour hot chili evenly over the fries and top with shredded cheddar cheese.
06 - Return the dish to the oven for 3-5 minutes, or until cheese is completely melted and bubbling.
07 - Remove from oven. Top with sliced red onion, fresh cilantro, and jalapeños if desired. Serve immediately while hot.

# Tips for Success:

01 -
  • The homemade chili tastes so much better than anything from a can
  • Everything comes together in under an hour for the ultimate comfort food
  • Customizable toppings mean everyone can make theirs exactly how they like it
02 -
  • Dont skip draining the kidney beans or your chili will be too watery
  • Let the chili thicken properly before adding it to the fries or they'll get soggy fast
  • Shred your own cheese from a block instead of buying pre-shredded for better melting
03 -
  • Make the chili ahead of time and reheat it while the fries bake for easier timing
  • Use a rimmed baking sheet to prevent any cheese drips from smoking in your oven
  • Serve these immediately because they're at their absolute best when the cheese is still molten

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