Chili Cheese Fries
Chili Cheese Fries combines tasty fries, savory chili and creamy melted cheese all in one fun entree or snack. Serve it for Game Day, a fun dinner or the Cub Scout Meeting!
I never used to think of chili as fun. Warming and comforting? Yes. Practical and versatile? For sure. Satisfying for whole family? Absolutely!
But that was until I had some Frito Pie, while on vacation in New Mexico. It’s chili, mixed with Fritos and more–and it’s super tasty. People sometimes even serve it in the Frito bag! Now that’s fun!
And now, I’ve decided that Chili Cheese Fries is fun too! You top a tray of piping hot fries with scoops of flavorful chili, melty cheese and whatever toppings you’d like.
Yes, I think that’s like… 3 comfort foods in one!
Why You’ll Love This!
Tasty. Chili is tasty in the first place—then cheese and fries put it over the top!
Easy. Maybe it’s cheating but I skip making a special cheese sauce on mine and just use grated cheese. After adding the chili and toppings, I think this is just as nice, plus easier and healthier.
Fun and Versatile. Chili cheese fries is perfect for a snack or a meal. How can you beat that!
What You’ll Need
Ingredient Notes
- Chili. Use your favorite recipe, or my recipe (detailed below). Or you can even use canned chili.
- Cheese. I used cheddar, but you do you.
- Fries. I used frozen this time but homemade are almost as easy
Special Tools
- No special tools required!
Step by Step Overview
Prepare the chili. You can use your favorite chili, my chili recipe (included below) or simply heat canned chili. When done, hold at a very low simmer.
Prepare the fries according to package directions or make your favorite homemade recipe.
When the fries are done, spread them out across a broiler proof skillet or baking pan, then top with grated cheese. Broil until cheese is just melted. Time will vary but it was about 2-3 minutes under my (very hot) broiler.
Top cheese covered fries with hot chili, then sprinkle with toppings of your choice.
Enjoy.
Tips & FAQs
Since you won’t want a lot of excess liquid from the chili running all over your fries, you’ll want to use a pretty thick recipe. Otherwise, drain off some of the liquid from the prepared chili.
I made this in a cast iron pan because it is so much fun to serve in! What you see in the pictures is a half recipe,. For the full amount, you could pile thicker in the same pan (what most people do), go with two pans or even a 9 x 13 baking pan.
I used sliced peppers, sour cream and cilantro as toppings. ‘Cause I love to add-a-veggie anywhere I can!
More Comforting Chili Recipes
- Easy Tomato, Kidney Bean, and Roast Beef Chili Soup from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
- Mole Chili from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- Tommy’s Chili Copycat from That Recipe
- Turkey and Quinoa Chili from Jen Around the World
- White Bean Chicken Chili with Hominy from The Spiffy Cookie
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Easiest Chili Cheese Fries
Ingredients
Cheesy Fries
- 30-32 ounce frozen fries
- 2-3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Toppings of your choice, like onions, peppers, cilantro, sour cream
Simple Chili (or you can use 2 cans of canned chili or your favorite chili recipe):
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 Onion diced
- 2 cups canned tomatoes with juices or fresh, seeded & chopped plus 2 Tablespoons tomato paste.
- 1 package taco seasoning or 1 T Chili powder and 1 T Cumin
- 1 Tablespoon Chili powder in addition to the above
- 2 cups beans 1 15 ounce can, drained and rinsed
- 1 bell pepper diced optional
Instructions
- Prepare the chili as follows (alternatively, you can heat up leftover or canned chili or use your own favorite recipe). In a skillet or Dutch Oven, brown, the ground beef, then add the chopped onion and chopped pepper if using. Simmer until the beef is cooked through and the vegetables are tender, about 10 more minutes. Add remaining ingredients and cook another 10 minutes until flavors have blended. Hold at a very low simmer until fries are ready.
- Prepare the fries according to package directions or make your favorite homemade recipe.
- When the fries are hot, spread them out across a broiler proof skillet or baking pan, then top with grated cheese.
- Broil until cheese is just melted. Time will vary but it was about 2-3 minutes under my (very hot) broiler.
- Top cheese covered fries with hot chili, then sprinkle with toppings of your choice.
Nutrition
Chili Cheese Fries? Yes, please! I love how you’ve simplified it with grated cheese instead of a sauce. it keeps things easy and still delivers that comforting combo of flavours.
I’m a total sucker for chili cheese fries! If they’re on the menu I will always order them for an appetizer. So so good! I can’t wait to try the chili part for other recipes!
A very fun recipe… But could we use it while watching the opera? Or a rom-com? Those would be our version of game day!
Pretty much my favorite way to enjoy chili! Three of my favorite foods all in one!
I agree Karen!