Chili Cheese Fries

About This Recipe

Chili cheese fries are the ultimate indulgent snack, a mound of crispy golden fries buried under a rich, meaty chili and a blanket of gooey cheese sauce. A diner and drive-in staple, they're the kind of shareable comfort food made for game day, late nights, and cravings. The contrast of crunchy fries against the warm, spiced chili and silky cheese is what makes them so addictive. Topped with green onions, jalapeños, or a dollop of sour cream, they straddle the line between side dish and full meal. Make the components from scratch or use shortcuts, either way, the result is messy, melty perfection.

Ingredients

Serves 4

• 1.5 lbsfrozen or fresh-cut french fries
• 1 lbground beef
• 1 smallonion, diced
• 1 tbspchili powder
• 1 tspground cumin
• 1 cantomato sauce (8 oz)
• 0.5 cupbeef broth
• 2 tbspbutter
• 2 tbspflour
• 1.5 cupsshredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cupmilk
• 2 wholegreen onions, sliced
• 1 wholejalapeño, sliced (optional)

Instructions

1. 1

   Bake or fry the fries

   Cook the fries according to package directions or fry fresh-cut potatoes until golden and crisp, then keep warm.

   For extra crispness, spread them in a single layer.

2. 2

   Make the chili

   Brown the ground beef with the onion, drain, then stir in the chili powder, cumin, tomato sauce, and beef broth.

3. 3

   Simmer the chili

   Simmer 15-20 minutes until thick and saucy.

   A thick chili keeps the fries from getting soggy.

4. 4

   Start the cheese sauce

   Melt the butter, whisk in the flour, and cook 1 minute, then slowly whisk in the milk until smooth and thickened.

   Whisk constantly to keep the sauce lump-free.

5. 5

   Finish the cheese sauce

   Off the heat, stir in the shredded cheddar until melted and glossy.

   Adding cheese off the heat prevents it from turning grainy.

6. 6

   Assemble

   Pile the hot fries on a platter, spoon the chili over the top, and drizzle generously with cheese sauce.

7. 7

   Garnish

   Scatter green onions and sliced jalapeño over the top and serve immediately.

Variations

• •

  Use shredded cheese or queso instead of a cheese sauce.

• •

  Add black beans or pinto beans to the chili.

• •

  Top with sour cream and pico de gallo.

• •

  Make it vegetarian with plant-based grounds.

Storage

Best fresh; store chili and cheese sauce separately for up to 3 days and reassemble over freshly cooked fries.

Frequently Asked Questions