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Best Football Sunday Chili Cheese Fries Bar (Easy Game Day Recipe)

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A build-your-own chili cheese fries bar with crispy fries, hearty beef chili, and silky cheddar cheese sauce, perfect for game day gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes (fire-roasted preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 cup beef broth (low-sodium)
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup whole milk, warm
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Pinch of cayenne (optional)
  • 2 pounds frozen French fries (thick-cut or steak fries)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt for sprinkling
  • Sour cream (for topping bar)
  • Fresh jalapeños, sliced (for topping bar)
  • Green onions, sliced (for topping bar)
  • Fresh tomatoes, diced (for topping bar)
  • Shredded lettuce (for topping bar)
  • Pickled jalapeños (for topping bar)
  • Hot sauce (for topping bar)
  • Extra shredded cheddar (for topping bar)
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped (for topping bar)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Spread frozen fries in a single layer on two rimmed baking sheets. Bake according to package directions, about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.
  2. While fries bake, heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned, about 6-8 minutes. Leave about 1 tablespoon of fat in the pan.
  3. Add diced onion to the beef and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until caramelized.
  5. Add chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and cayenne (if using). Stir and let spices toast for about 30 seconds.
  6. Pour in diced tomatoes with their juices and beef broth. Add drained kidney beans. Stir, scraping up browned bits. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Let bubble gently for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper.
  7. While chili simmers, make cheese sauce. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to make a roux.
  8. Slowly pour in warm milk while whisking continuously. Whisk until mixture thickens and is smooth, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.
  9. Add shredded cheddar cheese a handful at a time, whisking until melted before adding more. Stir in Dijon mustard and a pinch of cayenne. Keep warm over low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of warm milk if too thick.
  10. When fries are done, remove from oven. Toss with olive oil and a sprinkle of salt, then return to oven for another 5-7 minutes to ensure crispiness.
  11. Set up topping bar: arrange chili, cheese sauce, and all toppings in separate bowls. Let people build their own plates.
  12. To serve, pile hot fries into bowls, ladle chili over the top, drizzle with cheese sauce, and let everyone add their own toppings. Eat immediately.

Notes

Don’t pre-assemble loaded fries for a crowd; let everyone build their own to keep fries crispy. For best results, use thick-cut steak fries and shred your own cheddar cheese. The chili can be made a day ahead for deeper flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: chili cheese fries, game day recipe, football food, loaded fries, chili cheese fries bar, easy appetizer, crowd-pleaser

Find it online: https://novanosh.com/best-football-sunday-chili-cheese-fries-bar-easy-game-day-recipe/