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football tailgate chili cheese fries - featured image

Football Tailgate Chili Cheese Fries: The Easy Game Day Snack

  • Author: Thea
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Description

A crowd-pleasing, easy-to-make game day dish featuring crispy fries topped with savory beef chili and melted cheese. Perfect for tailgating or casual entertaining with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds thick-cut frozen french fries
  • 1 pound 80/20 ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 can (15oz) tomato sauce
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
  • 4 stalks green onions, sliced
  • Jalapeños, sliced (optional)
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 1 can (15oz) chili beans (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Dice onion, mince garlic, and slice jalapeños.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain excess fat if desired.
  3. Add diced onion to the beef and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Stir in chili powder, salt, and pepper. Pour in tomato sauce (or jarred chili). Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Adjust seasoning and set aside or keep warm in a slow cooker.
  5. Spread frozen fries in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy.
  6. Transfer hot fries to a large serving platter. Immediately sprinkle shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese over the fries to melt.
  7. Ladle warm chili over the cheese-covered fries.
  8. Top with green onions and jalapeños. Serve immediately with sour cream on the side.

Notes

For best results, shred your own cheese to avoid anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting. Do not overcrowd the fries on the baking sheet to ensure they stay crispy. If serving at a tailgate, keep the chili warm in a slow cooker.

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 650
  • Sugar: 6
  • Sodium: 900
  • Fat: 38
  • Saturated Fat: 15
  • Carbohydrates: 55
  • Fiber: 4
  • Protein: 22

Keywords: chili cheese fries, tailgate recipes, game day snacks, easy appetizer, comfort food, football food, slow cooker chili

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Find it online: https://rootrecipes.online/football-tailgate-chili-cheese-fries-the-easy-game-day-snack/