My wife has been after me for a very long time to make her some chili cheese fries. I remember I had seen a recipe from Celebrity Chef Rachael Ray in one of her cookbooks. I easily found it in one of the books I have.
As you would expect with this type of recipe, super easy to make and uses simple ingredients. Nothing fancy with this chili cheese fries recipe!
As you would expect from all recipes created by Rachael, this chili cheese fries recipe does not disappoint. A bunch of cheesy goodness mixed in with a bunch of crunchy french fries.
Speaking of french fries, you can use whatever brand you prefer. Personally, I prefer Ore-Ida frozen french fries, but again, use whatever you have on hand. I used restaurant-style french fries for this recipe but you can use whatever kind you want like Golden Crinkles, Homestyle Fries or even some tater tots!
I used Sharp Cheddar Cheese when I made this recipe but you can use medium, mild or even smoked if you want. If you don’t mind deviating from Rachael’s recipe, you could try some Monterey Jack, Colby Jack or even Pepper Jack cheese.
As far as how to cook your frozen french fries, you can follow the directions on the package or use my Air Fryer French Fries recipe. Whatever method you use, just make sure the fries are nice and crunchy!
Rachael Ray Books
Some of my favorite Rachael recipe books are her 365: no repeats, The Book of Burger and Rachael Ray 50. If you don’t already have a Kindle you really need to get one.
Gather your Ingredients
You will need the following ingredients to make Rachael’s Chili Cheese Fries recipe. For ingredient amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post: All Purpose Flour, Milk, Salt & Pepper, Cheddar Cheese, Yellow Mustard, Vegetable Oil, Lean Ground Beef, Yellow Onion, Garlic Clove, Serrano Pepper, Chili Powder, Paprika, Ground Coriander, Ground Cumin and Frozen French Fries.
How to Make Rachael’s Chili Cheese Fries
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Add the milk and cook until thickened, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the cheddar cheese and whisk until the cheese is completely melted.
- Remove the sauce from the heat and stir in the mustard.
- In a skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the ground beef and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, crumbling it as it browns. Add the onion, garlic, serrano, chili powder, paprika, coriander, and cumin.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir for 2 to 3 minutes, then add 1/2 cup water and let it evaporate, approximately 3 to 5 more minutes.
- Stir the beef mixture into the cheese fry topping and pour over the cooked french fries.
Printable Recipe Card
Rachael’s Chili Cheese Fries
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Ingredients
Cheese Fry Topping
- 3 Tbsp Unsalted Butter
- 2 Tbsp All Purpose Flour
- 1 ¼ Cups Milk
- Salt & Pepper, to taste
- 1 ½ Cups Cheddar Cheese, shredded
- 1 Tbsp Yellow Mustard
Chili
- 1 ½ Tsp Vegetable Oil
- â…“ lb Lean Ground Beef
- ½ Cup Yellow Onion, finely chopped
- 1 Garlic Clove, minced
- 1 small Serrano Pepper, seeded and finely chopped
- 1 Tbsp Chili Powder
- 1 Tsp Paprika
- ½ Tsp Ground Coriander
- ½ Tsp Ground Cumin
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
- 28 oz Frozen French Fries
Instructions
MAKE THE CHEESE FRY TOPPING
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Add the milk and cook until thickened, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the cheddar cheese and whisk until the cheese is completely melted.
- Remove the sauce from the heat and stir in the mustard.
MAKE THE CHILI
- In a skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the ground beef and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, crumbling it as it browns. Add the onion, garlic, serrano, chili powder, paprika, coriander, and cumin.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir for 2 to 3 minutes, then add 1/2 cup water and let it evaporate, approximately 3 to 5 more minutes.
- Stir the beef mixture into the cheese fry topping and pour over the cooked french fries.
