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Best Ultimate Chili Cheese Fries Football Casserole Recipe

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This Ultimate Chili Cheese Fries Football Casserole is a hearty, crowd-pleasing dish featuring crispy fries, thick chili, and melted cheese. Perfect for game day or any casual gathering, it’s easy to make and incredibly satisfying.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 bag (about 28 oz) frozen French fries (crinkle-cut, straight-cut, or waffle fries)
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
  • 4–5 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
  • Pickled jalapeños (optional, for topping)
  • Sour cream (optional, for serving)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
  2. Par-bake the fries: Spread frozen fries in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 15-18 minutes until just starting to turn golden and crispy but still soft in the middle. Remove from oven and set aside. Reduce oven temperature to 375°F (190°C).
  3. Start the chili: While fries are baking, heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned (6-8 minutes). Drain excess fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon.
  4. Cook the aromatics: Add diced onion to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until soft and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Build the chili flavor: Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using) over the meat mixture. Stir well and cook for 1 minute to toast the spices.
  6. Add tomato paste: Stir in tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until it darkens slightly.
  7. Simmer the chili: Pour in beef broth and undrained diced tomatoes. Stir, scraping up browned bits. Add drained kidney beans. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chili thickens. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  8. Layer the casserole: Spread par-baked fries in an even layer in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour chili evenly over fries. Sprinkle shredded cheddar and pepper jack cheeses on top.
  9. Bake the casserole: Place dish in preheated 375°F (190°C) oven and bake for 18-22 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and starting to brown. For extra browning, broil for the last 2 minutes (watch closely).
  10. Rest and garnish: Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with sliced green onions and pickled jalapeños if using. Serve hot with sour cream on the side.

Notes

Par-baking the fries is crucial to keep them crispy. Use freshly shredded cheese for best melting. Adjust salt at the end as broth, tomatoes, and cheese add salt. For a vegetarian version, swap ground beef for plant-based meat or extra beans and use vegetable broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: chili cheese fries casserole, football casserole, game day recipe, comfort food, easy casserole

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