Loaded Chili Cheese Fries with Macaroni

This hearty, ultimate comfort-food dish combines crispy crinkle-cut fries, creamy macaroni and cheese, savory beef chili, and classic toppings, all served up in a sizzling cast-iron skillet.

Ingredients

The Base

• 1 large bag (approx. 20–32 oz) frozen crinkle-cut french fries
• 2 cups prepared macaroni and cheese (shell pasta baked or mixed with a rich cheddar cheese sauce)

The Chili

• 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp cooking oil or butter

The Toppings

• ½ cup sour cream (piped or dolloped in decorative rounds)
• ¼ cup pickled jalapeno slices
• 3 tbsp fresh green onions (scallions), thinly sliced
• Hot sauce (served on the side)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Fries and Macaroni

1. Preheat your oven or air fryer according to the french fry package directions. Bake or air-fry the crinkle-cut fries until they are extra golden and crispy.
2. While the fries cook, prepare your macaroni and cheese, ensuring it is thick, creamy, and thoroughly coated in a melted cheddar sauce.

2. Make the Beef Chili

1. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until translucent.
2. Add the minced garlic and ground beef, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon. Cook until the beef is fully browned and no pink remains. Drain any excess grease.
3. Stir in the tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Pour in the beef broth, reduce the heat to medium-low, and let it simmer for 8 to 10 minutes until the sauce thickens into a rich, spoonable chili.

3. Assemble the Skillet

1. Take a large, pre-warmed cast-iron skillet.
2. Layer the crispy crinkle-cut fries across the bottom of the skillet.
3. Generously spoon the warm, creamy macaroni and cheese over and between the fries, allowing the cheese sauce to melt into the layers.
4. Spoon the thick beef chili evenly right down the center over the mac and cheese and fries.

4. Garnish and Serve

1. Add dollops of sour cream evenly across the top of the chili.
2. Scatter the pickled jalapeno slices and freshly sliced green onions over the dish.
3. Serve immediately while hot, with a bottle of hot sauce on the side for an extra kick.