How to Make Chili Frito Pie and Chili Cheese Fries - Kids Cook Monday Easy Recipe
Do You Like "Kid" Foods?
I must be a kid at heart, because I love foods that children love. I love hot dogs, I gobble up chicken nuggets, and I salivate at a dish of macaroni and cheese. Throw some chili cheese fries in front of me, and I'm ready to dig in--but perhaps this dish appeals to adults, too (besides me) with the tremendous flavor created from this combination.
I never even thought of chili cheese fries until I noticed restaurants selling them a few years ago. Growing up, though, I had often eaten Frito chili pie, a precursor to my love for chili cheese fries. Frito chili pie is like chili cheese fries with corn chips (Fritos or another brand) replacing the french fries. Both dishes are tasty meals that are quick and easy to put together.
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Cook Time for Chili Cheese Fries
Ingredients for Chili Cheese Fries
- 1 bag frozen french fries, shoe string style
- 1 can chili, no beans
- 1 block cheddar cheese, shredded
- onions, chopped, optional
- jalapenos, sliced, optional
- sour cream, optional
Instructions
- Place frozen french fries on baking pan. Cook in oven according to instructions on package.
- Open up can of chili. Warm up in pan or microwave.
- Grate cheddar cheese.
- Chop onions, optional.
- Set out optional items, including jalapeno slices, sour cream, even relish or hot sauce.
Frito Chili Pie
As mentioned previously, Frito chili pie and chili cheese fries are very similar. Just replace the french fries in the chili cheese fries with corn chips (Fritos brand, if you wish), and voila! There you have it. Add the same optional toppings, if desired. Serve both entrees on the same night to give options, if you choose.
Chili Cheese Fries with Onions and Sour Cream
Nutritional Comparisons for 1/2 cup chili
Canned Chili
| Canned Turkey Chili
| |
|---|---|---|
175 calories
| 100 calories
| |
9 grams fat
| 1 gram fat
| |
40 mg cholesterol
| 30 mg cholesterol
| |
960 mg sodium
| 600 mg sodium
| |
Total calories w/fries & cheese: 505
| 435 total calories
|
Consider using canned turkey chili to save on calories, fat, cholesterol, and sodium!
Calories, Taste, and Moderation
Chili cheese fries aren't the healthiest meal around, but, if you want a quick, delicious meal for your family, this dish is a nice option. If you want to throw in some more nutritious foods, chop up some vegetables on the side and serve fruit for dessert.
Using turkey chili can save you around 75 calories per serving and gobs of fat and sodium. If you want to save more fat and calories, choose reduced fat cheese and make your own baked fries from potatoes.
Conversely, if you don't like turkey chili or any reduced fat products, just splurge and have a fun meal. You probably don't have chili cheese fries or Frito chili pie very often, so it won't hurt to enjoy it--complete with fat and calories--once in a while. "Everything in moderation," my mother always says.
The Kids Can Help!
This is an easy meal that kids can help with and get the meal even more quickly on the table. They can spread the frozen french fries on the baking pan, open the chili and pour it in the pan, and grate the cheese. Older kids can chop up the onions. Responsible children can get out serving bowls for jalapenos or sour cream, or just set these items out straight from the refrigerator. It depends on how fancy you want to be or how quickly you want to get the meal on the table.
However you serve it, chili cheese fries and Frito chili pie are bound to be a hit!
