Homemade Chili Cheese Fries {GF} ~ Frugal, Fun, "Fast" Food

We don't eat out. Ever. Though sometimes... a bit of fast-style food sounds sadly good! We picked up this easy recipe idea from my brother and sister-in-law and have been enjoying it ever since. And the best part is... another meal to make with budget friendly beans! 

To prepare, peel potatoes and cut them into wedges or french fry sizes. Toss with olive oil and sea salt. If you like a bit of spice, add in some cayenne pepper. Place single layer on greased baking sheet (if you line it first with parchment paper or foil, you will have an easy clean up) and roast until golden brown (about 400 degrees for 45 minutes or so, depending on how hot your oven runs). 

Place the roasted potato fries in each person's bowl. Top with hot beans (you can add some chili mix or other spices to the beans based on what your family likes). Finish with shredded cheese.

Homemaking Hints to Make this "Faster Food":

~ Beans are always on hand because we pressure can them in quarts with a few teaspoons of taco seasoning in each jar. You could also purchase high-quality canned beans for your pantry to have on hand or be frugal and make a large batch of pinto beans to place in your freezer in family friendly portions for easy meal preparations.

~ We buy our cheese in large blocks and shred most of it when we bring it home (reserving a small amount to use for slices in sandwiches). We place the cheese in family sized portions in the freezer so they are ready when we need them. To decrease expense, we always buy mozzarella in bulk since it can be used interchangeably in both Mexican and Italian dishes (i.e.: cheddar doesn't go well on pizza while mozzarella works fine in tacos, etc.).

~ We purchase potatoes in bulk so they are always on hand as they store well in the cooler months (keep them out of the light, in a cool, dark place).

Variations: If you are feeling decadent, you can add some ground meat to the beans or use your favorite chili recipe instead. 

You can serve this dish with a nice large, green salad, a creamy coleslaw or colorful cabbage salad. Preparing a large batch of any salad at the beginning of the week is a great way to reduce labor for the next few meals. 

My favorite side dish for chili cheese fries is our avocado salsa (which I like to scoop on top). Of course, your famous salsa recipe would work too!

We cook from scratch in our home but rely on simple meals to accomplish this. Though we don't eat fancy and gourmet, I like to think everything is unprocessed, fresh and tasty. This recipe is one way to keep things easy for meal time while being pleasing to the palette. 

{For more ideas on what to make with beans, visit here.}

"Do not bring disagreeable things to the table in your conversation any more than you would in your dishes." 

~ Sel., Excerpt from Science in the Kitchen, 1893

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