Spiralized Chili Cheese Fries

Spiralized Chili Cheese Fries

The first, only and last time I ever had chili cheese fries was in college....

Spiralized Chili Cheese Fries

The first, only and last time I ever had chili cheese fries was in college. I went to Wake Forest University in North Carolina and in that area, there was something called Cook Out, a drive-through, fast food spot.

Cook Out introduced me to a lot of foods – hush puppies, greasy burgers, the creamiest of ice cream shakes, and of course, chili cheese fries.

Of course, we’d never get Cook Out in the middle of the day, it was only late night, like 1am or 2am (the best time to eat carbs, right?!) after a night of college-era partying.

My roommate at the time, Cassie, decided she wanted to go to Cook Out and that we’d get chili cheese fries instead of the usual shakes with side of hush puppies.

Spiralized Chili Cheese Fries

As our designated driver pulled up to the order window to pick up the fries, she grabbed them and they went EVERYWHERE. So much sticky cheese all over the car.

I just remember thinking, in that moment, 20 or so pounds overweight, that I needed to get it together. Of course, it took years of yo-yo and fad dieting to truly find my healthy way, but I have that memory in my head forever – what were we doing ordering chili cheese fries at 2am?

But alas, that was college and those memories with my friend were some of the most hilariously memorable and thus, #noregrets.

Spiralized Chili Cheese Fries

Fast-forward 9 years later and here I am, not drunk (ha!), and making a healthier, spiralized version of chili cheese fries!

This chili is a super quick chili that can be enjoyed on its own (without the sweet potato noodles or cheese) – so technically there are two recipes in one, here!

While the sweet potato noodles don’t offer that same enjoyment of picking up a fry with chili and cheese on it and popping it into your mouth, they still satisfy that carb craving and allow you to enjoy the same flavors, in a more civilized way.

Please tell me you all similarly embarrassing, gluttonous college stories?

Watch our video to learn how to spiralize a sweet potato using the Inspiralizer and subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch more videos:

 

Nutritional Information & Recipe

Lighter Spiralized Chili Cheese Fries

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 pound organic lean ground turkey
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 small jalapeno seeded, minced
  • 1/2 small red onion diced (about 1/2 cup)
  • 1/4 cup diced carrot about 2 small carrots
  • 1/4 cup diced celery about 1 celery stalk
  • 1 large garlic clove minced
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1-1.5 tablespoons chili powder depending on how spicy you like it
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes (no salt added)
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth low sodium
  • 1 14.5oz can red kidney beans (or black beans), drained and rinsed
  • 2 medium sweet potatoes
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup diced scallions to garnish

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Prepare the chili: heat the oil in a large pot. Once oil is shimmering, add the turkey meat, season with salt and pepper, and cook, breaking up into bits as it cooks. Once meat is cooked through and crumbled, add the jalapeno, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, oregano, chili powder, cumin and stir well. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  • Add the tomatoes, chicken broth, bay leaf, and season with salt and pepper and raise heat to high and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and let simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes or until thickened, adding the beans halfway through. Once thickened and done, taste and adjust with more salt if needed.
  • While chili cooks, spiralize your sweet potatoes with Blade C and lay them out on the baking sheets. Spritz with olive oil cooking spray and season with salt and pepper. Bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes or until wilted and al dente. Remove the pan from the oven and set aside.
  • Once chili and sweet potato noodles are both done, pour the chili over the sweet potato noodles (on the baking sheets) and sprinkle with the cheese. Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for 5 minutes or until cheese melts. Uncover and top with scallions. Serve immediately.
  • Note: If you wanted to meal prep this and enjoy it in smaller portions, you can place a serving size of sweet potato noodles in a small skillet (or on another baking sheet), top with a serving size of the chili, sprinkle with cheese, and cover to melt (or bake, if using the oven method.) Garnish with scallions.

Spiralized Chili Cheese Fries

with love, Ali

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  • Ha! Our NC college late nights were Krispy Kreme’s and Bojangles! Cookout every now and then... we devoured a dozen “hot fresh now” doughnuts in a matter of minutes! We just moved a few months ago and no Cookouts around - my husband went through withdrawal I think!
    • I second that! I went to Salem College in W-S and I can attest to MANY trips to the Bo for chicken strips with honey mustard sauce, seasoned fries, a biscuit and sweet tea. I’ve lived in NYC for over 8 years and STILL miss it. My mouth is watering thinking about it. ?
  • I ate chili over zoodles with cheese today and it was so good- like chili Mac, with a mega dose of veggies! So satisfying! This is a great idea as well!
  • I remember waking up one morning and there was parmasean cheese EVERYWHERE. In my bed, on my desk, in my bathroom, you name it. I made a Lean Cuisine French Bread pizza and went completely bananas with the parm. So embarrassing.
  • These are AMAZING!!! OMG I made the recipe last night and I wanted to keep eating them. My husband loved them as well. I would totally even make for company or a tailgate, it's soooooo good!! It's like you're eating something so good that it has to be bad for you. Great recipe!! Will be working this into the rotation, likely a weekend treat. Thank you!!!
  • Very cool recipe! By the way, in college I always chose a the easiest recipes theme for my theses. On this website find more you can find a service, which will make you an essay on any topic and you’ll be satisfiesd.