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Cheesy Beef Chili Scoops Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 109 reviews

Cheesy Beef Chili Scoops are a flavorful and hearty appetizer featuring a savory blend of seasoned ground beef, chili beans, and melted sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses served atop crispy tortilla scoop chips. Perfect for game days, parties, or casual gatherings, these bite-sized scoops bring comforting, cheesy goodness and a satisfying crunch to your snack table.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 pound (450 g) lean ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (15-ounce / 425 g) can chili beans, undrained
  • 1 (10-ounce / 285 g) can diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup (110 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup (55 g) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1 (10-ounce / 280 g) bag tortilla scoop chips

Optional Toppings

  • 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions

  1. Sauté Onions: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced yellow onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened and translucent.
  2. Add Garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn.
  3. Brown Ground Beef: Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula, and cook until browned and crumbly. Drain excess grease if necessary to prevent greasiness.
  4. Add Chili Ingredients and Spices: Stir in undrained chili beans, diced tomatoes with green chilies, tomato paste, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally until the mixture thickens slightly.
  5. Melt Cheese into Filling: Turn the heat to low and stir in shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, cooking until fully melted and the filling is creamy and well combined.
  6. Arrange Chips: Lay the tortilla scoop chips on a serving platter or baking sheet, spaced so they remain upright and crisp.
  7. Fill Chips: Using a spoon, carefully fill each scoop chip with a generous amount of the warm beef chili mixture, being careful not to overfill to keep chips from breaking or becoming soggy.
  8. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle additional shredded cheese over the filled scoops if desired, then garnish with chopped green onions or fresh cilantro. Serve immediately while the chips remain crisp and fillings are warm and melty.

Notes

  • You can prepare the beef chili filling several hours ahead and refrigerate it; fill the chips just before serving to keep them crisp.
  • Homemade chili can be used if preferred, but make sure it is thick to prevent sogginess in chips.
  • Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, Colby Jack, or Mexican blend cheese can be substituted for different flavors.
  • Add sliced jalapeños or hot sauce to increase spiciness.
  • Sturdy scoop-shaped tortilla chips work best to hold filling without breaking.
  • Store leftover beef filling separately in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days; do not refrigerate filled scoops as chips will soften.
  • Filling freezes well for up to three months; thaw overnight before reheating and assembling fresh chips.
  • Reheat filling gently on stovetop or microwave before using.

Keywords: Cheesy beef chili scoops, beef chili appetizer, game day snacks, cheesy tortilla chips, party appetizers, quick chili recipe

Find it online: https://tastybella.com/cheesy-beef-chili-scoops-recipe/