August 28, 2024
Review RecipeFrench Fry Casserole
French fry casserole is a crowd-pleasing comfort food dish combining golden fries, savory ground beef, creamy sauces, and melted cheese for a delectable and easy-to-make meal.
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Indulge in the ultimate comfort food experience with our delectable French fry casserole. This cheesy, hearty dish combines the best of a cheeseburger and crispy French fries, all in one satisfying bite.
The hamburger French fry casserole features the perfect combination of ingredients, including crinkle-cut fries that create a crispy base with a rich potato flavor.
Seasoned with kosher salt and cracked black pepper for the perfect seasoning, it also boasts lean ground beef for a savory element and sweet yellow onions for a touch of sweetness.
French Fry Casserole Ingredients
Cream of mushroom soup adds creamy, earthy richness, while cheddar cheese soup infuses irresistible cheesiness. To top it all off, freshly grated mild cheddar cheese melts into gooey perfection.
You’ll need:
- 1 (32 ounce) package of frozen crinkle-cut French fries
- ¾ teaspoon of kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon of cracked black pepper
- 2 pounds of lean ground beef
- ½ cup of finely chopped sweet yellow onion
- 1(10.5 ounce) can of cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
- 1(10.5 ounce) can of cheddar cheese soup, undiluted
- 2 tablespoons of half and half
- 2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce
- 3 cups of freshly grated mild cheddar cheese (divided into 1 cup and 2 cups)
PRO TIP:
We recommend shredding your cheese from the block for this recipe. Pre-shredded cheese tends to have a preservative coating that prevents the cheese from melting well.
How To Make This French Fry Casserole Recipe
While baking your fries, you can prepare the ground beef mixture before assembling this delicious casserole.
STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with heavy-duty aluminum foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
STEP TWO: Spread the entire bag of frozen crinkle cut fries in a single layer over the prepared baking sheet.
Evenly sprinkle the kosher salt and cracked black pepper over the frozen fries. Bake for 20-25 minutes.
OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS
Baking the fries first before adding the beef mixture will ensure that the French fries are cooked and not soggy.
STEP THREE: While the French fries are baking, add the two pounds of ground beef and finely chopped onions to a four to five quart stockpot or a 10 to 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
Stir the ground beef and onions often until the ground beef is cooked through and no longer pink, about five to seven minutes. Drain any excess liquid.
STEP FOUR: Lower the heat to medium. Stir in the soups, half and half, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook for just two minutes, stirring constantly. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Remove from the heat.
STEP FIVE: Spray a 9×13 casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray. Evenly spread the ground beef and soup mixture into the sprayed baking dish.
STEP SIX: Sprinkle one cup of the freshly shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the ground beef mixture.
STEP SEVEN: Remove the fries from the oven. Using a spatula, carefully spread the fries over the top of the cheese layer.
STEP EIGHT: Evenly sprinkle the remaining two cups of shredded cheddar over the top of the layer of French fries.
Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the bottom ground beef layer is bubbly. Serve while hot.
PRO TIP:
Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to keep a close eye on your French fry cheeseburger casserole as the suggested cooking time approaches.
Substitutions and Additions
FROZEN CRINKLE-CUT FRENCH FRIES: Swap them out for steak fries, regular cut fries, shoestring fries, or even tater tots for a different texture in your cheesy hamburger and fries casserole.
CHEDDAR CHEESE SOUP: If you’re out of cheddar cheese soup, an extra can of mushroom soup works just fine in this cheesy hamburger casserole.
MILD CHEDDAR CHEESE: Feel free to use freshly shredded cheddar jack cheese for a flavor twist.
BEEF MIXTURE: You can add ketchup, mustard, and/or pickle relish to the ground beef and soup mixture before spreading in the bottom of the baking dish.
How To Serve
Serve your French fry casserole with a side of crisp, fresh coleslaw or tomato cucumber salad for a delightful contrast in flavors and textures.
Transform this casserole into a hearty meal by adding a side of garlic bread or a simple Caesar salad.
Our simple sauteed vegetables would be a fantastic side dish to your meal to add a bit of freshness.
Don’t forget to check out our loaded fries recipe and buffalo chicken fries.
MORE FRIES RECIPES
Storage
Whether you’re planning to make this ahead or have leftovers to store, here’s what you need to know:
MAKE AHEAD: You can prepare the ground beef mixture and freeze it separately from the fries. When ready to enjoy, assemble the casserole with fresh fries and bake.
IN THE FRIDGE: Store any leftover French fries casserole covered in the refrigerator for up to three days.
IN THE FREEZER: While it’s best not to freeze the entire casserole, you can freeze the ground beef mixture separately for up to three months.
Reheat it, assemble the casserole with fresh fries, and bake when needed.
REHEATING: Reheat in the oven for that crispy texture, or use the microwave for a quicker option. For the oven, bake at 350°F until heated through.
For the microwave, cover with a microwave-safe lid or plate and heat in 30-second intervals until hot.
Why We Love This Cheeseburger French Fry Casserole Recipe
ULTIMATE COMFORT FOOD: Our French fry casserole combines the heartiness of a cheeseburger with the crispy delight of golden fries and melted cheese for the ultimate comfort food experience.
CROWD PLEASER: It’s a great option for gatherings, potlucks, and family dinners, making it a reliable go-to recipe.
LEFTOVER FRIENDLY: Enjoy the leftovers for a quick and delicious easy meal the next day that the whole family will love.
Get ready for a taste sensation like no other with our mouthwatering French fry casserole that the entire family will love. It’s a tasty blend of creamy cheese sauce, savory ground beef, and perfectly crisp French fries that’ll leave you craving more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen tater tots instead of crinkle-cut fries?
Tater tots make a fantastic substitution if you prefer their texture to the frozen French fries.
Can I make this casserole for a vegetarian diet?
You can explore vegetarian versions using plant-based ground meat and vegetarian cream soups.
How do I reheat leftovers?
Reheat in the oven at 350°F for a crispy texture, or use the microwave in 30-second intervals until hot.
Can I use a different type of soup?
While cream of mushroom and cheddar cheese soups work best, you can experiment with other creamy soup flavors.
Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Absolutely, ground turkey is a great alternative for a leaner option.
Can I freeze the entire casserole?
It’s not recommended, as the fries may not retain their texture when frozen and reheated.
Can I add condiments like ketchup and mustard?
You can customize the ground beef and soup mixture with ketchup, mustard, or pickle relish to suit your taste.
Can I use pre-shredded cheese?
While you can, freshly shredded cheese melts more smoothly and offers a better flavor.
More Recipes You’ll Love
- Loaded Fries Recipe
- Sweet Potato Fries
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French Fry Casserole
French fry casserole is a crowd-pleasing comfort food dish combining golden fries, savory ground beef, creamy sauces, and melted cheese for a delectable and easy-to-make meal.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 8
Ingredients
- 32 ounces frozen crinkle-cut French fries
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- ½ cup sweet yellow onion, finely chopped
- 10.5 ounces cream of mushroom soup
- 10.5 ounces cheddar cheese soup
- 2 tablespoons half and half
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 3 cups mild cheddar cheese, freshly grated (divided into 1 cup and 2 cups)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with heavy-duty aluminum foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- Spread the entire bag of frozen crinkle-cut fries in a single layer over the prepared baking sheet. Evenly sprinkle the kosher salt and cracked black pepper over the frozen fries. Bake for 20-25 minutes. (This will ensure that the French fries are cooked and not soggy) All ovens cook differently, so keep a close eye on your fries.
- While the French fries are baking, add the 2 pounds of ground beef and finely chopped onions to a 4 to 5-quart stockpot or a 10 to 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Stir the ground beef and onions often until the ground beef is cooked through and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess liquid.
- Lower the heat to medium. Stir in the soups, half and half, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook for just 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat.
- Spray a 9×13 (or 13×9) baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Evenly spread the ground beef and soup mixture into the sprayed baking dish.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of the freshly shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the ground beef mixture.
- Remove the fries from the oven. Using a spatula, carefully spread the fries over the top of the shredded cheddar layer.
- Evenly sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of shredded cheddar over the top of the French fries. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the bottom ground beef layer is bubbly. Serve while hot.
Notes
- We recommend shredding your cheese from the block for this recipe. Pre-shredded cheese tends to have a preservative coating that prevents the cheese from melting well.
- Baking the fries first before adding the beef mixture will ensure that the French fries are cooked and not soggy.
- Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to keep a close eye on your french fry cheeseburger casserole as the suggested cooking time approaches.
Nutrition
Calories: 685kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 40g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 117mg | Sodium: 1607mg | Potassium: 1158mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 590IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 342mg | Iron: 5mg
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