Description
Cheeseburger French Fry Casserole delivers pure comfort with layered ground beef, crispy fries, and melted cheese. Home cooks will devour this hearty midwestern dish that combines classic burger flavors in a convenient, crowd-pleasing baked format.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
Starch Base:
- 20 ounces (567 grams) frozen crinkle-cut French fries
Cheese and Sauce:
- 2 cups (226 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cans (10.5 ounces or 298 grams each) cream of mushroom soup
- 2 teaspoons steak sauce
Optional Serving Toppings:
- Pickles
- Shredded lettuce
- Chopped tomatoes
- Chopped onions
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a baking sheet with a light coating of cooking spray or oil.
- Arrange frozen french fries in a single, uncrowded layer on the baking sheet, ensuring they do not overlap to achieve maximum crispiness. Roast for 18-22 minutes until golden and crunchy.
- Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook ground beef, breaking it into small crumbles. Drain any accumulated fat thoroughly to prevent a greasy dish.
- Reduce skillet heat to medium-low and stir in cream of mushroom soup and steak sauce. Simmer the mixture for 2-3 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and slightly thicken.
- Transfer the seasoned beef mixture to a greased 9×13-inch (23×33 centimeters) baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom to create a uniform base.
- Carefully arrange the crispy baked french fries in an even layer directly over the beef mixture, covering the entire surface.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the top, ensuring complete coverage of the fries.
- Return the casserole to the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and slightly bubbly.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 3-4 minutes before serving. Garnish with optional toppings like chopped pickles, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and thinly sliced onions to enhance flavor and texture.
Notes
- Prep this crowd-pleasing casserole ahead of time by assembling ingredients and refrigerating until ready to bake.
- Customize the dish with your favorite burger toppings for a personalized twist on classic comfort food.
- Leftover casserole can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, reheating beautifully in the oven.
- Swap ground beef for turkey or plant-based meat alternatives to suit dietary preferences and create a lighter version.
- Keep French fries crispy by patting them dry before baking and avoiding overcrowding on the baking sheet.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 670 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg