Cheeseburger French Fry Casserole (Printer-friendly)
Hearty beef and cheese casserole topped with crispy golden fries
# What You’ll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 ½ lbs ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 cup dill pickles, chopped (optional)
→ Condiments & Sauces
05 - ⅓ cup ketchup
06 - 2 tbsp yellow mustard
07 - 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
→ Dairy
08 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
→ Starches
09 - 1 (26-28 oz) bag frozen French fries
→ Seasonings
10 - 1 tsp salt
11 - ½ tsp ground black pepper
12 - 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
→ Other
13 - 2 tbsp olive oil
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F.
02 - In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil. Add onion and cook for 3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
03 - Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula, and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
04 - Stir in ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Cook for 2 minutes, then remove from heat.
05 - Stir in chopped pickles (if using) and 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese.
06 - Transfer beef mixture to a 9x13-inch baking dish, spreading evenly.
07 - Arrange frozen French fries in a single layer over the beef mixture.
08 - Bake uncovered for 25 minutes. Remove from oven, sprinkle remaining 1 cup cheddar cheese evenly over fries, and return to oven for another 10-12 minutes, or until fries are golden and cheese is melted.
09 - Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Its basically a cheeseburger and fries dinner but you dont have to stand over a hot stove flipping patties while everyone asks if foods ready yet
- The leftovers somehow taste even better the next day when the flavors have had time to really meld together
02 -
- Dont skip draining the beef if there's a lot of excess fat or your casserole will end up greasy and the fries wont get properly crispy
- The frozen fries go directly on top without thawing because any water from thawing will make them soggy instead of crispy
03 -
- Cheese your fries during the last 10-12 minutes of baking or it will burn and turn bitter before the fries are done
- Use a baking dish with high sides because the cheese bubbles up and can overflow in the oven