Description
Comfort meets indulgence in this cheeseburger French fry casserole, a mouthwatering fusion of classic American favorites. Hearty layers of seasoned ground beef, crispy fries, and melted cheese create a crowd-pleasing dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef
Dairy:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 (10 ounces) can cream of mushroom soup (or cream of cheddar soup)
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 (20 ounces) bag frozen French fries
Optional Toppings:
- Diced tomatoes
- Pickles
- Shredded lettuce
- Ketchup
Instructions
- Prepare the cooking environment by heating the oven to 375F (190C) and lightly coating a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Select a large skillet and transform ground beef with diced onions over medium heat, breaking the meat into small crumbles until thoroughly cooked and onions become translucent. Eliminate excess fat and incorporate garlic powder, salt, and pepper for robust seasoning.
- Create a creamy foundation by whisking cream of mushroom soup with sour cream until smooth, then fold in approximately half of the shredded cheddar cheese to enhance the mixture’s richness.
- Construct the casserole layers by evenly distributing the seasoned beef across the baking dish’s bottom, then carefully pour and spread the soup-cheese mixture to create a uniform base.
- Strategically arrange frozen French fries in an overlapping pattern across the entire casserole surface, ensuring complete coverage.
- Slide the assembled dish into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, monitoring the fries’ transformation into crispy, golden-brown edges.
- During the final cooking stage, sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese over the fries and return to the oven for an additional 5-10 minutes until cheese melts completely and develops a bubbly texture.
- Complete the dish with optional garnishes like diced tomatoes, chopped pickles, shredded lettuce, and a drizzle of ketchup to mimic classic cheeseburger elements, then serve immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Customize the cheese by experimenting with different varieties like pepper jack, smoked gouda, or a blend for extra flavor depth.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles to create a lighter or vegetarian-friendly version of the casserole.
- Add diced bell peppers or jalapeños to the beef mixture for a subtle kick and increased vegetable content.
- Use low-fat soup and reduced-fat cheese to make the dish slightly healthier without compromising taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg