Cheeseburger French Fry Casserole (Printable)
Crispy French fries crown a savory beef base with classic burger flavors and melted cheddar.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1½ lbs ground beef, 80/20 blend recommended
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 cup chopped dill pickles
→ 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
→ Other
13 - 2 tbsp olive oil
# How to Prepare:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook for 3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula. 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 to meld flavors, then remove from heat.
05 - Stir in chopped pickles and 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese until incorporated.
06 - Transfer beef mixture to a 9x13-inch baking dish, spreading evenly across the bottom.
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 until fries are golden and cheese is melted and bubbly.
09 - Let casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Everything you love about a cheeseburger in cozy casserole form
- The crispy cheese topped fries are absolutely irresistible
- Feeds a hungry crowd without standing over a hot grill
02 -
- Draining excess fat from the beef prevents the casserole from becoming greasy
- Do not overlap the fries or they will steam instead of getting crispy
- The casserole is done when the cheese is bubbly and fries are golden brown
03 -
- Line your baking dish with foil for easier cleanup
- Use a cheese grater instead of pre shredded cheese for better melting