Cheeseburger French Fry Casserole (Printable View)
All-American comfort food combining seasoned beef, crispy fries, and cheesy goodness in one hearty dish.
# What You 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 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 bag frozen French fries, 26-28 oz
→ Seasonings
10 - 1 tsp salt
11 - ½ tsp ground black pepper
12 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
→ Other
13 - 2 tbsp olive oil
# How-To Steps:
01 - Set oven temperature to 400°F for baking.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and cook for 3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook for approximately 7 minutes until completely browned and no pink remains. Drain excess fat if needed.
04 - Pour in ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, then add salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Stir thoroughly and cook for 2 minutes to blend flavors. Remove from heat.
05 - Fold in chopped pickles and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese until evenly distributed throughout the beef mixture.
06 - Transfer the seasoned beef mixture to a 9x13-inch baking dish, spreading it into an even layer across the bottom.
07 - Arrange frozen French fries in a single, even layer over the beef mixture, covering the surface completely.
08 - Bake uncovered for 25 minutes. Remove from oven, sprinkle remaining 1 cup cheddar cheese evenly over the fries, and return to oven for 10-12 minutes until fries are golden brown and cheese is fully melted.
09 - Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving to let the flavors settle and make serving easier.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Everything you love about a cheeseburger happens in one pan without flipping patties or heating up the grill
- The fries get impossibly crispy while steaming the beef underneath creating layers of texture
- Feeds a crowd with almost zero effort and everyone gets exactly what they want
02 -
- Draining the beef fat keeps the casserole from becoming greasy but leave about a tablespoon behind for flavor
- Thinner fries work significantly better than thick cut ones which stay soft in the middle
03 -
- Use freshly shredded cheese instead of pre-shredded bags coated in anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting
- Line your baking dish with foil for easier cleanup, the cheese will stick to the sides