Cheesy Cheeseburger French Fry Casserole: Your New Family Favorite

Welcome to the ultimate comfort food experience! This cheeseburger french fry casserole transforms all your favorite flavors into one incredibly easy, satisfying dish. It’s perfect for busy weeknights and guarantees smiles around the dinner table, making it an instant family favorite.

Understanding the appeal of dishes like this casserole, experts note that comfort foods often evoke feelings of nostalgia and emotional well-being.

Imagine juicy ground beef, tangy sauce, melty cheese, and crispy fries, all baked together to perfection. Get ready to discover your new go-to meal!

Why You’ll Love This Cheeseburger French Fry Casserole

You will adore this delightful dish for so many reasons, perfectly balancing ease with incredible flavor.

• Quick and Easy Weeknight Meal: It comes together with minimal effort, ideal for busy evenings when time is short.
• Satisfies Cravings: Get the delicious taste of a classic burger and fries, all in one comforting bake.
• Highly Customizable: Easily adjust ingredients to suit even the pickiest eaters in your household.
• Simple, Pantry-Friendly Ingredients: You likely have most of what you need already on hand.
• Great for Leftovers: This savory casserole tastes even better the next day, perfect for meal prep.
• Ultimate Comfort Food: It’s a warm, hearty, and satisfying dish that feels like a hug in a pan.

Ingredients

Creating this amazing cheeseburger french fry casserole only requires a few simple components. Gather these fresh ingredients and pantry staples to get started on your delicious journey.

• 1/4 cup dill pickle relish
• 1 lb ground beef
• 3 tablespoons ketchup
• 3 tablespoons mustard
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• 1 bag (24 oz) frozen French fries

Optional Toppings for Serving: Sliced pickles, diced red onion, extra shredded cheese, fresh parsley, sesame seeds.

Notes & Substitutions

• Ground Beef: Feel free to swap ground beef for lean ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
• Cheese: Experiment with different shredded cheeses like a Colby Jack blend, Monterey Jack, or even pepper jack for a little kick.
• Fries: While classic French fries are great, you can also use tater tots or waffle fries for a fun texture variation.
• Cream of Mushroom Soup: If you’re not a fan, use cream of celery, cream of chicken, or even cream of potato soup as a delicious alternative.
• Relish: Dill pickle relish gives a great tangy bite, but sweet relish works if you prefer a sweeter profile.
• Garlic: If fresh garlic isn’t available, use 1 teaspoon of garlic powder for convenience.
• Onion: For extra flavor, sauté half a diced yellow onion with the ground beef until tender.
• Spices: Enhance the beef with burger-style seasonings like onion powder, paprika, or a pinch of cayenne pepper.

Equipment

You won’t need many specialized tools to make this delightful casserole. Just a few basic kitchen items will do the trick.

• Large skillet
• Colander
• 9×13 inch baking dish
• Mixing bowls (small and medium)
• Spatula or spoon

Instructions

Follow these easy, step-by-step instructions to create your fantastic cheeseburger french fry casserole. It’s designed for beginners, ensuring a perfect result every time.

1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures even baking.
2. Brown Ground Beef: Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until it’s no longer pink. Break it up with a spatula as it cooks.
3. Drain Fat: Carefully drain any excess fat from the cooked beef using a colander. This step is crucial for the best flavor.
4. Transfer Beef: Place the thoroughly drained ground beef evenly into your 9×13 inch baking dish.
5. Prepare Sauce: In a small mixing bowl, combine the dill pickle relish, ketchup, and mustard. Add the minced garlic and the can of cream of mushroom soup.
6. Mix Sauce: Stir all the sauce ingredients together until they are well combined and smooth.
7. Assemble Casserole (Layer 1): Pour the prepared sauce mixture evenly over the ground beef in the baking dish. Spread it out with the back of a spoon.
8. Assemble Casserole (Layer 2): Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese generously over the sauce layer.
9. Assemble Casserole (Layer 3): Arrange the frozen French fries in a single, even layer over the cheese. Don’t let them overlap too much.
10. Bake Casserole: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-45 minutes.
11. Check for Doneness: Look for golden brown and slightly crispy fries on top, with the cheese melted and bubbly around the edges.
12. Rest and Serve: Remove the cheeseburger french fry casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and the casserole to set slightly. Enjoy it hot!

Pro Tips for the Best Casserole

Achieve optimal results with these simple pro tips, ensuring your casserole is always a hit.

• Thoroughly Drain Beef: Removing excess grease prevents a soggy casserole and enhances the flavor profile.
• Season Beef Generously: Add a pinch of salt and pepper, or your favorite burger seasoning, while browning the beef.
• Use Good Quality Fries: Opt for a brand of frozen fries you enjoy, as they contribute significantly to the dish’s texture.
• Achieve Crispier Fries: For extra crispiness, broil the casserole for the last 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
• Freshly Shred Cheese: Cheese shredded from a block melts smoother and tastes better than pre-shredded varieties.
• Avoid Overmixing Sauce: Mix just until combined to maintain the best texture.
• Prevent Soggy Fries: Do not cover the casserole with foil while baking, as this traps steam and makes fries soft.
• Adjust Seasoning to Taste: Taste the beef mixture before adding the fries and adjust salt, pepper, or other spices as needed.
• Don’t Overcrowd Dish: Leave a little space for air circulation if you can, especially when arranging the fries.

Serving Suggestions, Storage, & Variations

Enhance your meal, store leftovers properly, or try new twists on this versatile dish.

Serving Suggestions

• Offer classic burger toppings like sliced dill pickles, diced red onion, or even a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
• Balance the meal with a crisp side salad dressed with vinaigrette or a simple side of steamed green beans.
• Serve extra ketchup, a dollop of sour cream, or a drizzle of ranch dressing on the side for dipping.

Storage

• Refrigeration: Store any leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheating: For best results, reheat individual portions in the oven at 300°F (150°C) until warmed through, around 15-20 minutes. This helps re-crisp the fries. You can also microwave it, though fries will be softer.
• Freezing: This casserole freezes well! Once completely cooled, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, or transfer to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Variations

• Spicy Cheeseburger Casserole: Add diced jalapeños to the beef mixture or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the sauce for a fiery kick.
• Bacon Cheeseburger: Crumble cooked bacon bits over the cheese layer before adding the fries for smoky flavor.
• Loaded Casserole: Top with green onions, a dollop of sour cream, and extra cheddar cheese after baking.
• Kid-Friendly: Use mild cheddar cheese and reduce the relish if your kids prefer less tang.
• Veggie Boost: Mix in finely diced bell peppers (red or green) or grated zucchini with the ground beef while cooking.

Nutrition Information

This cheeseburger french fry casserole offers a hearty meal. Here’s a general nutritional breakdown per serving.

To ensure proper food safety, remember that the USDA recommends cooking ground beef to an internal temperature of 160°F (71.1°C) to eliminate harmful bacteria.

Please note: Nutritional information is an estimate based on ingredients and cooking methods. Values may vary depending on specific brands and preparation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Can I make this casserole ahead of time? Yes, you can prepare the beef and sauce mixture and refrigerate it for up to 2 days. Add the cheese and fries just before baking.
• What kind of French fries work best? Straight-cut or crinkle-cut fries are excellent, but you can also use tater tots or waffle fries for textural variety.
• Can I use a different type of ground meat? Absolutely! Ground turkey, ground chicken, or a plant-based ground meat alternative work well in this recipe.
• How long do leftovers last in the fridge? Properly stored in an airtight container, leftovers of this delicious cheeseburger french fry casserole will last for 3-4 days.
• Is it possible to freeze this casserole? Yes, it freezes beautifully! Assemble the casserole (without baking), wrap it well, and freeze for up to 2-3 months.
• Can I adjust the amount of cheese? Certainly! Feel free to add more cheese for an extra gooey texture or reduce it if you prefer.
• Why are my fries not crispy? Ensure your oven is fully preheated and you haven’t covered the casserole during baking, as this traps steam.

Conclusion

This cheeseburger french fry casserole truly is a game-changer for weeknight dinners and family gatherings. Its unbeatable combination of classic flavors and incredibly simple preparation makes it a recipe you’ll return to again and again. Easy to customize and guaranteed to please even the pickiest eaters, it brings joy and comfort to any table. We encourage you to try this delightful dish and share your experiences!

Cheesy Cheeseburger French Fry Casserole: Your New Family Favorite

This comforting casserole combines seasoned ground beef with a tangy sauce, topped with shredded cheddar and crispy French fries, then baked until golden. It's a crowd-pleasing dish perfect for a family meal.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 550

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 1/4 cup Dill Pickle Relish
• 1 lb Ground Beef
• 3 tablespoon Ketchup
• 3 tablespoon Mustard
• 1 cup Cheddar Cheese shredded
• 4 Garlic Cloves minced
• 1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup
• 1 bag French Fries 24 oz bag

Equipment

• Skillet
• Colander
• 9x13 Baking Dish
• Small Mixing Bowl
• Oven

Method

 

Preparation

1. Cook ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until it is no longer pink.
2. Drain the fat using a colander, then transfer the cooked meat into a 9x13 baking dish.
3. In a small bowl, combine the dill pickle relish, ketchup, mustard, minced garlic, and cream of mushroom soup.
4. Pour the prepared mixture evenly over the ground beef in the baking dish.
5. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese generously on top of the mixture.
6. Arrange the French fries in a single layer to cover the entire top of the casserole.
7. Bake the casserole in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 40 minutes.
8. Remove the casserole from the oven and serve hot.

Notes

For an extra kick, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the beef mixture. Serve with extra pickles or a side salad.