Description
French Fry Casserole brings comfort right to your dinner table, combining crispy potatoes with hearty ground beef and melted cheese for a satisfying meal that feels like a warm hug from your kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 4 cups frozen French fries
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Supporting Ingredients:
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup milk
Seasoning Ingredients:
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown 1 pound ground beef with ½ cup chopped onions for 7-8 minutes. Drain any excess grease thoroughly.
- Mix 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup with ½ cup milk. Stir in ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, salt, and pepper into the beef mixture.
- Spread the seasoned beef mixture evenly across the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the meat layer. Carefully arrange 4 cups of frozen French fries in a single layer on top of the cheese.
- Top the fries with remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Bake uncovered at 375°F for 30-35 minutes until the fries turn golden and the cheese melts completely. Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving to help it set and cool slightly.
Notes
- Always drain the ground beef thoroughly to prevent a greasy casserole and ensure a crisp fry topping.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar or pepper jack for a flavor twist.
- For a lighter version, swap ground beef for ground turkey and use low-fat cream of mushroom soup.
- Season the beef mixture generously with garlic powder or smoked paprika to enhance the overall taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 570 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg