Savory French Fry Casserole Recipe: A Cozy Family Favorite

Crispy, golden French fry casserole combines comfort and creativity in one mouthwatering dish.

Layers of potato goodness promise a delightful culinary adventure.

Hearty ingredients meld together, creating a crowd-pleasing meal that sparks excitement.

Cheese melts into every crevice, adding rich flavor to each bite.

Weeknight dinners will never be the same with this unexpected twist.

Friends and family will beg you to make this again and again.

You’ll want to savor every single delectable spoonful of this irresistible casserole.

French Fry Casserole Summary

• Simplify Dinner Prep: Transform frozen French fries and ground beef into a hearty one-dish meal that saves you time and reduces kitchen cleanup.
• Satisfy Comfort Food Cravings: Combine classic ingredients like crispy fries, melted cheese, and seasoned beef for a crowd-pleasing casserole that delivers pure comfort and warmth.
• Kid-Friendly Feast: Create a meal that appeals to both children and adults, with familiar flavors and a fun presentation that makes dinnertime exciting and stress-free.
• Minimal Cooking Skills Required: Perfect for beginner cooks or busy individuals, this recipe demands basic kitchen skills and uses convenient, readily available ingredients.

Ingredients for French Fry Casserole

• Ground Beef: A flavorful and hearty meat that serves as the base protein for this comforting casserole.

• Cream of Mushroom Soup: A creamy base that adds rich flavor and helps bind the casserole together.
• Milk: Provides additional moisture and helps create a smooth sauce.

• Frozen French Fries: The star ingredient that creates a crispy, golden topping for the casserole.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Adds a melty, sharp flavor and creates a delicious golden crust on top of the dish.

• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall flavor of the casserole.

How to Make French Fry Casserole

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Set your oven to a toasty 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) to create the perfect cooking environment.

Step 2: Brown The Beef

Cook ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it into small crumbles.

Once the meat is nicely browned, drain away any excess fat to keep the dish from becoming greasy.

Step 3: Create Creamy Sauce

• Cream of mushroom soup
• Milk
• Salt
• Black pepper

Blend until the mixture is smooth and well combined.

Step 4: Layer The Beef

Spread the cooked ground beef evenly across the bottom of a casserole dish, creating a hearty base for the casserole.

Step 5: Pour The Sauce

Gently pour the creamy soup mixture over the beef, ensuring it covers the meat completely.

Step 6: Add Crispy Fries

Arrange frozen French fries in a single layer across the top of the sauce, covering the entire surface.

Step 7: Sprinkle Cheese

Generously scatter shredded cheddar cheese over the French fries, creating a golden, melty topping.

Step 8: Bake To Perfection

Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. Look for crispy, golden-brown fries and fully melted cheese.

Step 9: Serve And Enjoy

Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Serve hot and add any optional toppings like chopped green onions or sour cream if desired.

Tips for French Fry Casserole

• Choose lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a healthier version of the casserole. Swap frozen fries for freshly cut potato wedges for a more homemade taste and crispier texture. Consider adding diced onions or green peppers to the ground beef for extra flavor and nutrition. Experiment with different cheese varieties like pepper jack or mozzarella to change the dish's profile. Allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to help it set and make serving easier.

Flavor Twists for French Fry Casserole

• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Replace ground beef with crumbled tofu, lentils, or black beans for a plant-based version that's packed with protein and flavor.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Substitute frozen French fries with roasted cauliflower florets or zucchini slices to create a lighter, lower-carbohydrate casserole.
• Spicy Kick Version: Add diced jalapeños, use pepper jack cheese, and sprinkle chili powder into the soup mixture for a fiery and exciting meal that brings extra heat.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free cream of mushroom soup and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free to make this recipe safe for those with gluten sensitivities.

Serving Suggestions for French Fry Casserole

Game Night Delight: Perfect for casual gatherings with friends, this hearty casserole transforms typical game day snacks into a satisfying main course.

Comfort Food Classic: Combines the best of childhood favorites – crispy fries and cheesy ground beef – creating a nostalgic meal that warms the soul.

Speedy Family Dinner: Requires minimal prep time and uses convenient ingredients, making it an ideal weeknight solution for busy households.

Customizable Crowd-Pleaser: Easily adaptable with additional toppings like green onions, sour cream, or crispy bacon bits to suit different taste preferences.

Storage Advice for French Fry Casserole

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Wrap the casserole tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil before refrigerating to keep moisture and prevent odors from seeping in.
• For freezing, cool the casserole completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or wrap securely with freezer wrap, lasting up to 2 months.
• Reheat refrigerated leftovers in the oven at 350F for 15-20 minutes, covering with foil to prevent excessive drying and maintain the crispy fries' texture.

FAQs

• Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?

Yes, ground turkey is a great lean alternative that works perfectly in this casserole.

• Is it okay to use fresh potatoes instead of frozen fries?

Fresh potatoes can work, but they’ll need to be pre-cooked and cut into fry-like shapes to ensure proper texture and cooking time.

• What if I don't have cream of mushroom soup?

You can substitute with cream of chicken soup or a homemade white sauce to maintain the creamy consistency.

• Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the casserole earlier and refrigerate, just add 10-15 minutes to the baking time when cooking from cold.

Crispy French Fry Casserole Recipe

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4.7 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Cheesy french fry casserole delivers comfort on a plate with layers of crispy potatoes and melted cheese. Hearty ingredients combine for a crowd-pleasing dish that satisfies hunger and warms hearts.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 bag frozen french fries
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Dairy and Soup:

• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup

Seasonings and Optional Toppings:

• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• Optional: diced onions
• Optional: bacon bits
• Optional: green onions

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 375F (190C) for optimal cooking temperature.
2. Brown ground beef thoroughly in a skillet over medium heat, carefully removing excess grease.
3. Whisk cream of mushroom soup with milk, seasoning with salt and pepper to create a smooth, creamy sauce.
4. Create a foundational layer of cooked ground beef across the bottom of the casserole dish.
5. Evenly distribute the prepared soup mixture over the beef layer, ensuring complete coverage.
6. Arrange frozen French fries in a uniform pattern across the entire surface of the casserole.
7. Generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the fries, creating a rich, melty topping.
8. Transfer the casserole to the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until fries turn golden and crisp, and cheese becomes fully melted.
9. Remove from oven and let rest briefly before serving hot, with optional garnishes like chopped green onions or sour cream if desired.

Notes

• Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent a greasy casserole and ensure a crisp texture.
• Add diced onions or minced garlic to the beef for extra flavor depth and aromatic complexity.
• For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey or lean ground beef to reduce overall fat content.
• Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or green onions on top after baking for a bright, fresh garnish that adds color and mild zesty notes.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 422 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 690 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 26 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 23 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg