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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375F (190C) for optimal cooking temperature.
- Brown ground beef thoroughly in a skillet over medium heat, carefully removing excess grease.
- Whisk cream of mushroom soup with milk, seasoning with salt and pepper to create a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Create a foundational layer of cooked ground beef across the bottom of the casserole dish.
- Evenly distribute the prepared soup mixture over the beef layer, ensuring complete coverage.
- Arrange frozen French fries in a uniform pattern across the entire surface of the casserole.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the fries, creating a rich, melty topping.
- Transfer the casserole to the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until fries turn golden and crisp, and cheese becomes fully melted.
- 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