Description
Hearty french fry casserole delivers comfort on a plate with crispy potato layers and melted cheese. Midwestern home cooks appreciate this simple, satisfying dish you can enjoy with family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
Potatoes:
- 1 bag frozen french fries
Dairy and Seasonings:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 onion, diced
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350F (175C) to prepare for cooking.
- In a skillet, brown ground beef with diced onions, carefully draining any accumulated fat.
- Blend cream of mushroom soup into the meat mixture, seasoning with salt and pepper for enhanced flavor.
- Transfer the seasoned beef mixture into a casserole dish, creating an even base layer.
- Arrange frozen French fries uniformly across the top of the beef mixture, ensuring complete coverage.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until fries turn golden and crisp.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheese over the surface and return to oven for an additional 5 minutes until cheese melts completely.
- Remove from oven and let rest briefly before serving to allow flavors to settle and casserole to stabilize.
Notes
- Customize the dish by using sweet potato fries for a healthier twist and added nutrients.
- For a gluten-free version, replace cream of mushroom soup with a homemade gluten-free alternative or use cream of chicken soup.
- Boost protein content by mixing in diced bell peppers or adding a layer of scrambled eggs before topping with fries.
- Reduce sodium by using low-sodium soup and selecting a reduced-fat cheese variety.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg