Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure a golden-brown crust on the fries.
- In a large skillet, brown 1 lb ground beef with 1 small diced onion over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until the beef is no longer pink and the onions have softened. Drain any excess fat.
- Stir in 2 cloves of minced garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 tablespoon ketchup, and 1 tablespoon yellow mustard. Cook briefly to blend the flavors.
- Pour in the can of condensed cheddar cheese soup and add half of the shredded cheddar cheese (about ½ cup). Allow the mixture to simmer for 2-3 minutes until creamy and well combined.
- Transfer the savory beef mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly as the base of your casserole.
- Arrange the full bag of frozen French fries on top of the beef mixture, then sprinkle with the remaining cheddar cheese and the shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes until the fries are crispy and the cheeses have melted into a golden blanket.
- Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool slightly before adding any optional toppings such as chopped pickles, diced tomatoes, or shredded lettuce.
Notes
This casserole is a comforting mashup of cheeseburger and French fry flavors that’s both convenient and endlessly customizable. You can swap out the ground beef for ground turkey or even plant-based crumbles, and experiment with fries like sweet potato or tater tots. For a fresher touch, serve it with a crisp garden salad or simple coleslaw. Make it ahead by prepping the beef mixture in advance, then bake when ready to serve.
