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French Fry Casserole

This French Fry Casserole is one of those recipes that sounds a little crazy until you try it, then you’re completely hooked! It’s comfort food at its finest, combining savory ground beef with a creamy sauce and topping it all with crunchy french fries that bake up perfectly golden brown. Can you say yum?

Need more Easy Casserole Recipes? Check out our: Chicken and Stuffing Casserole, Hamburger Tater Tot Casserole, Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole.

Casserole dish with crinkle-cut fries, melted cheese, ground beef, parsley; a serving is scooped out.

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This french fry casserole recipe has become one of my go-to easy dinner ideas because who doesn’t love a cheeseburger and fries? The ground beef mixture is hearty and satisfying, the melted cheese gets all bubbly, and those fries really brings it home!

If you’re looking for easy casserole recipes that actually taste amazing, this one will definitely become a favorite. The entire family always comes back for a second helping!

What you’ll love about this ground beef casserole:


  • USES FROZEN FRIES – No peeling or cutting potatoes, just grab a bag from the freezer!
  • EASY CLEANUP – Just one skillet and one baking dish to make this delicious meal.
  • FAMILY-FRIENDLY – Kids love the fries on top, and adults love how this dish is a full meal on its own.

Recipe Ingredients:

You’ll need the following ingredients to make this amazing French Fry Recipe:

  • 1 pound of Ground beef
  • Onions
  • Condensed cream of mushroom soup
  • Beef broth
  • Sour cream
  • Frozen mixed vegetables- I did a mix of corn, peas, carrots, and green beans, but use what you like!
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Garlic powder
  • Colby jack cheese
  • Frozen french fries
Flat lay of various casserole ingredients including frozen fries, ground beef, cheese, veggies, and seasonings.

Ingredient Notes:

  • Ground Beef: Use 80/20 ground beef for the best flavor, but lean beef can be used too!
  • Frozen Fries: Any style works, but crinkle cut or steak fries hold up best during baking and stay crispy. You could even use crispy crown potatoes for variety.
  • Colby Jack: This cheese melts great and has a mild flavor that everyone enjoys, but sharp cheddar cheese or mozzarella cheese work great too!

How to make french fry casserole step-by-step:

Check out the quick visual guides below. For full instructions and ingredients, see the printable recipe card at the end.

STEP 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease 9×13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray.

STEP 2: In large skillet, cook ground beef and onion over medium heat 6 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently, until beef is thoroughly cooked and onion is tender. Drain fat completely.

STEP 3: Stir in cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, sour cream and frozen vegetables, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Mix well.

STEP 4: Spread beef mixture in prepared baking dish. Sprinkle all 2 cups Colby jack cheese over beef mixture in a single layer. Top with frozen french fries.

STEP 5: Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove foil and bake 20-25 minutes longer until cheese is melted and fries are golden brown.

STEP 6: Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with a dollop of sour cream if desired.

Casserole assembly in six steps: mix ingredients, layer cheese and fries, ready to bake.

PRO TIP:

Don’t thaw your frozen fries before adding them to the casserole! They’ll cook perfectly from frozen and stay much crispier than if you thaw them first. 

White baking dish with cheesy crinkle-cut fries and herbs, surrounded by plates and utensils.

Storage and Reheating:

Storage:  Store leftover French fries casserole in the refrigerator in an airtight container. It can be kept for up to 3 days.

Reheating:  Reheat in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes until heated through. The fries won’t be as crispy as when freshly baked, but it’s still delicious the next day. 

Freezing: This casserole can be assembled and frozen before baking for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen, adding about 15 extra minutes to the cooking time.

Casserole with crinkle fries, ground meat, and vegetables on a plate; baking dish in background.

Additions and Substitutions:

ADDITIONS:

  • Beans: Try adding chili beans or black beans for extra protein and fiber.
  • Bell peppers: Add diced red or green peppers to the meat mixture.
  • Cheese Options: Try different varieties like sharp cheddar cheese, pepper jack, or mozzarella cheese for different flavors
  • Seasonings: Try adding Italian seasoning, paprika, or onion powder on top of the cheese layer for extra flavor.

SUBSTITUTIONS:

  • Ground Beef: Ground turkey or chicken work well for a lighter version, or try making a chicken french fry casserole.
  • Soup: Try cheddar soup or cheese soup instead of mushroom for a more cheesy hamburger flavor.

FAQs about this Cheeseburger Casserole:

Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen fries? 

Yes, but you’ll need to par-cook sliced or cubed potatoes first since they won’t cook through in the same time as frozen fries. This is especially important if it’s your first time making this recipe.

Why are my fries soggy? 

Make sure not to thaw the frozen fries before baking, and don’t cover the casserole for the entire baking time, removing the foil lets them crisp up properly.

Can I make a cheeseburger version? 

Absolutely! This recipe is basically a cheeseburger casserole already, but you can add pickles and mustard to make it taste more like a cheeseburger french fry casserole.

Cheesy casserole topped with crinkle-cut fries, ground beef, corn, and diced veggies on a plate.

What can I serve with these cheeseburger fries?

This hearty casserole is pretty much a complete meal on its own, but it pairs nicely with a simple green salad. It’s definitely one of those tasty treats that satisfies the whole family!

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?

Five golden stars image.

I’m excited for you to try this French Fry Casserole! After you make it, please leave a rating to let me know your thoughts on it – I’m eager to hear if you loved it as much as we do! Find us on IG + TikTok: @littlechefwithin

Crinkle-cut fries with melted cheese and ground beef, topped with parsley, served from a casserole dish.

French Fry Casserole

Vicky Hadley~Little Chef Within
French Fry Casserole is comfort food made easy. Juicy beef, creamy sauce, and golden fries baked into one family favorite dinner.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 217.4 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 cup diced onion
  • 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
  • 1/2 cup beef broth
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 cups shredded Colby jack cheese
  • 1 (28 ounce) bag frozen french fries
  • Chopped fresh parsley for garnish optional

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
  • In large skillet, cook ground beef and onion over medium-high heat 6 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently, until beef is thoroughly cooked and onion is tender. Drain fat.
  • Stir in cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, sour cream and frozen vegetables, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Mix well.
  • Spread beef mixture in prepared baking dish. Sprinkle all 2 cups Colby jack cheese over beef mixture. Top with frozen french fries.
  • Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake 20-25 minutes longer until cheese is melted and fries are golden.
  • Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Notes

Pro Tip: Don’t thaw your frozen fries before adding them to the casserole! They’ll cook perfectly from frozen and stay much crispier than if you thaw them first. 

Nutrition

Calories: 217.4kcalCarbohydrates: 4.6gProtein: 11.4gFat: 17.1gSaturated Fat: 7.3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.6gMonounsaturated Fat: 6.3gTrans Fat: 0.7gCholesterol: 57.2mgSodium: 405.1mgPotassium: 248.6mgFiber: 0.9gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1334.7IUVitamin C: 2.6mgCalcium: 46.4mgIron: 1.4mg
Keyword casserole, Dinner, ground beef
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