French Fry Casserole Bake (Printable Version)

Crispy fries layered with savory beef and cheddar for a warm, satisfying baked dish.

# Everything You’ll Need:

→ Base Components

01 - 32 ounces frozen crinkle-cut French fries
02 - 2 pounds lean ground beef
03 - 1/2 cup sweet yellow onion, finely chopped

→ Seasonings

04 - 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
05 - 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
06 - 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

→ Sauce Base

07 - 10.5 ounces cream of mushroom soup
08 - 10.5 ounces cheddar cheese soup
09 - 2 tablespoons half and half

→ Cheese

10 - 3 cups mild cheddar cheese, freshly grated

# Steps to Cook:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with heavy-duty aluminum foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
02 - Spread frozen crinkle-cut fries in single layer on prepared baking sheet. Evenly sprinkle kosher salt and cracked black pepper over fries. Bake 20-25 minutes until cooked and not soggy, monitoring closely as oven performance varies.
03 - Add ground beef and finely chopped onions to 4-5 quart stockpot or 10-12 inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Stir frequently until beef is cooked through and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess liquid.
04 - Lower heat to medium and stir in cream of mushroom soup, cheddar cheese soup, half and half, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly, then remove from heat.
05 - Spray 9x13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Evenly spread ground beef and soup mixture into dish. Sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese over mixture.
06 - Remove fries from oven and carefully spread over shredded cheddar layer. Evenly sprinkle remaining 2 cups shredded cheddar on top of fries.
07 - Bake casserole 18-20 minutes until cheese is melted and ground beef layer is bubbly. Serve while hot.

# Extra Suggestions:

01 - Shred cheese from block for better melting as pre-shredded cheese contains preservatives that may affect melting quality.
02 - Baking fries first prevents sogginess when combined with beef mixture.
03 - Monitor casserole during baking as oven temperatures may vary to avoid overbaking.