French Fry Casserole Bake (Print Format)

Crispy fries, seasoned beef, and melty cheddar combine for a rich, crowd-pleasing baked dish.

# Ingredients:

01 - 32 ounces frozen crinkle-cut French fries
02 - ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
03 - ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
04 - 2 pounds lean ground beef
05 - ½ cup sweet yellow onion, finely chopped
06 - 10.5 ounces cream of mushroom soup
07 - 10.5 ounces cheddar cheese soup
08 - 2 tablespoons half and half
09 - 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
10 - 3 cups mild cheddar cheese, freshly grated, divided into 1 cup and 2 cups

# Steps:

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

# Tips:

01 - Shred cheese from the block for better melting. Pre-shredded cheese contains preservatives that may affect melting.
02 - Baking the fries first prevents sogginess when combined with the beef mixture.
03 - Ovens may vary in temperature, so monitor the casserole as it cooks to avoid overbaking.

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