French Fry Casserole Bake (Print Format)
A filling bake featuring crinkle-cut fries, savory beef, creamy mushroom-cheddar sauce, and melted cheddar cheese.
# Ingredients:
→ Base Components
01 -
32 oz frozen crinkle-cut French fries
02 -
2 lb lean ground beef
03 -
1/2 cup sweet yellow onion, finely chopped
→ Seasonings
04 -
3/4 tsp kosher salt
05 -
1/2 tsp cracked black pepper
06 -
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
→ Sauce Base
07 -
10.5 oz cream of mushroom soup
08 -
10.5 oz cheddar cheese soup
09 -
2 tbsp half and half
→ Cheese
10 -
3 cups mild cheddar cheese, freshly grated
# Steps:
01 -
Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with heavy-duty aluminum foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Arrange frozen fries in a single layer on the sheet. Season evenly with kosher salt and cracked black pepper. Bake for 20-25 minutes until cooked through but not soggy, watching closely due to oven variations.
02 -
In a 4-5 quart stockpot or 10-12 inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, brown ground beef with chopped onions, stirring frequently until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess liquid carefully.
03 -
Reduce heat to medium and stir in cream of mushroom soup, cheddar cheese soup, half and half, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
04 -
Spray a 9x13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Evenly spread the beef and sauce mixture into the dish and top with 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Remove fries from oven and layer them evenly over the cheese. Sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese on top.
05 -
Bake the assembled dish for 18-20 minutes until the cheese melts and the beef layer bubbles. Serve hot.
# Tips:
01 -
Shred cheese from block for optimal melting as pre-shredded cheese may contain preservatives that affect texture.
02 -
Pre-baking fries prevents sogginess once combined with the beef mixture.
03 -
Monitor casserole closely during baking to prevent overcooking due to variable oven temperatures.