Description
A comforting, melty dinner bake that combines all the nostalgic flavors of a cheeseburger with the crispiness of French fries. Perfect for laid-back dinners, game day spreads, or anytime you crave something hearty and cheesy.
Ingredients
2 pounds frozen French fries
1 pound ground beef
1 medium yellow onion, diced (optional)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
1/4 cup chopped pickles (optional garnish)
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Spread the frozen French fries in a single layer in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Bake according to package directions until golden and crisp.
2. While the fries are baking, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned. If using onion, add it early and sauté until soft. Drain excess fat.
3. Season the beef with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir to combine evenly.
4. Remove the fries from the oven and lower the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C).
5. Layer the seasoned ground beef evenly over the fries. Top generously with shredded cheddar cheese.
6. Bake the assembled casserole for 10–15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Garnish with diced tomatoes, parsley, and optional pickles before serving.
Notes
Crispier fries tip: Bake them a few extra minutes before layering to lock in crunch even after adding beef and cheese.
Cheese flexibility: Use a mix of sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack for more depth and meltiness.
Prep ahead: Cook and season the beef up to 2 days in advance and refrigerate until ready to assemble.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner Casserole
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/6 of casserole
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 85mg