A hearty, cheesy Cheeseburger French Fry Casserole layered with seasoned beef and crispy fries. Comforting, savory, and perfect for cozy family dinners or game-night feasts!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This casserole relies on simple, reliable ingredients that each play a crucial role in building flavor and texture. Every component, from the soups to the spices, creates layers that mimic everything you love about a classic cheeseburger—plus plenty of crispy fries, of course!
- Ground Beef: Provides savory flavor and a hearty, meaty base for the casserole—choose 80/20 for the juiciest results.
- Shoestring French Fries: The frozen kind bakes up crispy and golden, acting as both the delicious crust and the crunchy topping.
- Cream of Mushroom Soup: Adds fantastic creamy body and depth, tying together the beef and fries.
- Cheddar Cheese Soup: Gives the casserole that irresistible cheesy richness and classic cheeseburger flavor.
- Yellow Onion: Diced onion brings sweetness and aromatic notes, enhancing the overall savoriness.
- Minced Garlic: Fresh garlic gives the beef mixture a punchy flavor that makes every bite pop.
- Cheddar Cheese, Shredded: Melts into gooey, cheesy goodness over the casserole—don’t skimp on this!
- Garlic Powder: Rounds out the flavor of the beef with a savory, garlicky punch.
- Onion Powder: Intensifies the depth of onion flavor for that unmistakable cheeseburger taste.
- Salt: Essential for seasoning both the beef and the whole casserole, so don’t forget a pinch.
- Black Pepper: Adds a little heat and earthiness; freshly ground is best if you have it.
- Mayonnaise: For the burger sauce, it’s the creamy base that ties all the bold flavors together.
- Ketchup: Contributes signature tang and sweetness to the burger sauce.
- Mustard: Just a touch adds zippy, classic burger flavor to the sauce.
- Pickle Juice: Don’t skip this! It brings acidity and a sharp, briny kick that makes the sauce sing.
- Dehydrated Onions: Soak up the sauce and deliver that true burger joint vibe.
How to Make Cheeseburger French Fry Casserole
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) to create that perfect gold-and-bubbly finish. A quick spray or a swipe of butter in your baking dish ensures nothing sticks and sets the stage for easy serving later.
Step 2: Cook the Beef Mixture
Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it up until no pink remains. Drain off any excess fat, then stir in the diced onion and minced garlic. Let everything cook together until the onion turns soft and translucent. Season the mixture with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper for that classic burger flavor foundation.
Step 3: Whip Up the Burger Sauce
While the beef cooks, whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, pickle juice, dehydrated onions, and a little black pepper in a bowl. This creamy burger sauce is your not-so-secret weapon for authentic cheeseburger taste—it brings it all together at the end.
Step 4: Layer and Build the Casserole
Grab your prepared baking dish and create the first layer with half the frozen French fries. Next, spoon the beef mixture evenly over the fries. Then pour the cream of mushroom soup and cheddar cheese soup all over the beef layer—don’t worry about spreading it too perfectly, it will all bubble together. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar on next for that gooey, melty effect, followed by the final layer of fries.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Cover the dish with foil and slide it into the oven for 30 minutes. This helps all the layers meld and lets the fries start to crisp. After half an hour, remove the foil and bake another 10 to 15 minutes so the fries turn golden and the cheese is gloriously bubbly.
Step 6: Finish and Drizzle
As soon as your Cheeseburger French Fry Casserole comes out of the oven, let it cool just a couple minutes. Then, generously drizzle the burger sauce over the top for that true burger-and-fries flavor explosion. Slice, serve, and enjoy every cheesy, crispy, saucy bite!
How to Serve Cheeseburger French Fry Casserole
Garnishes
Sprinkle chopped pickles, diced tomatoes, extra shredded cheddar, or even some green onions on top for color and zing. If you’re feeling fancy, add a handful of crispy fried onions for crunch reminiscent of classic diner burgers!
Side Dishes
A crisp side salad with tangy vinaigrette balances out the richness of the casserole perfectly. If you’re serving a hungry crowd, round out the table with corn on the cob, coleslaw, or even some roasted veggies—whatever your favorite burger sides might be.
Creative Ways to Present
While a big bubbling dish at the center of the table is always a hit, you can also portion your Cheeseburger French Fry Casserole into individual ramekins for dinner parties or picnics. Or, try serving with extra burger sauce on the side so everyone can customize each bite!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your Cheeseburger French Fry Casserole tasting fresh, cover any leftovers tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to three days. The flavors meld even more as it sits, making it an extra-savory treat the next day!
Freezing
You can freeze the casserole either before baking (just assemble, cover tightly, and freeze) or after it’s been baked and cooled. Simply thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake as directed until hot and bubbly. Perfect for meal prep or stocking the freezer for busy nights!
Reheating
For best results, reheat your casserole in the oven at 350°F until warmed through and the fries regain some crispiness. If you’re in a hurry, a microwave will absolutely do—just know you might sacrifice a bit of crunch. For reviving that signature fresh-baked texture, give it a quick broil at the end.
FAQs
What’s the best way to keep the fries crispy?
To keep those fries as crisp as possible, make sure they’re spread out in even layers, and always finish the casserole with a foil-free bake at the end. If you’re a true fry lover, you can also briefly bake them on their own before layering them into the dish!
Can I substitute the cream of mushroom soup?
Absolutely! Cream of chicken or even cream of celery soup works just as well, and will give a slightly different (but delicious) taste. If you’re vegetarian, look for a plant-based creamy soup alternative.
Can I use a different kind of cheese?
Yes, feel free to swap in mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or even a spicy pepper jack for the cheddar. Want a more authentic cheeseburger flavor? A layer of American cheese slices will melt wonderfully throughout the casserole!
Is there a way to make Cheeseburger French Fry Casserole lighter?
You can use lean ground beef or sub in ground turkey, choose reduced-fat cheese and soup, and opt for oven fries with less oil. It won’t lose its magic—you’ll just feel a little less indulgent after that second helping!
Can I prep Cheeseburger French Fry Casserole in advance?
Yes! Assemble everything up to the final layer of fries, then cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, let it sit at room temp for about 30 minutes and proceed with baking as directed.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a dinner that’s fun, filling, and sure to spark grins around the table, give Cheeseburger French Fry Casserole a chance. It’s easy to make, endlessly customizable, and brings all the joy of a classic burger night with none of the fuss. I hope it finds its way into your regular meal rotation—you might never look at burgers and fries the same way again!
Print
Cheeseburger French Fry Casserole Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
Cheesy Cheeseburger French Fry Casserole with crispy fries and beef—an easy, comforting dinner perfect for family meals or game night!
Ingredients
For the Casserole
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 28-ounce bag shoestring French fries
- 10.5-ounce can cream of mushroom soup
- 10.5-ounce can cheddar cheese soup
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
For the Burger Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 1 teaspoon pickle juice
- 1/2 teaspoon dehydrated onions
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a large baking dish by lightly greasing it or spraying with nonstick spray.
- Cook the Beef Mixture: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain off any excess fat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, and continue cooking until the onion is soft and translucent, about 3 minutes. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Remove from heat.
- Make the Burger Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, pickle juice, dehydrated onions, and a pinch of black pepper until smooth. Set aside.
- Assemble the Casserole: Layer half of the shoestring French fries evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spread the beef mixture on top of the fries. Pour both the cream of mushroom soup and cheddar cheese soup evenly over the beef layer. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top, then add the remaining fries in an even layer.
- Bake the Casserole: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes, until the fries are golden and crispy and the cheese layer is bubbling.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Drizzle the prepared burger sauce over the top just before serving. Enjoy while hot!
Notes
- Swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Add sliced pickles, tomatoes, or cooked bacon between layers for extra burger flavor.
- Use any style of French fries, but shoestring fries crisp up best.
- Leftovers can be covered and refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 casserole
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 1150 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg