Description
Hearty Midwestern french fry casserole delivers pure comfort with layers of crispy potatoes, melted cheese, and savory ground beef. Creamy, cheesy goodness brings family and friends together for a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 large bag (32 ounces / 907 grams) French fries
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) cheddar cheese, shredded
Meat and Vegetable Base:
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) mixed vegetables
Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 can (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) sour cream
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375°F, preparing a standard casserole dish with light cooking spray.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground meat with finely chopped onions and garlic, incorporating robust seasonings like salt, pepper, and paprika until meat is thoroughly cooked.
- Blend cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and mixed vegetables into the seasoned meat mixture, creating a rich, cohesive filling.
- Arrange a foundational layer of frozen fries across the bottom of the casserole dish, ensuring even coverage.
- Carefully spread the prepared meat and vegetable mixture uniformly over the initial fry layer.
- Create a final layer of remaining fries atop the meat mixture, positioning them to maximize crispiness.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the entire surface, covering all fries and filling.
- Transfer the casserole to the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, watching for golden-brown fries and melted, bubbling cheese.
- Remove from oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving to help set the casserole and enhance flavor melding.
Notes
- Swap ground meat with plant-based crumbles for a vegetarian version that keeps the hearty texture and flavor profile.
- Reduce sodium by using low-sodium cream of mushroom soup and choosing low-fat cheese options without compromising taste.
- Boost nutrition by adding extra vegetables like bell peppers or spinach into the beef mixture for increased vitamins and fiber.
- Crisp up frozen fries beforehand by spreading them on a baking sheet and pre-baking for 5-7 minutes to ensure maximum crunchiness in the final casserole.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 393 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 636 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg