There’s something truly comforting about a warm, hearty casserole. And when you combine the flavors of a cheeseburger with crispy french fries, it’s a match made in comfort-food heaven! This Cheeseburger and French Fry Casserole is everything you love about a classic cheeseburger, but with a fun and delicious twist. Perfect for a family dinner, game night, or whenever you’re craving something indulgent and satisfying!
The casserole is packed with seasoned ground beef, creamy cheddar cheese sauce, and topped with golden, crispy fries. And let’s not forget the secret ingredient that pulls it all together: a tasty homemade fry sauce! Whether you’re serving it to kids or adults, this dish is guaranteed to please everyone at the table.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs lean ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 2/3 cup onions, diced
- 2 tsp grill seasoning (see notes for DIY version)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup milk (2% or whole)
- 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 1 bag frozen seasoned curly fries (20 to 28 oz)
For the Fry Sauce:
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- Hot sauce, to taste
Optional Toppings:
- Pickles, diced tomatoes, crumbled bacon, diced green onions, etc.
How to Make Cheeseburger and French Fry Casserole
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Step 2: Cook the Ground Beef
In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and diced onions over medium heat until the beef is browned and the onions are softened (about 10 minutes). Drain any excess fat. Season with grill seasoning and set aside.
Step 3: Prepare the Cheese Sauce
In a 4-quart saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Gradually whisk in the milk and continue cooking until the sauce thickens. Once thickened, add the shredded cheddar and stir until melted and smooth.
Step 4: Assemble the Casserole
Pour the cheese sauce over the cooked ground beef mixture and stir to combine evenly. Transfer everything into a 3-quart baking dish, spreading it out in an even layer. Top the mixture with the frozen curly fries.
Step 5: Bake
Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the fries are golden and crispy, and the casserole is bubbly.
Step 6: Make the Fry Sauce
While the casserole is baking, whisk together the ketchup, mayonnaise, and a few dashes of hot sauce in a small bowl. Adjust the hot sauce to your desired level of heat.
Step 7: Serve
Once the casserole is done, drizzle the fry sauce over the top and garnish with your favorite optional toppings like pickles, tomatoes, or bacon. Serve hot and enjoy!
Helpful Tips
- Don’t Overcrowd the Fries: For extra crispy fries, make sure to spread them in a single layer on top of the casserole before baking. This ensures they cook evenly and get that golden crunch we all love.
- Adjust the Cheese: Feel free to experiment with different cheeses! A blend of cheddar and mozzarella adds extra creaminess, while pepper jack will give the dish a spicy kick.
Substitutions and Variations
- Ground Turkey: For a leaner version, swap out the ground beef for ground turkey or even ground chicken. It’s just as delicious!
- Tater Tots: Not a fan of curly fries? Swap them for tater tots or waffle fries for a fun twist.
- Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free flour blend for the cheese sauce and make sure your fries are gluten-free to accommodate dietary needs.
- Vegetarian Option: Use plant-based ground beef alternatives and a dairy-free cheese sauce to create a vegetarian version of this casserole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Make This Ahead of Time?
Yes! You can prepare the meat and cheese mixture ahead of time, transfer it to a baking dish, cover it, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, simply top with frozen fries and bake as directed.
What Can I Serve with This Casserole?
This dish is quite filling on its own, but if you want to serve it with sides, a fresh green salad or steamed veggies would balance out the richness of the casserole.
Can I Freeze This Casserole?
Absolutely! Assemble the casserole without the fries, cover it tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight, add the fries, and bake as instructed.
Storage Instructions
Store any leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply pop it back in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat it in the microwave, but the fries may not stay as crispy.
More Recipes You’ll Love
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With this Cheeseburger and French Fry Casserole, dinner just got a whole lot more fun! It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing dish that brings together two of everyone’s favorite things—cheeseburgers and fries. What could be better?
Print
Cheeseburger and French Fry Casserole
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
Cheeseburger and French Fry Casserole is the ultimate comfort food! Juicy ground beef, a creamy cheese sauce, and crispy fries baked together to create a deliciously cheesy, flavorful meal that the whole family will love. Perfect for a fun twist on a classic dinner, it’s easy to make and fully customizable with your favorite toppings!
Ingredients
- 2 lbs lean ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 2/3 cup onions, diced
- 2 tsp grill seasoning (see notes for DIY seasoning)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup milk (2% or whole)
- 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 1 bag frozen seasoned curly fries (20 to 28 oz)
For the Fry Sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- Hot sauce, to taste
Optional Toppings
- Pickles, diced tomatoes, crumbled bacon, diced green onions, etc.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and onions over medium heat until the beef is browned and onions are softened (about 10 minutes). Drain excess fat and season with grill seasoning. Set aside.
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly add milk while whisking and cook until thickened. Stir in the grated cheddar until melted and smooth.
- Pour cheese sauce over the beef mixture and stir to combine. Transfer to a 3-quart baking dish, and top with frozen fries in a single layer.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, until the fries are golden and the casserole is bubbling.
- In a small bowl, mix ketchup, mayo, and hot sauce. Drizzle the fry sauce over the casserole and garnish with any optional toppings. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- DIY Grill Seasoning: Combine 2 tbsp kosher salt, 2 tbsp black pepper, 2 tbsp garlic powder, 1 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper, and 1 tsp smoked paprika. Store in an airtight container.
- Make-Ahead Tip: Prepare the beef mixture and cheese sauce ahead of time, refrigerate, and top with fries when ready to bake.
- Freezer Friendly: Assemble the casserole without the fries and freeze for up to 3 months. Add fries and bake when ready to eat!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8th of the casserole
- Calories: 379 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Cholesterol: 113 mg