Cheeseburger French Fry Casserole

This comforting, kid-friendly casserole combines everything you love about a classic cheeseburger—seasoned ground beef, gooey cheese, and crispy fries—layered and baked into a craveable, all-in-one dish. It’s hearty, easy to prep, and perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon mustard
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or a cheese blend of your choice)
4 cups frozen French fries (crinkle-cut or your favorite style)
1/4 cup pickles, chopped (optional, for that extra cheeseburger touch)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)

Instructions:

Preheat the oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish with non-stick spray or butter, ensuring it’s ready for the layers of deliciousness.
Cook the ground beef: In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is fully cooked and the onion is soft and translucent—about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess grease, then return the skillet to the heat.
Season the beef: Stir in the garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Add the ketchup and mustard, mixing everything until well combined. Remove from the heat.
Prepare the casserole layers: In the prepared casserole dish, spread the seasoned ground beef mixture evenly across the bottom.
Add the fries: Layer the frozen French fries on top of the beef. You can arrange them in a neat layer or spread them more casually depending on your preference.
Bake the casserole: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the fries are golden brown and crispy.
Top with cheese: After baking, remove the casserole from the oven. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the fries, then return the casserole to the oven for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Garnish and serve: Once the cheese is melted, remove the casserole from the oven. If you like pickles, sprinkle the chopped pickles over the top for that signature cheeseburger flavor. Garnish with a bit of fresh parsley for a pop of color.
Serve: Slice and serve your Cheeseburger French Fry Casserole hot. It’s perfect as a main dish on its own, or you can pair it with a simple side salad or some extra ketchup for dipping.

Tips & Notes:

Customizations: You can easily customize this casserole by adding sautéed mushrooms, bacon bits, or any other cheeseburger toppings you love.
Vegan version: Swap out the ground beef for plant-based ground beef and use dairy-free cheese and mayonnaise to make this casserole vegan-friendly.
Make it spicy: For a spicy kick, add some jalapeño slices or a few dashes of hot sauce to the beef mixture.
Meal prep: This casserole is perfect for meal prepping. You can assemble it ahead of time, refrigerate, and bake it when you’re ready to serve.
Freezer-friendly: You can freeze the assembled casserole (before baking) for up to 3 months. Just bake it directly from frozen, adding extra time to the cooking process.

Why This Recipe Works:

This Cheeseburger French Fry Casserole works because it brings together all the comfort food elements of a cheeseburger into one easy-to-make dish. The ground beef is seasoned with the perfect balance of ketchup and mustard, the fries provide that crispy texture, and the cheese melts into everything, binding it all together in delicious harmony. It’s the kind of recipe that both kids and adults will love, making it ideal for family dinners or a quick weeknight meal.

Enjoy this Cheeseburger French Fry Casserole as an all-in-one dish that’s as satisfying as it is easy to make. It’s like having a cheeseburger and fries, but better because it’s baked into a warm, cheesy casserole. Give it a try tonight, and see how quickly it becomes a family favorite! 😋🍔🍟