Ingredients
32 ounces frozen crinkle-cut French fries
¾ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
2 pounds lean ground beef
½ cup sweet yellow onion, finely chopped
10.5 ounces cream of mushroom soup
10.5 ounces cheddar cheese soup
2 tablespoons half and half
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
3 cups mild cheddar cheese, freshly grated, divided into 1 cup and 2 cups
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with heavy-duty aluminum foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- Spread the entire bag of frozen crinkle-cut fries in a single layer over the prepared baking sheet. Evenly sprinkle the kosher salt and cracked black pepper over the frozen fries. Bake for 20-25 minutes, ensuring the fries are cooked and not soggy.
- While the fries are baking, add the ground beef and finely chopped onions to a 4 to 5-quart stockpot or a 10 to 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Stir often until the beef is cooked through and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess liquid.
- Lower the heat to medium and stir in the cream of mushroom soup, cheddar cheese soup, half and half, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, then remove from heat.
- Spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Evenly spread the ground beef and soup mixture into the dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the mixture.
- Remove the fries from the oven. Carefully spread them over the shredded cheddar layer. Evenly sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of shredded cheddar on top of the fries.
- Bake the casserole for 18-20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the ground beef layer is bubbly. Serve while hot.
Notes
- Vegetarian Version: Replace the ground beef with plant-based ground beef or mushrooms for a vegetarian alternative.
- Spicy Kick: Add some diced jalapeños or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the beef mixture for a spicy twist.
- Toppings: Feel free to top with sour cream, chives, or crispy bacon bits for extra flavor.
- Cheese Variety: Swap the mild cheddar for sharp cheddar or a blend of your favorite cheeses like Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack for added flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
