Description
Cheeseburger French Fry Casserole is a decadent and comforting dish combining crispy shoestring fries, a savory ground beef and cheese soup base, and a melty sharp cheddar topping. Finished with a creamy homemade burger sauce, this hearty casserole brings all the flavors of a cheeseburger into a satisfying baked meal perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Mixture
- 500 g ground beef (80/20 fat ratio)
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 300 g canned cheddar cheese soup
- 300 g canned cream of mushroom soup
French Fry Layer
- 600 g frozen shoestring french fries
Topping
- 150 g sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Burger Sauce
- 60 g mayonnaise
- 20 g ketchup
- 10 g yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon pickle juice
- 1 teaspoon dehydrated onions
- Pinch of black pepper
Other
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil, for greasing and sautéing
Instructions
- Cook the French Fries: Preheat the air fryer to 200°C. Cook the frozen shoestring fries according to the package instructions until they are golden and crispy. Once cooked, set aside.
- Sauté the Beef and Onion: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add neutral oil. Add ground beef and diced onion, sautéing while breaking the meat apart until fully browned and the onions become soft, about 6–8 minutes.
- Add Garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook briefly for 30 to 45 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to let it brown.
- Season the Mixture: Add onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir well to evenly distribute the seasonings. Drain any excess fat thoroughly from the skillet.
- Add Cheese Soups: Pour in the canned cheddar cheese soup and cream of mushroom soup. Stir the mixture thoroughly until it becomes cohesive and creamy.
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Lightly grease a 28×18 cm baking dish with neutral oil to prevent sticking. Evenly spread the creamy meat mixture along the bottom of the dish.
- Layer Fries and Cheese: Arrange the crispy cooked french fries over the meat mixture, then sprinkle the shredded sharp cheddar cheese evenly on top.
- Bake the Casserole: Preheat the oven to 175°C. Bake the casserole for 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is fully melted and the fries are just beginning to brown. Keep a close eye to prevent burning.
- Make Burger Sauce: While the casserole bakes, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, pickle juice, dehydrated onions, and a pinch of black pepper in a bowl until smooth and creamy.
- Serve: After baking, let the casserole rest for 5 minutes. Just before serving, drizzle the prepared burger sauce over the hot casserole surface for added flavor.
Notes
- Use 80/20 ground beef for best flavor and moisture balance.
- Drain excess fat after browning the beef to avoid greasy casserole.
- Keep an eye while baking as cheese and fries can burn quickly.
- The homemade burger sauce adds a tangy, creamy complement but can be customized or omitted.
- Ensure fries are crispy before layering to maintain texture after baking.
- If you don’t have an air fryer, bake fries in the oven following package instructions until crispy.
