This Cheeseburger and French Fry Casserole was born on a hectic weeknight when my family wanted burgers, but I needed a simple, one-pan meal. I decided to combine all the classic flavors into a single baking dish, and the result was an immediate hit that has become a go-to in my kitchen.
What makes this recipe so special is how it captures the essence of a juicy cheeseburger in a warm, satisfying casserole. It has a rich, savory ground beef filling, seasoned with ketchup and mustard, and is topped with a blanket of golden french fries and melted cheddar. It’s the ultimate comfort food mashup, delivering all the flavor you love with half the effort.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup dill pickle relish
- 1 lb ground beef
- 3 tablespoon ketchup
- 3 tablespoon mustard
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 bag French fries (24 oz)
How to Make the Cheeseburger and french fry casserole
This dish comes together quickly, with a prep time of under 20 minutes.
Step 1: Brown the Beef and Aromatics
First, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Be sure to drain off any excess grease to prevent an oily casserole.
Step 2: Create the Creamy Filling
Next, reduce the heat to low and stir in the cream of mushroom soup, ketchup, mustard, and dill pickle relish. Mix until all the ingredients are well combined into a thick, savory sauce that coats the beef.
Step 3: Assemble Your Casserole
Spread the beef mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Then, arrange the frozen french fries in a single, even layer over the top. Try not to overlap them too much, as this helps them get extra crispy.
Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection
Finally, bake the casserole uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is bubbly and the fries are golden brown. During the last 5 minutes, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the fries and return it to the oven to melt. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
My Best Cheeseburger and french fry casserole Tips
These few tricks take this simple dish from great to fantastic.
The Secret to Extra-Crispy Fries
For the crispiest topping, pre-bake the frozen fries on a baking sheet for about 10 minutes while you prepare the beef. This head start ensures they get wonderfully crunchy instead of steaming on top of the moist filling.
Don’t Skip Draining the Beef
Thoroughly draining the grease from the beef is crucial. This simple step prevents the casserole from becoming heavy and allows the creamy, savory flavors of the sauce to shine.
Let the Casserole Rest
Letting the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after baking is a game-changer. It allows the sauce to thicken and set, making it much easier to serve.
Variations of the Cheeseburger and French Fry Casserole
One of the best things about this recipe is how easily you can adapt it. For a spicy kick, try a Spicy Jalapeño Popper version by mixing in diced jalapeños and a bit of cream cheese with the beef. Or, for a classic diner flavor, create a Mushroom and Swiss Casserole by adding sautéed mushrooms to the filling and swapping the cheddar for Swiss cheese.
For more delicious breakfast ideas, check out our Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole recipe.
FAQs
What is in cheeseburger casserole?
It’s a deconstructed cheeseburger in a baking dish. It features a ground beef filling, cheese, classic condiments like ketchup and mustard, and a potato topping like french fries.
Can you use french fries instead of tater tots for tater tot casserole?
Absolutely! French fries are a fantastic substitute for tater tots in any casserole, providing a satisfying, crispy potato layer. For this Cheeseburger and french fry casserole, crinkle-cut fries work perfectly.
What is hamburger casserole?
It’s a broad term for any baked dish using ground beef as its base, often with a starch and a binding sauce. A cheeseburger casserole is simply a delicious, specific type of hamburger casserole.
Cheeseburger and French Fry Casserole
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food mashup with this Cheeseburger and French Fry Casserole! This easy, one-pan meal captures all the savory, juicy flavors of a classic cheeseburger without the fuss. A seasoned ground beef filling, rich with ketchup and mustard, is baked under a golden, crispy layer of french fries and melted cheddar cheese. It’s a guaranteed family favorite for any hectic weeknight.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1 bag (24 oz) frozen French fries
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
4 garlic cloves, minced
3 tbsp ketchup
3 tbsp mustard
¼ cup dill pickle relish
Instructions
Brown the Beef and Aromatics
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Drain off any excess grease.
Create the Creamy Filling
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cream of mushroom soup, ketchup, mustard, and dill pickle relish. Mix until all ingredients are well combined and the beef is coated in a thick, savory sauce.
Assemble Your Casserole
Spread the beef mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Arrange the frozen french fries in a single, even layer over the top of the beef mixture.
Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is bubbly and the fries are golden brown. During the last 5 minutes of baking, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the fries and return to the oven until the cheese is perfectly melted. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
For Extra-Crispy Fries
To ensure the crispiest topping, pre-bake the frozen fries on a separate baking sheet for about 10 minutes while you prepare the beef filling.
Don’t Skip Draining
Draining the grease from the beef is crucial. This step prevents the casserole from becoming oily and allows the creamy flavors of the sauce to shine through.
Let it Rest
Allowing the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes after baking helps the sauce thicken and set, making it much easier to serve.
Flavor Variations
Try a spicy version by mixing in diced jalapeños and cream cheese with the beef, or go for a classic diner flavor by adding sautéed mushrooms and swapping cheddar for Swiss cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/8th of casserole)
- Calories: 331
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 694
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Unsaturated Fat: 13
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 24
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 14
- Cholesterol: 56
Keywords: cheeseburger casserole, french fry casserole, ground beef casserole, easy dinner recipe, comfort food, one pan meal, weeknight dinner, hamburger casserole
