Description
This Cheeseburger French Fry Casserole is a comforting American main dish featuring crispy air-fried French fries layered over a savory seasoned ground beef mixture, all topped with melted cheddar cheese. Baked to bubbly perfection and finished with a tangy homemade burger sauce, this easy casserole serves 8 and makes for a delicious crowd-pleasing dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 bag (28 ounces) shoestring French fries
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) cheddar cheese soup
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of mushroom soup
Burger Sauce Ingredients
- Black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon pickle juice
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/2 teaspoon dehydrated onions
Instructions
- Air Fry French Fries: Follow the package directions to air fry the shoestring French fries until they are crispy. Once done, set them aside while preparing the other components.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) to ensure it reaches the correct temperature before baking the casserole.
- Cook Ground Beef and Onion: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and diced yellow onion, cooking until the beef is browned and onions are translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds. Season the mixture with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add Soups and Combine: Reduce heat to medium. Stir in the cheddar cheese soup and cream of mushroom soup, mixing thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Assemble Casserole: Spoon the cheesy ground beef mixture evenly into a 7×11 inch casserole dish. Layer the crispy air-fried French fries on top of the beef mixture, then sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the fries.
- Bake: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted and bubbly.
- Prepare Burger Sauce: While the casserole bakes, in a small bowl combine the mayonnaise, yellow mustard, ketchup, pickle juice, dehydrated onions, and black pepper. Stir until the sauce is creamy and smooth.
- Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and drizzle the prepared burger sauce over the top before serving. Enjoy your comforting Cheeseburger French Fry Casserole!
Notes
- You can substitute the air frying step by baking the French fries according to package instructions, but air frying yields crispier fries.
- If cheddar cheese soup is unavailable, you can mix shredded cheddar cheese with a simple béchamel sauce as a substitute.
- Feel free to customize the burger sauce by adding a pinch of smoked paprika or hot sauce for extra flavor.
- This casserole is ideal for making ahead; store assembled but unbaked and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
- Ensure to drain excess fat after cooking ground beef to avoid a greasy casserole.
