Description
Comfort meets creativity in this mouthwatering French Fry Casserole, blending crispy potato layers with savory cheese and hearty ground beef. Hungry souls will discover a crowd-pleasing dish that delivers pure satisfaction in every delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
Starch and Dairy:
- 1 bag (28 ounces / 794 grams) frozen French fries
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Seasoning and Sauce:
- 1 packet onion soup mix
- 1 can (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) cream of mushroom soup
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the cooking vessel by coating with a light grease layer and heating the oven to a moderate temperature of 375°F.
- Cook ground meat in a skillet, thoroughly breaking down and browning the protein until no pink remains, then carefully eliminate excess rendered fat.
- Introduce onion soup seasoning to the meat, allowing flavors to meld and intensify through a brief cooking period.
- Incorporate creamy mushroom sauce and dairy liquid into the meat mixture, stirring consistently to create a smooth, unified base.
- Transfer the meat preparation into the prepared baking dish, ensuring an even distribution across the surface.
- Generously sprinkle shredded dairy topping over the meat layer to create a melty foundation.
- Arrange frozen potato strips in a uniform layer, covering the entire cheese and meat surface.
- Position the casserole in the preheated oven, allowing approximately 30-35 minutes of cooking time until potato strips transform into a crisp, golden-brown exterior.
- Remove from oven and enhance visual appeal by scattering freshly chopped green herbs across the top before serving.
Notes
- Customize the casserole by swapping ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter protein option.
- Use low-fat or dairy-free cheese alternatives to make the dish more diet-friendly and reduce overall calorie content.
- Enhance flavor by adding diced bell peppers or mushrooms to the beef mixture for extra nutrition and depth of taste.
- For a crispy top, sprinkle breadcrumbs or crushed crackers over the French fries before baking to create a crunchy texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg