Description
This easy, one-pan bake combines seasoned ground beef, crispy French fries, and gooey cheese into a delicious family-friendly comfort food casserole.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20 lean)
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup beef broth
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
1 (28 ounce) bag frozen French fries
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Optional: Pickles, diced tomatoes, or green onions for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and diced onion. Cook, breaking up the beef with a spoon, until the beef is browned and the onion is softened, about 8-10 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
Step 3: Add minced garlic, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika to the skillet. Cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
Step 4: Stir in Worcestershire sauce, beef broth, ketchup, and yellow mustard. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly. Remove from heat.
Step 5: Spread the seasoned ground beef mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
Step 6: Arrange the frozen French fries in a single layer over the ground beef. Try to cover the entire surface for even crisping.
Step 7: Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the fries are starting to crisp and turn golden.
Step 8: Remove the baking dish from the oven and sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the fries.
Step 9: Return to the oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and melted and the fries are golden brown and crispy.
Step 10: Let the bake rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with optional toppings like pickles, diced tomatoes, or green onions if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
For an extra crispy topping, you can pre-bake the fries on a separate baking sheet for 10-15 minutes before adding them to the casserole. Feel free to add a dash of red pepper flakes to the beef mixture for a bit of heat!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 casserole
- Calories: 620 kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 120mg