French Fry Casserole Bake

This French Fry Casserole Bake is a comforting, crowd-pleasing dish that combines crispy crinkle-cut fries with seasoned ground beef and a creamy cheddar-infused sauce. I love how it delivers all the satisfaction of a hearty casserole with minimal effort—perfect for busy weeknights or game day gatherings.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love this casserole because it uses simple ingredients I often already have in my freezer or pantry. Baking the fries first ensures they stay crisp on top, while the beef and cheese sauce underneath is rich, savory, and filling. It’s family-friendly, affordable, and reheats like a dream—basically everything I want in a one-pan meal.

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Base Components:
frozen crinkle-cut French fries
lean ground beef
sweet yellow onion

Seasonings:
kosher salt
cracked black pepper
Worcestershire sauce

Sauce Base:
cream of mushroom soup
cheddar cheese soup
half and half

Cheese:
mild cheddar cheese, freshly grated

Directions

Preheat and bake the fries
I preheat the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with foil sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Then I spread the frozen fries in a single layer, season them with salt and pepper, and bake for 20–25 minutes until golden and crispy.

Cook the beef and onions
While the fries bake, I brown the ground beef with the finely chopped onion in a large skillet or stockpot over medium-high heat, stirring until no pink remains. I drain any excess liquid to avoid sogginess.

Make the creamy sauce
With the heat on medium, I stir in the cream of mushroom soup, cheddar cheese soup, half and half, and Worcestershire sauce. I cook the mixture for about 2 minutes until it’s hot and well blended, then remove from the heat.

Assemble the casserole
In a 9×13-inch baking dish sprayed with nonstick spray, I spread the beef and sauce mixture evenly, then sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese on top.

Add fries and cheese topping
I layer the baked fries evenly over the beef mixture, then sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of cheddar cheese over the top.

Bake to finish
I bake the assembled casserole for 18–20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. I serve it hot, while everything is golden and gooey.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes 8 servings.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Total time: 1 hour

Variations

I sometimes swap the ground beef for turkey or chicken for a lighter version. If I want more spice, I add diced jalapeños or hot sauce to the beef mixture. You can also switch out the cream of mushroom soup for cream of chicken or celery depending on your taste. If I’m cooking for vegetarians, I’ve replaced the beef with a plant-based ground meat substitute with great results.

storage/reheating

I let the casserole cool completely before storing it in the fridge, tightly covered, for up to 3 days. To reheat, I use a 350°F oven for 15–20 minutes to keep the fries crisp. The microwave works in a pinch, but the fries lose some of their crunch.

FAQs

How can I keep the fries crispy?

Baking them separately before layering is key. I also make sure not to overdo the sauce so the fries stay crisp on top.

Can I use different types of fries?

Yes. Crinkle-cut fries hold sauce well, but I’ve also used steak fries and even tater tots with great success—just be sure they’re baked until crispy first.

What kind of cheese melts best?

Freshly shredded mild cheddar is my go-to for its meltability and flavor. Pre-shredded cheese contains additives that don’t melt as smoothly.

Can I make this ahead?

Yes, I assemble the casserole and refrigerate it unbaked. When ready, I add the fries and bake as directed. Or bake it completely and reheat it before serving.

Can I freeze it?

I don’t recommend freezing the fully assembled casserole because the fries can get soggy. But the beef mixture and cheese layer freeze well separately—just add fresh fries when you’re ready to bake.

Conclusion

This French Fry Casserole Bake is pure comfort food with layers of seasoned beef, creamy cheese sauce, and crispy fries. It’s easy to make, incredibly satisfying, and always a hit at the table. Whether I’m feeding a group or just looking for a cozy weeknight dinner, this casserole is one I keep coming back to.

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