Description
This Cheeseburger French Fry Casserole combines all the flavors of a classic cheeseburger with crispy shoestring fries in a creamy, hearty bake. Ground beef mixed with savory cheddar cheese and mushroom soups forms a rich base, topped with golden air-fried fries and melted sharp cheddar cheese. Finished with a tangy homemade burger sauce, this casserole is perfect for a comforting family meal ready in just 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 500 g ground beef (80/20 fat ratio)
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 300 g canned cheddar cheese soup
- 300 g canned cream of mushroom soup
- 600 g frozen shoestring french fries
- 150 g sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Burger Sauce Ingredients
- 60 g mayonnaise
- 20 g ketchup
- 10 g yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon pickle juice
- 1 teaspoon dehydrated onions
- Pinch of black pepper
Other
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil, for greasing and cooking
Instructions
- Air Fry the French Fries: Preheat the air fryer to 200°C. Cook the frozen shoestring fries according to package instructions until golden and crispy. Set them aside to keep crisp for topping the casserole.
- Sauté Beef and Onions: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the neutral oil. Add the ground beef and diced onion, sautéing while breaking up the meat until fully browned and the onions have softened, about 6–8 minutes.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook briefly for 30–45 seconds until fragrant, careful not to let it brown to maintain its aromatic quality.
- Season the Meat: Sprinkle onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper over the beef mixture. Stir well to evenly distribute the seasonings. Drain any excess fat from the skillet for a cleaner, less greasy casserole.
- Add Soups: Pour in the canned cheddar cheese soup and cream of mushroom soup, stirring continuously to combine everything into a creamy, cohesive mixture.
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Lightly grease a 28×18 cm baking dish with neutral oil to prevent sticking. Evenly spread the creamy meat mixture as the casserole base.
- Layer Fries and Cheese: Arrange the crispy air-fried french fries evenly over the meat layer. Sprinkle the shredded sharp cheddar cheese across the top for a cheesy crust.
- Bake the Casserole: Preheat the oven to 175°C. Bake the casserole for 10–15 minutes until the cheese is melted and the fries begin to brown. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Make the Burger Sauce: While baking, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, pickle juice, dehydrated onions, and a pinch of black pepper in a bowl. Whisk until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Rest and Serve: Remove casserole from oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Drizzle the prepared burger sauce over the hot casserole just before serving for an extra burst of flavor.
Notes
- Use 80/20 ground beef for optimal flavor and juiciness in the casserole.
- Drain excess fat after browning the meat to keep the dish from being too greasy.
- Air frying the fries separately ensures they stay crispy rather than becoming soggy during baking.
- Keep an eye on the casserole while baking to prevent the cheese from burning.
- The burger sauce can be prepared ahead and refrigerated for up to 2 days.
- For a spicier twist, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the meat mixture or sauce.
