French Fry Casserole Bake (Printable Version)

A satisfying blend of crispy fries, seasoned beef, and cheddar cheese baked into a rich, hearty dish.

# Ingredients:

→ Frozen Potatoes

01 - 907 grams frozen crinkle-cut French fries
02 - 0.75 teaspoon kosher salt
03 - 0.5 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

→ Meat and Aromatics

04 - 907 grams lean ground beef
05 - 120 milliliters finely chopped sweet yellow onion

→ Sauce Components

06 - 298 grams cream of mushroom soup
07 - 298 grams cheddar cheese soup
08 - 30 milliliters half and half
09 - 10 milliliters Worcestershire sauce

→ Cheese

10 - 360 grams mild cheddar cheese, freshly grated, divided

# Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 190°C. Line a baking sheet with heavy-duty aluminum foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Spread frozen crinkle-cut fries in a single layer on the sheet. Season evenly with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until fries are golden and crisp, monitoring closely to avoid burning.
02 - While fries bake, heat a 4 to 5 quart stockpot or 25 to 30 cm nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and finely chopped onion. Stir frequently, cooking until beef is fully browned with no pink remaining, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Drain excess liquid to prevent sogginess.
03 - Reduce heat to medium. Stir in cream of mushroom soup, cheddar cheese soup, half and half, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook gently for 2 minutes, stirring constantly until sauce is well combined and heated through. Remove from heat.
04 - Spray a 23x33 cm baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Spread beef and sauce mixture evenly across the bottom. Sprinkle 120 grams (1 cup) of grated cheddar cheese over the mixture.
05 - Remove baked fries from oven and evenly distribute over the cheese layer in the baking dish. Sprinkle remaining 240 grams (2 cups) of grated cheddar cheese evenly over the fries.
06 - Bake casserole in preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and beef mixture is hot throughout. Serve immediately while warm.

# Notes:

01 - Baking fries separately before layering preserves crispiness and prevents soggy texture.
02 - Use freshly shredded cheddar cheese for optimal melting and flavor.
03 - Drain cooked beef thoroughly to avoid watery casserole layers.

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