French Fry Casserole is the ultimate comfort food as it’s cheesy, loaded with seasoned ground beef, and is perfectly crispy!

It’s slightly different from your average meat and veggie casserole as it consists of a heap of golden fries tucked underneath a creamy mushroom and cheese sauce. But mark my words when I say that this recipe will replace any stew, soup or traditional casserole when fall and winter roll around!

Although the taste of this French Fry Casserole is sensational, what makes it a complete winner is just how easy it is. You’ll be using frozen fries, a savory cheddar cheese soup, a canned cream of mushroom soup, and just a sprinkle of green onions (for crunch!). So, you can have this delectable dish whipped up in record time without slaving over a hot stove!

Simply put your ingredients into a baking dish, load it up, and wait for the magic to happen in the oven. The result should be a creamy, cheesy, and meaty delight that’ll brighten up any rough weekday at the office.

Why You’ll Love This French Fry Casserole

It’s ridiculously easy to make and combines easy-to-find ingredients from the grocery store.
Everything is bundled into the oven uncooked, making it the perfect multi-tasking meal to leave bubbling away.
The cheese and mushroom flavors create a rich and savory base that complements the seasoned meat perfectly.
Using frozen fries removes tons of prep work to make this the ultimate midweek lifesaver!

Ingredients

The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

Lean ground beef. Leaner packages of ground beef tend to work best here as the fat won’t leak into the casserole. Anything around 5% usually works well, but your mileage may vary here!
Cream of mushroom soup. Offers your casserole a distinct savory flavor that you can’t beat.
Cheddar cheese soup. Gives the recipe a rich, cheesy, and super creamy texture without a homemade cheese sauce!
Frozen French fries. I like using McCain Superfries because they bake up super crispy in the oven. You can technically use any fries you want, but I find these are best if you like an extra crispy result!
Salt and pepper. To taste.
Green onions. For garnishing and adding a hint of crunch to your casserole.

How to Make French Fry Casserole

Step One: Preheat oven to 350°F.
Step Two: Spread uncooked ground beef on the bottom of a 9×13 inch casserole dish. Season with salt and pepper.
Step Three: Spread cream of mushroom soup and cheddar cheese soup on top. Top with frozen french fries.
Step Four: Bake for 1 hour. Serve hot.

Equipment Needed

Here are some kitchen tools to help you make this recipe.

What to Serve with French Fry Casserole

I find this French Fry Casserole filling on its own, so you don’t necessarily need to serve it with sides. But if you have a hearty appetite, you can whip up a few of these dishes to turn your dinner into a full-blown banquet.

French fry casserole with a serving spoon in the pan.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Don’t skimp on seasoning the meat. You’ll get a decent salty flavor from both soups, but you want to make sure you’re using enough salt and pepper. Otherwise, you risk ending up with bland meat!
Make sure you evenly coat the mixture before putting it in the oven. You want the French fries to come out crispy, but it’s also important to properly coat the meat mixture in both soups. This will give you an even flavor across the entire casserole.
Always use frozen fries. I get that using fresh potatoes can be appealing, but frozen fries get super crispy in the oven!

Variations and Substitutions

If you want a deeper flavor, season your meat with garlic powder and paprika too.
Feel free to sprinkle some cheddar, Colby Jack, Pepper Jack, or mozzarella cheese over the top of your casserole. It’s not necessary for flavor as you’re using a cheese soup, but it can add a nice layer of extra cheesiness to the mix.
You can throw in bacon bits or slices for extra savory flavor. I find that doing this makes the French Fry Casserole taste like a tasty loaded burger!
Speaking of burgers, you can create a deconstructed fast food delight by serving your casserole with lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles on the side. It’ll taste just like a burger, trust me!
You can make this recipe vegetarian by replacing the ground beef with chili beans, black beans, or kidney beans.
Adding bell peppers to the mix can give your recipe a bit of extra sweetness and crunch.

French fry casserole on a plate with a fork.

Storage Instructions

You can store this French Fry Casserole in its baking dish for a day or so in the fridge.

If you want it to last longer, transfer the contents to an airtight container where it’ll stay tasty for up to 4 days.

Can I Freeze?

I don’t recommend freezing this casserole as the fries won’t retain their crunch very well.

You can technically freeze your casserole in a freezer-safe dish for up to 4 months. But the fries will be relatively soggy when they’re defrosted, so proceed with caution!

Casserole Recipes

Craving casseroles? I have you covered. Try these yummy recipes.

Tortellini Casserole: Hearty and delicious. This easy pasta casserole has beef tortellini smothered in a savory rose sauce, veggies and loads of cheese.
Tater Tot Casserole: A classic comfort food casserole your family will love! It has a layer of ground beef mixed with a creamy veggie sauce and topped with crispy Tater Tots and melted cheddar cheese.
Chicken & Broccoli Casserole: A twist on my Mom’s classic recipe! Enjoy as a comfort food meal or a holiday side dish.
Beef Noodle Bake: Hearty, filling and oh so cheesy! This comfort food recipe hits all the spots.
Beef Nacho Bake: Exactly what you need to make when you are craving something hearty and filling. It’s easy to make and so delicious.

Make sure you bookmark this Chicken Alfredo Pierogi Casserole, Pierogi Casserole or Mexican Tater Tot Casserole, too!

Try my poutine.

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French fry Casserole in a pan with a serving spoon.

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4.43 from 19 votes