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Cheeseburger French Fry Bake

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This Cheeseburger French Fry Bake is the ultimate comfort food that brings together crispy crinkle-cut fries, juicy seasoned ground beef, melted cheddar cheese, and a drizzle of ketchup and green onions for a zesty finish. It’s everything you love about a cheeseburger, but layered into a warm, cheesy, shareable casserole that’s perfect for weeknights or casual get-togethers.

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With just a few pantry staples and a bag of frozen fries, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a deliciously indulgent dinner. Plus, it’s fully customizable—add pickles, swap in turkey, or load it up with jalapeños. Either way, you’ll end up with a golden, bubbling dish that’s always a crowd favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Cheeseburger French Fry Bake

It’s easy, fast, and family-friendly. You’ll love how the fries crisp up while soaking in all the savory beef and cheese. With minimal prep and maximum flavor, it’s a win for both weeknight dinners and game-day gatherings.

What Kind of Fries Work Best?

Crinkle-cut fries are ideal for this bake because their ridges hold onto the meat and cheese. That said, straight-cut fries or waffle fries work well too—just make sure they bake up crispy so the dish doesn’t get soggy.


Ingredients for the Cheeseburger French Fry Bake

This recipe uses simple, everyday ingredients to bring bold, nostalgic flavors to your plate.

  • 1 (26 oz) bag frozen crinkle-cut French fries – The crispy base layer that brings the perfect crunch.
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20) – Provides the juicy, meaty cheeseburger flavor.
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder – Adds a subtle background note.
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder – Enhances the beef with a hint of savory sweetness.
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt – Brings out the flavor in every bite.
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper – A mild kick to round it out.
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese – Melts beautifully and gives that classic cheeseburger finish.
  • 1/3 cup ketchup (plus more for topping) – Adds tangy-sweet burger vibes.
  • 1/4 cup chopped green onions – Brightens and balances the richness.

How To Make the Cheeseburger French Fry Bake

Step 1: Bake the Fries

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Spread the frozen crinkle-cut fries in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crisp.

Step 2: Cook the Ground Beef

While the fries bake, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until fully browned, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess grease. Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Add 1/3 cup ketchup and stir to combine.

Step 3: Assemble the Bake

Lower oven temperature to 400°F. In a 9×13-inch baking dish, layer half of the baked fries. Spoon all the seasoned beef mixture over the fries and top with 1 cup of shredded cheddar. Add remaining fries and finish with the remaining 1 cup of cheese.

Step 4: Bake Until Bubbly

Bake uncovered for 10–12 minutes, until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly. Remove from oven and drizzle with extra ketchup. Sprinkle chopped green onions over the top.


Serving and Storing Cheeseburger French Fry Bake

This hearty bake yields 6 generous servings. Serve it hot right out of the oven, with optional toppings like pickles, mustard drizzle, or hot sauce for extra flair.

Leftovers? Store tightly covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to maintain crispiness.

What to Serve With Cheeseburger French Fry Bake?

H3: Creamy Coleslaw

The tang and crunch offer a refreshing contrast.

H3: Dill Pickle Spears

They give that full cheeseburger experience.

H3: Simple Side Salad

Keep it light and crisp with greens and vinaigrette.

H3: Roasted Veggies

Balance the richness with broccoli, carrots, or zucchini.

H3: Fried Pickles

Double down on the burger theme with a crispy side.

H3: Garlic Breadsticks

If you’re going big, go all in!

H3: Sweet Corn on the Cob

Adds a pop of sweetness to the meal.


Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! You can cook the beef and bake the fries a few hours in advance. Assemble the bake and refrigerate until ready to finish in the oven.

Can I use tater tots instead of fries?
Absolutely. Tots work well and add a fun texture twist. Bake them first so they stay crispy in the casserole.

How do I make it spicy?
Add diced jalapeños to the beef or use pepper jack cheese. A drizzle of sriracha or spicy ketchup works too.

Is there a way to lighten this up?
Try using ground turkey, low-fat cheese, and oven-baked fries. You can also cut down on cheese or use a reduced-fat blend.

Can I freeze this bake?
It’s best fresh, but you can freeze portions in airtight containers for up to a month. Reheat in a 375°F oven until warmed through.

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📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can come back to it any time.
And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you use waffle fries or tater tots? Add bacon or mustard drizzle?
I love hearing how others make these recipes their own. Questions are welcome too—let’s help each other cook smarter.

Conclusion

Cheeseburger French Fry Bake is a fast, delicious, and totally satisfying dinner idea for families, game nights, or any time you need a quick win at the table. Loaded with gooey cheese, crispy fries, and savory beef, it’s got all the flavors of your favorite burger in a craveable bake.

For more easy dinner ideas and comfort food inspiration, check out our other recipes like Creamy Cajun Beef Spaghetti, Impossible Cheeseburger Pie, and Sticky Honey Mustard Sausage Pasta Skillet.

Looking for even more ideas? Follow me on Pinterest at Meals We Share.

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Cheeseburger French Fry Bake


  • Author: Sally Roberts
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings

Description

This Cheeseburger French Fry Bake is the ultimate easy dinner idea—layered with crispy crinkle-cut fries, seasoned ground beef, melty cheddar cheese, and a tangy drizzle of ketchup. It’s everything you love about a cheeseburger in casserole form, perfect for a quick dinner, comfort food craving, or casual family gathering. Packed with bold flavors and easy ingredients, this is one of those food ideas you’ll keep coming back to—whether you’re looking for a hearty weeknight meal, game night recipe, or crowd-pleasing party bake. Try it today!


Ingredients

1 (26 oz) bag frozen crinkle-cut French fries

1 lb ground beef (80/20)

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1/3 cup ketchup (plus more for topping)

1/4 cup chopped green onions


Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Spread the frozen crinkle-cut fries in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crisp.

2. While the fries bake, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until fully browned, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess grease. Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Add 1/3 cup ketchup and stir to combine.

3. Lower oven temperature to 400°F. In a 9×13-inch baking dish, layer half of the baked fries. Spoon all the seasoned beef mixture over the fries and top with 1 cup of shredded cheddar. Add remaining fries and finish with the remaining 1 cup of cheese.

4. Bake uncovered for 10–12 minutes, until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly. Remove from oven and drizzle with extra ketchup. Sprinkle chopped green onions over the top.

Notes

Make sure to bake the fries first so they stay crisp in the casserole.

Don’t skip the ketchup drizzle at the end—it adds big burger flavor.

Swap in ground turkey or use low-fat cheese to lighten it up.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 495
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 610mg
  • Fat: 28g
  • Saturated Fat: 13g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 13g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 36g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 25g
  • Cholesterol: 80mg

Keywords: quick dinner, comfort food, cheesy bake, easy recipe, family meal

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