Cheeseburger French Fry Bake with Ground Beef and Cheddar (Print version)

A cozy cheeseburger-inspired bake with seasoned ground beef, crisp frozen fries, melted cheddar, pickles, and a tangy burger sauce.

# Ingredients:

For the bake

01 - 28 oz (790 g) frozen French fries, crinkle-cut or regular

02 - 1 tablespoon neutral oil or cooking spray, for the dish

03 - 1 lb (450 g) ground beef, 85 to 90 percent lean

04 - 1/2 cup (75 g) diced yellow onion

05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

06 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided

07 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

08 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

09 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

10 - 1/4 cup (60 g) ketchup

11 - 2 tablespoons yellow mustard

12 - 1/4 cup (55 g) mayonnaise

13 - 1/3 cup (50 g) chopped dill pickles

14 - 2 cups (225 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese

For serving

15 - 1 cup (45 g) shredded lettuce

16 - 1/2 cup (90 g) diced tomato

17 - Extra chopped pickles, ketchup, and mustard, as desired

# Instructions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 425°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish or wide oven-safe pan.

02 - Spread the frozen fries in the dish and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bake for 18-20 minutes, stirring once, until hot and starting to crisp.

03 - While the fries bake, cook the ground beef and onion in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 6-8 minutes. Add garlic, remaining salt, pepper, and smoked paprika during the last minute. Drain excess fat.

04 - Stir Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, and chopped pickles into the beef. Cook for 1 minute, just until glossy and combined.

05 - Spoon the beef mixture over the partially baked fries. Sprinkle cheddar evenly over the top.

06 - Return to the oven for 8-10 minutes, until the cheddar is melted and bubbling. Broil for 1-2 minutes if you want crispier edges. Top with lettuce, tomato, extra pickles, ketchup, and mustard before serving.

# Good to know:

01 - Serve immediately for the crispiest fries.

02 - Cook ground beef to 160°F for food safety.

03 - Reheat uncovered in the oven or air fryer for the best texture.

Back