Cheeseburger and Fries Casserole
Cheeseburger and Fries Casserole is layers of flavor with seasoned ground beef, frozen French fries and gooey, melted cheese! An All-American family favorite!
A Whole Meal In A Casserole Dish
What is more American than a cheeseburger and fries? Ok, well maybe apple pie. But what if we took the two and smashed them together into one easy-to-serve (and eat!) casserole! That’s exactly what I did here. All the flavor without the bun!
I made this tonight for my family and it was a hit! Thank you so much for sharing this very creative recipe! I would’ve never thought of adding the eggs, mixed with mayo and milk- instead of the ” cream of something” soup. And the pickle addition definitely elevated it ( I love pickles)! ❤ I’ll be making this again for sure!
– Heidi
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! I like how the shoestring fries cooked up on this. But if you prefer crinkle fries or seasoned fries, then by all means use those.
I know garlic isn’t in a typical cheeseburger. However, I love the flavor it adds here but you can certainly skip it if you want. Don’t like pickles? You can leave them out.
Look, you are cooking. You can do whatever you want. You don’t need to ask my permission. If you like a different type of ground meat: sausage, venison, turkey, chicken or whatever – then use it if you enjoy it.
Absolutely! You a never go wrong with adding bacon! Just cook it up first then crumble it. I would probably add it as a topping when you add the last layer of cheese on top because you probably want it to stay crunchy.
I tend to use cheddar or American cheese the most. But you can really play with this recipe and use shredded gouda, mozzarella, provolone or a Mexican cheese blend.
Yes. You could freeze before baking. Then bake from frozen. You will need to add on additional cooking time if cooking from frozen though. I haven’t tested it yet so you’ll have to play with the cooking time.
Ingredients Needed: (See Recipe Card Below For The Full Recipe)
- ground beef – you can use ground pork, turkey or chicken.
- garlic – I prefer fresh garlic as it gives the best flavor but the jared stuff can be used in a pinch.
- dill pickle – don’t like pickle? Just leave it out. O
- eggs – these are used as a binder to hold it together.
- mayonnaise – you do not taste the mayonnaise as a separate ingredient, it just adds a touch of creaminess.
- half and half – you don’t want a thinner liquid. You could even use heavy cream. The thicker liquid will mix better with the meat – you do not want to use a skim milk.
- shredded cheese – I used a Colby Jack cheese blend. You can use whatever you prefer!
- frozen French fries – you can use your favorite fries, I just wouldn’t use anything too thick or they might take a lot longer to cook. Try to use a thinner, fast food style, fry if possible.
How To Make Cheeseburger and Fries Casserole:
Spray a 2 quart (11×7-inch) baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Preheat oven to 350f degrees. In skillet, brown ground beef with onion, garlic, salt and pepper. Drain excess fat from the cooked ground beef. Mix the pickles into the ground beef. Remove from heat and spoon the mixture into prepared dish.
Whisk together eggs, mayo and half and half. Pour egg mixture over beef mixture.
Sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheese over beef mixture. Season again with salt and pepper. Top with frozen french fries. Season french fries with salt, pepper and a sprinkling of garlic powder.
Bake for 35 minutes or until french fries are cooked and crispy. Note: Place dish under the broiler for a few minutes if you want your fries a bit more crispy. Top with remaining cup of shredded cheese. Return to the oven until cheese is melted.
Slice and serve topped with shredded lettuce and tomato. Optional: Drizzle a little Thousand Island dressing on top or ketchup and mustard!
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Originally published: June 2017
Updated and republished: February 2026
Cheeseburger and Fries Casserole
Ingredients
For the casserole:
- 1 pound ground beef
- salt and pepper (to taste) (see notes below)
- ½ yellow onion, diced
- 1 clove minced garlic
- ¼ cup chopped dill pickle
- 3 eggs
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup half and half
- 2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese (divided use)
- ½ bag frozen shoestring french fries (see notes below)
- garlic powder (to taste)
Suggested Toppings:
- shredded lettuce
- diced tomatoes
- Thousand Island dressing (like a Big Mac sauce)
- ketchup
- mustard
Instructions
- Spray a 2 quart (11×7-inch) baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Preheat oven to 350F degrees.
- In a skillet, brown and crumble 1 pound ground beef, with 1/2 yellow onion, diced, 1 clove minced garlic and season with salt and pepper (to taste) until fully cooked and onion is soft. Drain excess grease. Put back in the skillet.
- Mix 1/4 cup chopped dill pickle with the ground beef.
- Spoon the mixture into prepared baking dish.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together 3 eggs, 1/2 cup mayonnaise and 1/2 cup half and half. Pour egg mixture over the beef mixture. Season again with a little more salt and pepper (to taste).
- Sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese over the beef mixture.
- Top with 1/2 bag frozen shoestring french fries (use just enough for an even layer on top.)
- Season french fries with salt, pepper and a sprinkling of garlic powder.
- Bake uncovered, on the middle rack, for 35 minutes or until french fries are crispy. Oven times can vary so please go by doneness, not just by time.NOTE: If you want your fries to be crispier, just place the dish under the broiler for a few minutes. NEVER walk away from the oven when using the broiler. You must watch the entire time so it doesn't burn.
- Top with remaining 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese. Return to the oven until cheese is melted.
- Slice and serve topped with your favorite burger toppings (like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, ketchup, mustard or Thousand Island dressing.)
Video
Notes
- It’s really important you season all the layers with salt and pepper. It will make all the difference. However, please go by your tastes and what you can tolerate. If you cannot have or don’t like salt, then don’t use it. I just do a light sprinkle for each layer (including the garlic powder.)
- The ounces for a bag of fries seems to always be changing. When I originally posted this recipe years ago, the fries came in larger size bags and I think most standard bags (as of this update in writing) are 29 ounces but each brand seems to sell a different size. Just grab a standard size bag (not jumbo) and you will need just enough fries to cover the top.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
So so amazing!!!! Even my picky child loves it!!!!!!!!!!
Yay!! That makes my day to hear!! Thanks so much Rebecca 🙂
I have been making this recipe for years and just realized I Have never commented! This has been a family favorite since you posted it years ago and we absolutely love it and my kids request it when they come back home to visit. Thank you so much. I absolutely love your site and trust your recipes. All the tips you give and step by step photos and videos make it so easy to follow along. You are so detailed and explain everything so well (like a teacher lol)
Oh goodness, thank you so very much Jen! You made my day with your comment! I appreciate you finally coming back to comment and tell me. Sometimes you just don’t know if folks are enjoying a recipe until they comment so it really means so much when someone takes the time out of their busy day to leave a comment. Thank you for being here all these years!
I just made this. My husband and I loved it. Will be making again.
Can’t wait to try this, but my daughter doesn’t like mayo, can you taste it in the recipe? Also, is there a substitute for it just in case? Thanks!
You can’t taste it. It just adds creaminess. You can substitute for sour cream if she prefers that 🙂
I had only these ingredients and it turned out great. Everyone at the church potluck liked it. I also made one using mushrooms rather than meat for a vegetarian friend and she loved it!
Woo hoo! I absolutely love hearing that – thank you! And I really love that you were able to make a vegetarian version – that was genius with the mushrooms!
I made this tonight for my family and it was a hit! Thank you so much for sharing this very creative recipe! I would’ve never thought of adding the eggs, mixed with mayo and milk- instead of the ” cream of something” soup. And the pickle addition definitely elevated it ( I love pickles)! ❤ I’ll be making this again for sure!
Yay! Love hearing that Heidi! Thanks so very much for taking the time to come back and leave comment. I really appreciate it!
Can I use 1000 Island dressing with milk and egg instead if mayo
You should be able to do that. I haven’t tested it so I’d love to know how it turns out for you if you try it 🙂
maybe a plain greek yogurt or sour cream
I was a little unsure about the mayo, cream, and egg mix, but did not want to use canned cream soup or have cream cheese, so have it a try. Added bacon. We liked the casserole, tasty!.
My son is dairy free so we will leave out the cheese. But can we also leave out the half and half?
Recipe sounds like something my hubby would enjoy so will give it a go! The story about your parents and the photos are awesome – made me laugh and smile. You have great parents, I can just tell from the pics!
Thank you so much Beverly! Those two are a hoot. They drive each other crazy but couldn’t do without each other. Ha!
I haven’t made this…yet, but I definitely will. If you used ground sausage instead of ground beef it would make an excellent breakfast casserole. I loved your story, thank you for sharing those special memories.
Hi Carol – I think that would be a fantastic idea!!
Your folks are so cute. It’s wonderful to see other people who have succeeded in having fun with each other for so many years.
Thank you RobbieAnn! They are a funny pair for sure! And they still get McDonald’s for every anniversary – ha!
Tammy I know I’m super late but I tried it with French onion dip instead of mayo the second time and it was delicious same amount and all check it out
You might try to substitute “Hidden Valley Original Ranch Secret Sauce.” You can find it in the condiment section of most major grocery stores. HVR Secret Sauce is supposed to mimic the “special sauce” on McDonald’s Big Mac, and would perhaps make the casserole taste all the more like the famous fast food burger.
@Tammy Morgart you could try plain Greek yogurt or a little olive oil.
Hi Brandie, I am new to your website. I made this cheeseburger recipe and I used the frozen diced hash browns instead of fries. It turned out so good. just wanted to tell you we loved this recipe. thank you
Hi Carole – yay! Thank you so very much for taking the time to comment!! I am so happy to hear that!
I seriously got tears when I read your dad’s reply! So super sweet!
And, I think I might just try this dish for my son (who loves burgers and fries) before I drive him 11 hours and move him into his college dorm for the first time!
I love your sight, thanks for all the great recipes!!
Aww Bobbie – thank you so much!! Your comment means so much!!
Hi Tammy! Hmmm…what do you normally substitute for mayo in recipes? I haven’t tried it with anything else so I’m honestly not sure. I’m sorry! Maybe someone on here will have a good idea!
Well I just don’t make it if it calls for mayo. lol But this is something that the whole family would like so I’d really like to try it.
Gotcha! LOL! I have been wracking my brain and can’t think of anything that would work the same or give the same fat and flavor.
I would try french onion sour cream dip (cabots) and if you can’t find any onion dip will work that is sour cream based. The flavor is very good.
Happy Anniversary to them both !! My Husband and I met at McDonald’s and have been
married for 50 yrs !
Ha! Must be something in the Coca Cola at McDonald’s! 😉 Happy Anniversary to you!
can I add milk instead of half and half?
This looks like the ultimate comfort food right here!! Thanks for sharing!
Very yummy! Reminds me of a big mac (which is what i was hoping) Thanks for sharing!
I’m a Wisconsin girl, so I am going to need to try this…. 🙂 just because!! My parents celebrated their 45th last weekend as well! That’s a long, long time!!! haha.
If dad is a true Wisconsin person aka Sconnie – ask him to make a Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet!
Can I make the night before?
Sounds GREAT!!!!!!!
This sounds SO good! Not exactly health food but it sure brings back lots of memories! I will definitely make it.
Hi, Brandie’s dad here. I just want to say how very humbled and proud we are of our daughter, the Country Cook. I mean, come on, how many people have the honor and privilege of having a dish created in memory of their first date? So thanks, Kiddo, and to everyone else – TRY THIS RECIPE – you WILL love it!
That is so sweet! Thank you for raising such a wonderful daughter. What a gift she is to all of us. I will definitely try this recipe. Happy Anniversary!
Now I’m gonna cry! Thank you both!
This looks so good! We just celebrated our 54th wedding anniversary. Back then we didn’t have much money, well hardly any money at all, and the only thing we could afford to eat on our wedding night was cheeseburger baskets and frosted mug root beers. The little drive-in that we stopped at to eat had a special of buy one cheeseburger basker, get one free and the root beers were only 15 cents, so that’s what we ordered to eat. Now on every anniversary (even on our 50th) we always have cheeseburgers and fries and Diet Cokes instead of the root beers because we can no longer find the frosted mug root beers! I might add that we eloped and he was in the Army so that’s why we didn’t have much money. LOL! Anyway, thanks for letting me share my story and thanks for the recipe, it really brought back a lot of memories.
Love, love, love your story! I think the simple and sweetest stories often are the ones that go the distance! Happy Anniversary you two kiddos!
This looks amazing. I think I’m going to fry up some bacon and add that to the mix! Thanks for the recipe and sharing your cute parents story:)
Thanks Lurena!! Hope you love it!
Happy Anniversay to you and your parents!!…Great Dish!!!
So sweet – thank you Renae!