Crispy Fry Bake (Print Version)

Crunchy fries, flavorful beef, and gooey cheese make a hearty baked favorite everyone loves.

# Ingredients:

01 - 2 pounds ground beef, lean
02 - 32 oz bag of frozen crinkle fries
03 - ¾ tsp kosher salt
04 - ½ tsp black pepper, coarsely ground
05 - ½ cup finely diced yellow onion, sweet
06 - 10.5 oz can of cheddar cheese soup
07 - 10.5 oz can of cream of mushroom soup
08 - 2 tbsp half-and-half cream
09 - 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
10 - 3 cups shredded mild cheddar, split into 2 cups and 1 cup portions

# Steps:

01 - Turn your oven up to 375°F. Lay a sheet of thick aluminum foil over a baking tray and coat it lightly with nonstick spray.
02 - Scatter the frozen fries across the prepped tray so they form a single layer. Sprinkle with the salt and cracked pepper. Pop them into the oven for 20-25 minutes, keeping an eye on them. You want them crisp, not limp, since ovens differ.
03 - As the fries bake, throw the ground beef and diced onions into a large skillet or stockpot over medium-high heat. Stir regularly until the beef is brown and cooked through—about 5-7 minutes. Drain any extra grease before moving on.
04 - Turn the heat to medium, then mix in the mushroom soup, cheese soup, half-and-half, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir nonstop for a couple of minutes, then take it off the heat.
05 - Coat a 9x13-inch casserole dish with nonstick spray. Pour the beef and soup combo into the bottom and spread it out evenly. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar on top of the beef layer.
06 - Grab the fries from the oven and layer them over the shredded cheese. Scatter the remaining 2 cups of cheddar on top to cover the fries completely.
07 - Put the dish in the oven and bake for another 18-20 minutes. The cheese will be gooey, and the beef at the bottom will bubble slightly. Serve right away while it’s warm.

# Notes and Tips:

01 - For smoother melting, shred cheese straight from the block. Pre-grated cheese has stuff added that can mess with melting.
02 - Baking the fries first helps keep them crisp when layered in the casserole.
03 - Since every oven is different, keep an eye on your dish as it bakes to prevent burning the cheese.

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