With Fries, Canned Soup, And Ground Beef, You Can Make A Simple Family Casserole

Every cook has a rotation of reliable weeknight meals, but no matter how much you love those recipes, you might get tired of them eventually. There are also those moments where you find you've run out of ingredients to make your favorite dishes. For a tasty, filling dinner that you've never tried before — and uses ingredients you may already have — turn to an easy ground beef casserole recipe made with frozen french fries and canned cream of mushroom soup.

This thrifty recipe will feed a family of four for under $20. Made with crispy yet fluffy fries, a can of savory, creamy soup, and hearty ground beef, it's also surprisingly tasty. To make it, start by browning the beef in a skillet with any optional veggies you might want to toss in, such as onions, garlic, bell peppers, or carrots. You can also add seasonings to the meat, but keep in mind that the canned soup will add more saltiness and flavor. Once the beef is no longer pink, pour the soup into the pan and mix thoroughly. Put the mixture in your casserole dish and top it with a generous layer of frozen fries. Finally, bake the casserole until the fries crisp up and the filling turns bubbly and hot. 

Let the dish cool for 10 to 20 minutes before serving — cutting into it right away is a casserole mistake to avoid, as your slices will turn out runny and messy. With that, all that's left is to enjoy this rich, satisfying meal while it's still warm.

This casserole recipe can be changed up depending on your mood, ensuring that you'll never get tired of it. One simple tweak is to switch up the fry topping. Some of our favorite frozen french fry brands include Aldi's Signature Select Extra Crispy Fast Food Style Fries, Arby's Seasoned Curly Fries, and Red Robin Seasoned Steak Fries, all of which have different shapes and flavors. Thick-cut fries make for a fluffier, heartier topping; skinny fries get super crispy; and seasoned fries add flair to your dish. Sweet potato fries would be a tasty change of pace, too, and you could even use frozen tater tots for an extra crunchy touch that kids will love.

Swapping out the cream of mushroom for other popular canned soups you might have in your pantry also has a big impact on your casserole — just avoid thin, watery products that will turn the dish into a wet puddle. Try thick soups like cream of chicken, cream of onion, or even cheddar soup. The latter will make your meal taste a bit like a cheeseburger and fries in casserole form.

Extra veggies, seasonings, and toppings will help to make this casserole your own. Sauteed mushrooms would be a delicious addition that reinforces the flavor of the soup, and earthy herbs like rosemary and thyme will create more of a home-cooked taste. Shaking some Worcestershire into the meat mixture instead creates a burst of savoriness, while sprinkling shredded cheese over the dish before baking adds extra gooey satisfaction to every slice.