This Cheesy French Fry Casserole recipe is made with frozen french fries and shredded cheddar cheese. Easy to make, baked in the oven for 1 hour. Your entire family is going to love these Loaded French Fries!
Everyone loves french fries (especially with burgers!), and everyone loves nachos. So what happens when you combine the two? You get this yummy recipe! This French Fry Casserole is so much fun to eat and it’s loaded with great flavors. You can get creative and really pile on the toppings!
I always have a bag of frozen French fries in my freezer because I always stock up on them when they’re on sale. They are a great time saver for nights when you want a quick and easy side dish or you want a really substantial snack.
Whenever French fries are on sale, usually 2 bags for $5, I always grab two bags.
A few nights ago, I was going through the process of what to make for dinner. There were a few rules:
- I wanted French fries.
- I wanted to use up heavy creamy, which was about to expire.
- I wanted to use some type of garden vegetable.
- I wanted the meal to be quick to prepare. This means frozen French fries.
- I wanted it to be delicious.
And just like that, French Fry Casserole was born!
When I took these loaded French fries out of the oven, I pulled back the foil and I wish I had a video to document Matthew’s reaction. It was pure excitement for this casserole.
How to Make
This recipe is about as simple as it gets. The first step is to preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and cover the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish with frozen french fries. Next, pour the heavy cream over the top and sprinkle on the cheddar cheese. Then, put the chili beans and bell peppers on top of the cheese.
Cover the prepared casserole with foil and poke a fork through the foil 3 times – this helps the steam escape. Bake for 1 hour. Finally, remove the dish from the oven and let it sit for about 5 minutes. Serve and enjoy!
Variations
The toppings listed here, happen to be our favorites but you can always add any others that you like.
- I used chili beans because I like the flavor but you could either use regular chili, or you could just use regular beans, like black beans or red kidney beans.
- On top, I added a chopped green bell pepper. This gives the casserole a great crunch and it just makes me happy to use anything we grow in the garden. Any color bell pepper will work. Or even add a sliced jalapeno pepper for spice.
- Add diced tomatoes or fresh salsa, in addition to the peppers.
- Try adding shredded chicken or ground beef to the top for a little extra protein and a complete meal. Bacon bits would be yummy too!
- Other fun topping ideas are black olives, pico de gallo, avocado or guacamole and/or sour cream.
What to do with Leftovers?
This dish is best served immediately and if you’re feeding a family, I doubt there will be leftovers, but just in case….
Store the leftover french fries covered in the refrigerator for up to a couple of days. Reheat them in a toaster oven or regular oven at about 350 degrees F for several minutes and until fully heated. I would not recommend reheating these in the microwave, as they will become mushy.
Hope you enjoy this French Fry Casserole for dinner soon!
More Casserole Recipes
My favorites are: Baked Spaghetti Casserole, Tater Tot Casserole, Shipwreck Casserole, Cabbage Roll Casserole, Pizza Casserole, Cheesy Green Pepper Casserole and Quesadilla Casserole.
Pin for later:
French Fry Casserole
PrintIngredients
- 1 32 oz bag frozen french fries
- 1 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 8 oz shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 15 oz can chili beans
- 1 green bell pepper chopped up
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Cover the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish with frozen french fries.
- Pour heavy cream on top, over the french fries.
- Sprinkle cheddar cheese on top.
- Finally, add chili beans and bell peppers on top, spreading them across the casserole.
- Cover with foil and poke a fork through the foil 3 times, this helps the steam escape.
- Bake for 1 hour.
- Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes.
PS: check out my web story too!
pat mesic says
This just what I was looking for . I had some some fries in the freezer and I had some leftover chili. can’t wait to make it today.
Becky says
Hi Pamela, I was searching for a casserole using my seasoned frozen French fries and yours was one of the first to pop up! Wow!! Absolutely delicious! My family and I loved it!! I used frozen seasoned fries, canned pinto beans, shredded Mexican cheese and frozen mixed bell peppers for the main ingredients. I’m looking forward to making it again! I love how easy it is to make and versatile the ingredients are for this casserole. So glad I found your website! Thank you ๐
Celia Borak says
Wonderful dish I used 2% milk and it turned out great everyone LOVED IT!!!!
Roxana says
That is an interesting recipe. I never tried this type of casserole before. Would like to try.
Krissy Allori says
This is a new family favorite. It’s a great comfort food that is really easy to make.
Carrie Robinson says
Oh yum! I have a feeling that my family will love this recipe! ๐
Pam says
What an awesome idea! The kids will love themn.
Joanie says
Wow! This dish was amazing! So delicious and very easy to make. Will definitely make again.
Gloria // Simply Gloria says
I am right up there with you on the french fries, girl. I would eat them every day…and I have been known to be on one of those streaks. Any kind is fine for me. And, with cheese and beans…then I’m in complete heaven!!! And, now I’m sitting here salivating at my desk.
I love your list for whats for dinner…cracks me up. Becz I’m the say way! Already pinned and making this tonight! (It’s Friday night at our house tonight becz the kids are out for Fall break- yay!)
Hope you’re having a happy Wednesday, Pamela!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
OMG!! Can anything be more decadent than this cheesy goodness? ๐
laurasmess says
Oh WOW. Pam, this is freaking amazing!!! I love chilli cheese fries but I never would’ve thought of making the dish for dinner… but the coloured peppers and ‘casserole’ moniker definitely redeem the whole thing, haha. Love the way you think. And cook. Genius, girl!!! Can I come over next time? ๐ xx
Pamela says
You are cordially invited to the next cheese fry casserole dinner! ๐
shamene@sayitwithcake says
Wow this looks delicious!! Thanks for sharing!
Tina @ Tina's Chic Corner says
Love love love french fries! Um, who doesn’t? Awesome idea to turn them into a casserole. Looks delish. ๐
Yvonne @ bitter baker says
Mm, looks dangerously delicious!
Andi @ The Weary Chef says
I love you for this, Pamela! I am also a huge fan of frozen fries. Putting them in the dinner spotlight instead of just having them on the side is pretty exciting if you ask me. Looks delicious!
Shawna says
All I can say is WOW! If that isn’t a party in the mouth. Visiting you from Wine’d Down Wednesday. Love for you to share this on our Four Seasons Blog Hop. Hope to see you there.
Kristin @ Dizzy Busy and Hungry! says
Genius idea! I am on board with anything that allows me to eat French fries as an entree. And it is a bonus that it has cheese too! YUM! Pinning!
I would love for you to come over and link up at Wine’d Down Wednesday if you get a chance. We are partying from now until Friday! Hope to see you there! http://www.dizzybusyandhungry.com/wined-wednesday-link-party-5/
Pamela says
Heading on over now Kristin! Thanks for stopping by!
Nik@ABrownTable says
I love the high octane level of cheese here, it reminds me of something I once tried in NOLA!
Samina | The Cupcake Confession says
OMG I do that too!!! Stock up stuff ’cause its on sale and then forget allll about it! This casserole is sooooo creative! And the fries and the cheese and the veggies … I’m simply LOVINGGG IT! ๐
Karen Z says
This was wonderful! I made a few changes based on what I had in the house. I used a can of evaporated milk since I had no heavy cream, and I topped the cheese with leftover taco meat with black beans and corn that I had made the night before. Added the chopped orange pepper and served with sour cream. Amazing!!
Joanne says
Mac and cheese can step over…there’s a new cheesy delicious casserole in town!!
Pamela says
Your quote just stole my heart!
Jamie | Jamie's Recipes says
For the love of all that is holy! I want this and a big giant beer. I’d need to add bacon and scallions because those are my fav with potatoes.
Pamela says
Bacon would be perfect on it!
Mr. & Mrs. P says
Delicious!! Had dinner already but we r starving now!!
Laura @ Lauras Baking Talent says
Love cheese fries and believe I would love this casserole ๐ It looks oh so delicious.
Ruby @ The Ruby Red Apron says
Can’t go wrong with cheese and fries together… YUM! Love this casserole!
Milk and Honey says
I just got back from the gym and saw this. Now nothing in the house is safe from my appetite. This dish tick all the boxes – fries and cheese… say no more.
Pamela says
Sorry! I know what you mean though, I’ll need to do a double workout for these fries!
miss messy says
Oh wowwwwww.. ultimate indulgence, I made french fry nachos the other day haa