Cheeseburger French Fry Casserole

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs ground beef (80/20 blend for flavor)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese)
• 3 cups frozen French fries (crinkle-cut or straight-cut work best)
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1 tablespoon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional, for extra cheesiness)

Instructions

1. Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) and greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish. This will prevent the casserole from sticking to the pan and make cleanup easier.
2. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Brown the beef for 6-8 minutes, until it is fully cooked and no longer pink. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
3. Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the cooked beef and sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until the onion becomes soft and translucent. The garlic should be fragrant but not browned, as overcooking it can make it bitter.
4. Stir in the ketchup, mustard, salt, and black pepper. The ketchup and mustard will give the beef mixture a tangy, savory flavor that mimics the taste of a cheeseburger. Let the mixture simmer for a few minutes to combine the flavors. Once done, remove the skillet from the heat.