Smashburger Fries with Cheddar Cheese Sauce and Pickles Recipe

Introduction

Smashburger Fries combine crispy baked fries with juicy smashed beef patties and a rich cheddar cheese sauce for an indulgent snack or meal. Topped with tangy pickles, spicy jalapeños, and a creamy homemade thousand island dressing, this dish is a flavorful crowd-pleaser that’s easy to assemble.

Ingredients

• 1 (26 ounce) bag frozen, crispy french fries
• ½ pound ground beef
• Kosher salt and pepper
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup milk
• 2 ½ cups freshly grated white cheddar
• Pickles (whole or diced, for serving)
• Thinly sliced jalapeños (for serving)
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 2 tablespoons dill relish
• 2 tablespoons freshly grated onion
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Spread the frozen fries out on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping once halfway through. Follow the package instructions if they recommend a longer cook time for extra crispiness.
2. Step 2: Season the ground beef generously with kosher salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium-high heat until sizzling. Divide the beef into 6 even portions and smash each portion flat in the skillet using the back of a glass or spatula. Cook until browned on one side, then flip and cook an additional 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
3. Step 3: To make the cheese sauce, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until it turns golden and fragrant. Slowly whisk in the milk and continue whisking until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes. Lower the heat and stir in the grated cheddar cheese a handful at a time until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Step 4: Drizzle some cheese sauce over the baked fries on the sheet pan, then top with the smashed beef patties. Add another drizzle of cheese sauce across everything. Return the pan to the oven for 5 to 10 minutes until everything is hot and well combined.
5. Step 5: Remove the fries from the oven and drizzle with the homemade thousand island dressing. Top with pickles, sliced jalapeños, and any additional toppings you prefer.
6. Step 6: To make the thousand island dressing, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, dill relish, freshly grated onion, honey, apple cider vinegar, and smoked paprika until smooth and creamy. This can be made ahead and stored in the fridge.

Tips & Variations

• Use a cast iron skillet to get a better sear on the smashed beef patties for extra flavor.
• For a spicier twist, add extra jalapeños or swap smoked paprika with cayenne pepper in the dressing.
• Substitute white cheddar with sharp cheddar or a cheese blend for a different flavor profile.
• Make the thousand island dressing a day ahead to allow the flavors to meld perfectly.

Storage

Store leftover smashburger fries and dressing separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat fries and burgers in the oven at 350 degrees F until warmed through to preserve crispiness. Avoid microwaving fries to maintain texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh fries instead of frozen?

Yes, you can use fresh-cut fries, but make sure to bake or fry them until thoroughly crispy before assembling the dish for the best texture.

Is there a vegetarian version of this recipe?

To make a vegetarian version, replace the ground beef with plant-based burger patties or seasoned crumbled mushrooms and follow the same steps for smashing and cooking.

Smashburger Fries with Cheddar Cheese Sauce and Pickles Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 429 reviews

• Author: Sophie
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

Smashburger Fries combine crispy oven-baked french fries topped with flavorful smashed ground beef patties and a rich, creamy cheddar cheese sauce. Finished with a tangy homemade thousand island drizzle, pickles, and jalapeños, this indulgent skillet dish is a perfect comfort food that’s easy to prepare for any casual meal or gathering.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Fries & Beef

• 1 (26 ounce) bag frozen, crispy french fries
• ½ pound ground beef
• Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons butter (for cooking beef)

Cheese Sauce

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons butter (for roux)
• 1 cup milk
• 2 ½ cups freshly grated white cheddar cheese
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Thousand Island Sauce

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 2 tablespoons dill relish
• 2 tablespoons freshly grated onion
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika

Toppings

• Pickles (whole or diced), for serving
• Thinly sliced jalapeños, for serving

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Instructions

1. Preheat and Bake Fries: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Spread the frozen fries out evenly on a baking sheet and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, turning them once about halfway through cooking to ensure even crispiness. Follow the package instructions if longer cooking is needed, but 450°F gives an extra crispy texture.
2. Prepare and Smash Beef Patties: Season the ground beef generously with kosher salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium heat until sizzling. Divide the beef into 6 even portions and place each in the skillet. Using the back of a glass or jar, firmly smash each portion into a thin patty. Cook until the edges brown and crisp up, then flip and cook another 1 to 2 minutes. Turn off the heat once done.
3. Make the Cheese Sauce: In a separate saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook the roux for 2 to 3 minutes until golden and fragrant. Slowly stream in the milk while whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Continue stirring until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low and stir in the grated white cheddar cheese in batches until fully melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Assemble the Dish: On the baking sheet with fries, drizzle a layer of cheese sauce. Arrange the smashed beef patties on top, breaking them into smaller pieces if desired. Drizzle another generous amount of cheese sauce over the fries and beef. Return the sheet pan to the oven and bake for another 5 to 10 minutes until everything is hot and melded together.
5. Prepare the Thousand Island Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, dill relish, freshly grated onion, honey, apple cider vinegar, and smoked paprika until smooth and creamy. This sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated.
6. Finish and Serve: Remove the pan from the oven. Drizzle the thousand island sauce over the loaded fries and smashed burgers. Top with pickles and thinly sliced jalapeños or any other desired toppings. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.

Notes

• For extra crispy fries, use a cast iron skillet for the smashed burgers as it holds and distributes heat evenly.
• If you prefer a spicier dish, add more jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the thousand island dressing.
• This dish can be customized by swapping white cheddar for your favorite cheese variety.
• The thousand island sauce can be prepared a day ahead to save time.
• Use fresh or frozen pickles depending on what you have available.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: smashburger fries, crispy fries, cheesy fries, smashed beef patties, cheddar cheese sauce, homemade thousand island, comfort food, baked fries