Don't throw away those leftover french fries - make this leftover french fries casserole instead! Cheesy, spicy, and so delicious it's quick and easy to make, and a perfect side for chicken, beef, or another protein.
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If you've ever wondered what to do with soggy, leftover, french fries - this leftover french fries casserole is the answer. You'll love the spicy, cheesy, taste of this ultimate comfort food side!
For more leftover goodness, try my leftover mashed potato casserole.
Why you will love this recipe
- It's quick and all done in 25 minutes
- It's easy with a few super simple steps
- Use up leftovers instead of throwing them away
- The best way to use up leftover fries
- Cheesy and spicy - the perfect kind of comfort food!
What you need to make it
Ingredient notes & substitutions
- Scallions can be swapped for green onions, spring onions, or chives
- Leftover french fries can be swapped for frozen french fries or homemade french fries, just start by baking them before seasoning
- Shredded cheese: pre-shredded works great, I like a "Mexican mix" with mozzarella and cheddar cheese but any well-melting kind works.
- Hot sauce: I recommend Frank's RedHot or Cholula, but similar kinds work. Tabasco also works, but use about ⅓ of the amount.
- You can top it with bacon as well, if you like
How to make it
- Mix french fries with the spices in a baking dish
- Top with cheese
- Add hot sauce
- Bake 20 minutes, then top with sour cream and chopped scallions
Tips & tricks
- Only top what you will eat - if you're saving leftovers, keep the sour cream and scallions on the side for now
- Make a bigger batch: You can double, triple, etc. this recipe. Either use a larger pan and make it in a single layer, or layer french fries and cheese in a smaller pan.
- Prep ahead by finishing everything until baking, storing covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours, and then baking. Add a few extra minutes if baking straight from cold.
- Store leftovers in the fridge in an air tight container for up to 4 days
- Reheat leftovers in the oven for 15-20 minutes at 300℉ (150℃)
- Reheat leftovers in the microwave in 1 minute increments
- Do not freeze leftovers
Recipe FAQ
Yes! You can make this with "fresh" frozen or homemade french fries as well.
Just bake them in the pan first, then mix with seasonings and follow the recipe as written. You might be able to reduce the bake time by 5 minutes, keep an eye on it and see how it looks.
Leftover french fries can be quite boring and it's difficult to restore them to their former crispiness. One way you can do this is to reheat them in the air fryer.
But another great way to eat them is to serve them under melted cheese, like in this french fry casserole, since you will then not miss that fresh crisp in the same way.
Leftover french fries are OK for up to 4 days, if stored in the fridge in an air tight container.
More quick & easy side dish recipes
Looking for more quick & easy side dish recipes?
- Air Fryer Baby Potatoes
- Leftover Boiled Potato Casserole
- Greek Potatoes with Lemon & Feta Cheese
- Smashed Potatoes with Parmesan Cheese & Garlic
- Frozen Sweet Potato Fries in Air Fryer
Did you love this recipe? Rate it five stars!
...and let me know what you loved about it in the comments.
Recipe
Leftover French Fries Casserole
Print RateIngredients
- 4 handfuls leftover French fries
- butter for greasing the pan, skip if using non-stick
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1.5 cup shredded cheese
- 4 tablespoon hot sauce
To serve
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 scallions finely chopped, or green onions / spring onions / chives
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400℉ (200℃).
- Grease the pan, then place leftover French fries in the pan. Season with salt, chili powder and cayenne and mix well.4 handfuls leftover French fries, butter, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon chili powder, ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Top with shredded cheese, then pour over the hot sauce.1.5 cup shredded cheese, 4 tablespoon hot sauce
- Bake in the middle of the oven for 20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and golden. Top with sour cream and chopped scallions just before serving!1 cup sour cream, 2 scallions
Equipment (may contain affiliate links)
- Oven safe dish
- Measuring cups (metric or US)*
Notes
Ingredient notes & substitutions
- Leftover french fries can be swapped for frozen french fries or homemade french fries, just start by baking them before seasoning
- Shredded cheese: pre-shredded works great, I like a "Mexican mix" with cheddar and mozzarella but any well-melting kind works.
- Hot sauce: I recommend Frank's RedHot or Cholula, but similar kinds work. Tabasco also works, but use about ⅓ of the amount.
- You can top it with bacon as well, if you like
Tips & tricks
- Only top what you will eat - if you're saving leftovers, keep the sour cream and scallions on the side for now
- Make a bigger batch: You can double, triple, etc. this recipe. Either use a larger pan and make it in a single layer, or layer french fries and cheese in a smaller pan.
- Prep ahead by finishing everything until baking, storing covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours, and then baking. Add a few extra minutes if baking straight from cold.
- Store leftovers in the fridge in an air tight container for up to 4 days
- Reheat leftovers in the oven for 15-20 minutes at 300℉ (150℃)
- Reheat leftovers in the microwave in 1 minute increments
- Do not freeze leftovers
Nutrition
Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.
Cal Larson
Thank you! For the last two days I have been researching loaded fries/dirty fries/French fry casseroles and have read at least 90 recipes from USA and England. Not one recipe has interested me until yours. I can't wait to try this. I will comment again after. Key words, cheesy and spicy. A recipe even a novice can follow.
Emmeline Kemperyd
Hi Cal! Happy you found this enticing and looking forward to hearing your review once you've tried it! /Emmeline