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    Home » Side dishes

    Leftover French Fries Casserole

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on April 9, 2023, updated October 30, 2023 - 2 Comments

    Total time: 25 minutes minutes
    Prep time: 5 minutes minutes
    5 from 4 votes
    Jump to Recipe
    Leftover french fries casserole topped with sour cream.

    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.

    Leftover french fries casserole topped with sour cream.
    Jump to:
    • Why you will love this recipe
    • What you need to make it
    • How to make it
    • Tips & tricks
    • Recipe FAQ
    • More quick & easy side dish recipes
    • Recipe
    • Reviews

    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!

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    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

    Ingredients needed to make leftover french fries casserole.

    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 â…“ of the amount.
    • You can top it with bacon as well, if you like

    How to make it

    Collage showing how to make leftover french fries casserole.
    1. Mix french fries with the spices in a baking dish
    2. Top with cheese
    3. Add hot sauce
    4. 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
    Leftover french fries casserole topped with sour cream.

    Recipe FAQ

    Can I make this without leftover french fries?

    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.

    What to do with leftover french fries?

    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.

    How long do leftover french fries last?

    Leftover french fries are OK for up to 4 days, if stored in the fridge in an air tight container.

    Leftover french fries casserole topped with sour cream.

    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 topped with sour cream.

    Leftover French Fries Casserole

    5 from 4 votes
    Print Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: North American
    Diet: Vegetarian
    Servings: 2
    Calories: 493kcal
    Prep time: 5 minutes mins
    Cook time: 20 minutes mins
    Total time: 25 minutes minutes
    Author: Emmeline Kemperyd
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 4 handfuls leftover French fries
    • butter for greasing the pan, skip if using non-stick
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon chili powder
    • â…› 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
    US Customary - Metric

    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 spoons*
    • Measuring cups (metric or US)*
    • Kitchen knife*
    • Chopping board*

    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 â…“ 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

    Calories: 493kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 134mg | Sodium: 1851mg | Potassium: 299mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1646IU | Vitamin C: 23mg | Calcium: 553mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.

    Did you make this? Tag me today!Tag @alwaysusebutter and use the hashtag #alwaysusebutter!

    More Side Dish Recipes

    • Buffalo mac and cheese.
      Buffalo Mac and Cheese
    • Sour cream mashed potatoes.
      Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes
    • Gorgonzola mac and cheese.
      Gorgonzola Mac and Cheese (Dump-and-Bake!)
    • Ranch coleslaw.
      Ranch Coleslaw

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Cal Larson

      June 08, 2023 at 12:45 am

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
      • Emmeline Kemperyd

        June 08, 2023 at 7:03 am

        Hi Cal! Happy you found this enticing and looking forward to hearing your review once you've tried it! /Emmeline

        Reply
    5 from 4 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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