Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (26 ounce) bag frozen, crispy french fries
- ½ pound ground beef
- kosher salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1 cup milk
- 2 ½ cups freshly grated white cheddar
- pickles, for serving
- thinly sliced jalapeños, for serving
- Thousand Island Dressing:
- 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
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Preheating the oven ensures that the fries cook evenly and crisp up properly.
- Bake the Fries: Spread the fries out on a baking sheet in a single layer. Baking the fries in a single layer prevents them from steaming and ensures they crisp up properly. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping once during cook time. Flipping the fries halfway through ensures even cooking. If your fries call for cooking longer, make sure to follow the instructions. I like the 450 degrees for extra crispiness though.
- Season the Ground Beef: Season the ground beef all over with salt and pepper. Seasoning the ground beef before cooking adds flavor and ensures it’s seasoned throughout.
- Cook the Smashburgers: While the fries cook, heat the butter in a skillet (cast iron is best for this) until melted. Cast iron skillets retain heat well and create a crispy crust on the smashburgers. Once it’s sizzling, break the ground beef into 6 even portions. Breaking the ground beef into even portions ensures that the smashburgers cook evenly. Press each one down into the butter in the skillet, using the back or a glass or jar to smash them into the skillet. Smashing the ground beef creates a thin and crispy patty. Cook until browned, then flip over and cook another 1 to 2 minutes until browned. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the ground beef is cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F. Turn off the heat.
- Make the Cheese Sauce: Heat the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour to create a roux – cook it for 2 to 3 minutes until it’s golden, fragrant and nutty. Cooking the roux until golden and fragrant adds flavor to the cheese sauce. Slowly stream in the milk while whisking the entire time. Whisking constantly prevents lumps from forming. Whisk and stir until the milk thickens, about 5 minutes. Stirring constantly prevents the milk from scorching. Turn the heat to low and stir in the cheese 1 handful at a time, stirring until melted. Adding the cheese one handful at a time ensures that it melts smoothly. Taste and season with salt and pepper if needed.
- Make the Thousand Island Dressing: Whisk everything together until combined and creamy. You can make this ahead of time and store it in the fridge!
- Assemble the Fries: Do a drizzle of cheese sauce on the fries, then top with the smashburger pieces – you can break them apart further if needed. And another drizzle of cheese all over the fries and burgers. Stick the sheet pan back in the oven for 5 to 10 minutes, until everything is warmed together and hot. Warming the fries and toppings together ensures that the cheese sauce melts and the smashburger pieces are heated through.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and drizzle with the Thousand Island dressing, top with pickles and jalapeños and anything else you love!
Notes
- Use extra crispy fries for best results.
- Smash burgers thin for crispy edges.
- Freshly grate cheese for smooth melting.
- Adjust toppings to your preference.
- Prep Time: 50 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking, Stovetop
- Cuisine: American