There is something mighty comforting about a simple slow cooker supper that turns a bag of freezer staples into a hot, hearty meal by dinnertime. This Amish-style summer fry-bake leans on the thrifty, practical cooking so many rural Midwestern kitchens are known for, where potatoes, ground beef, and a creamy soup could stretch to feed a table full of hungry folks. Using frozen seasoned curly fries gives this version an easy shortcut and a little extra flavor, making it just the sort of no-fuss family dish worth keeping in your back pocket on busy days.
This fry-bake is filling enough to stand on its own, but it goes especially well with a bowl of buttered green beans, sweet corn, or a simple cucumber salad from the garden. If you want to round it out for company, serve it with sliced tomatoes, dinner rolls, or applesauce on the side, and a big glass of iced tea fits right in with the homestyle spirit of the meal.
4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Amish Summer Fry-Bake
Servings: 6
Ingredients
1 (26 to 32 ounce) bag frozen seasoned curly fries
1 pound ground beef
1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Directions
1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it up with a spoon, until fully cooked. Drain off any excess grease.
2. Spread half of the frozen seasoned curly fries in the bottom of the slow cooker. Top with half of the cooked ground beef, then spoon over half of the condensed cream of mushroom soup. Repeat the layers with the remaining fries, beef, and soup.
3. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours, until the fries are tender and the casserole is hot through.
4. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top, cover again, and cook for 10 to 15 minutes more, just until the cheese is melted. Spoon onto plates and serve hot.
Variations & Tips
Swap the soup: Cream of chicken or cream of celery works nicely here if that is what you have in the pantry. Each one gives the dish a slightly different old-fashioned supper-table flavor.
Add an onion: If you do not mind stepping beyond the four-ingredient version, cook a chopped onion with the ground beef. It adds sweetness and a little more savoriness that tastes especially good with the seasoned fries.
Make it extra cheesy: For folks who like a richer bake, use 1 1/2 to 2 cups of cheddar cheese and stir a small handful into the middle layer as well as on top. That way every serving gets a bit of that melty goodness.
Keep the texture in mind: Slow cooker fry-bake is soft and comforting rather than crisp, much like a casserole. If you prefer more texture, serve it as soon as the cheese melts and avoid overcooking.
Try a different meat: Ground turkey can be used in place of beef for a lighter version. Be sure to season it well, since the curly fries do a good deal of the flavoring work in this recipe.