Smiley Face Casserole

1. Preheat the oven and bake the fries according to package directions. Remove from the oven and set aside.

2. While the fries are cooking, heat the oil in a large Dutch oven or saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, about 5 minutes.

3. Add the meat, carrot, garlic powder, and pepper and cook, breaking up the large pieces, until the meat is no longer pink and the carrot is tender, about 5 minutes. Drain excess fat and season with salt and additional pepper to taste.

4. Stir in the soup, milk, and 1½, cups of the cheese (the mixture will seem very thin at this point, but don’t worry). Heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture comes to a simmer. Remove from the heat.

5. Set the oven to 425°F. Arrange half the cooked fries in a 9 x 13-inch baking pan or dish. Top with the meat mixture, the remaining ½, cup of cheese, and the remaining potato smiles. Cover loosely with aluminum foil and bake until the mixture is bubbly, about 10 minutes.

Notes:

1. If you can’t find smiley-face potato fries, use waffle, alphabet or another fun-shaped fry.

2. Mom’s Feedback: "My middle child loved the potatoes the most, but he ate the whole thing... and there were no complaints about the added veggies." -Karen, mother of Steven, age 7, Michael, age 11 and Rebecca, age 15. Dublin, CA