Making a classic cheeseburger combo meal at home is surprisingly easy. This recipe delivers a juicy burger, crispy golden fries, and a creamy milkshake, perfect for satisfying your comfort food cravings.
Let’s start with the fries. Peel about eight russet potatoes, square them off, and slice into approximately quarter-inch fries. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add the potatoes along with 1 tablespoon of vinegar per quart of water. This trick helps the fries maintain their shape. Boil for about five minutes, until tender but still firm. Remove the potatoes with a mesh spider and place them on a paper towel-lined baking sheet to dry.
Preparing fries for the cheeseburger combo meal
Drain the water, dry the pot, and add about two inches of your preferred frying oil. Heat the oil to 400°F. Prepare another paper towel-lined baking sheet. Divide the fries into three batches and fry each for just 50 seconds. This initial fry creates a wonderfully crisp exterior. Set the fries aside to cool.
Next, prepare the burger sauce. Combine equal parts mustard, ketchup, and relish. Finely dice a small red onion and add it to the bowl. Season with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and a pinch of smoked ghost pepper powder (or cayenne pepper). Mix well.
Burger sauce ingredients for the homemade combo meal
Slice a large bun into three sections – top, middle, and bottom. Prepare your toppings: lettuce, Kraft Singles (for melt), smoked gouda (for flavor), and pickled onions.
For the patties, shape one pound of 90/10 ground beef into four equal balls. Refrigerate until ready to cook.
Make the milkshake. In a food processor or blender, combine two cups of vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup. Pulse and gradually add milk until the desired consistency is reached. Pour into a glass and freeze until the burger and fries are ready.
Making a milkshake for the homemade cheeseburger combo meal
Heat a cast iron skillet over high heat. Season the beef balls with salt, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Place a meatball on the hot skillet and smash it flat. Cook for 45-60 seconds per side. Add cheese to the patty during the second flip. Toast the buns while the patties cook.
Fry the cooled fries in the 400°F oil until golden brown and floating, about three minutes. Drain and season with salt.
Cooking the smashed burger patties on a cast iron skillet
Assemble the burger: bottom bun, burger sauce, pickled onions, patty, lettuce, middle bun with sauce on both sides, pickled onions, patty, lettuce, and top bun.
Retrieve the milkshake from the freezer and stir. Top with whipped cream.
The fully assembled double cheeseburger with all the toppings
Your homemade cheeseburger combo meal is complete! Enjoy the juicy burger, crispy fries, and thick milkshake.
