Description
This Frito Pie Casserole is the king of big, bold flavor with minimal fuss. This fun, hearty, and incredibly satisfying dish turns the classic “walking taco” into a crowd-pleasing casserole. It features a quick and flavorful chili base of ground beef and beans, layered with melty cheese and the unmistakable crunch of Fritos corn chips.
Ingredients
1 pound lean ground beef
1 yellow onion, finely diced
1 packet taco seasoning
½ cup water
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with chilies (such as Rotel), undrained
1 ½ cups tomato sauce
1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
1 (15 ounce) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 (9.25 ounce) bag Fritos® corn chips, divided
2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend, divided
Sour cream for serving (optional)
Instructions
Prepare the Chili Base:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and diced onion over medium-high heat until the beef is browned and the onion has softened. Drain off any excess grease.
Simmer the Flavors:
Stir in the taco seasoning, water, and chili powder, and simmer for a few minutes until thickened. Add the undrained diced tomatoes with chilies, tomato sauce, corn, and kidney beans. Stir and simmer for another 5 minutes.
Assemble the Casserole:
Spread about half of the bag of Fritos in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the shredded cheese. Pour the beef and chili mixture evenly over the top. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of cheese.
Bake and Serve:
Bake for 20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Right before serving, top the casserole with the remaining Fritos to ensure they stay crunchy. Serve hot, with sour cream if desired.
Notes
Perfect Crunch Tip:
For the ideal texture, use Fritos in two layers. The bottom layer softens slightly under the chili, while the top layer, added after baking, provides the signature crunch.
Topping Ideas:
The sky’s the limit for toppings. Try adding sliced jalapeños, diced avocado, chopped cilantro, or green onions for extra flavor and freshness.
Make-Ahead Option:
You can prepare the chili mixture up to 2 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. When ready to eat, assemble the casserole with the Fritos and cheese and bake as directed.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Main Course, Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 608
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: frito pie, casserole, weeknight dinner, ground beef recipe, comfort food, walking taco, easy family meal