Description
Hearty Frito taco casserole delivers a crowd-pleasing Mexican-inspired comfort meal packed with bold flavors. Ground beef, cheese, and crunchy corn chips create a satisfying dinner perfect for family gatherings and weeknight meals you’ll crave again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 3 cups (240 g) Fritos corn chips
- 2 cups (226 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (250 ml) salsa
- 1 can (15 oz/425 g) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (8 oz/226 g) corn, drained
- 1/2 cup (75 g) diced onions
- 1/2 cup (75 g) diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup (40 g) sliced black olives (optional)
- 1/4 cup (15 g) chopped cilantro (for garnish)
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350F (175C) to prepare for the casserole assembly.
- Heat a skillet over medium temperature and thoroughly cook the ground beef until no pink remains, carefully draining any accumulated fat.
- Incorporate taco seasoning into the beef, then mix in salsa, black beans, corn, and onions, allowing the ingredients to simmer and blend flavors for approximately 5 minutes.
- Create the first layer of the casserole by spreading half of the Fritos across the bottom of the baking dish.
- Evenly distribute the seasoned beef mixture directly over the initial Fritos layer, ensuring complete coverage.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheese across the beef, then add the remaining Fritos on top for extra crunch.
- Scatter diced tomatoes and black olives over the cheese layer to enhance visual appeal and flavor profile.
- Transfer the casserole to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling surface.
- After removing from the oven, garnish with freshly chopped cilantro for a vibrant finishing touch.
- Serve immediately while the casserole remains hot and cheese is perfectly melted.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter, healthier alternative that still packs amazing flavor.
- Crush Fritos slightly before layering to create a more even, crispy texture throughout the casserole.
- Customize heat levels by choosing mild, medium, or spicy salsa and adding jalapeños for extra kick.
- Prepare this dish ahead of time by assembling everything except the final Fritos topping, then refrigerate and add crunchy chips right before baking to maintain their crisp texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 710 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg