Description
Mexican-inspired easy taco casserole with Fritos combines hearty ground beef, zesty seasonings, and crunchy corn chips. Layers of melted cheese and tangy toppings create a satisfying meal you’ll crave for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
Vegetables and Beans:
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 can (14.5 ounces / 411 grams) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) black beans (drained and rinsed)
Toppings and Extras:
- 2 cups (226 grams) cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 2 cups (60 grams) Fritos corn chips
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) sour cream
- 1/4 cup (25 grams) green onions (chopped)
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) salsa
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350F (175C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Brown ground beef in a large skillet, incorporating diced onions and minced garlic until meat is fully cooked. Eliminate excess grease through careful draining.
- Incorporate taco seasoning, diced tomatoes, and black beans into the meat mixture. Allow ingredients to meld and simmer for approximately 5 minutes, developing rich flavor profiles.
- Create a crunchy foundation in the baking dish by evenly distributing half of the Fritos across the bottom surface.
- Layer the seasoned beef mixture directly over the Fritos, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheese across the beef layer, creating a melty, appetizing topping.
- Transfer the casserole to the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling layer.
- Extract the casserole from the oven and crown with remaining Fritos, adding an extra crispy texture.
- Accompany the dish with complementary garnishes including sour cream, chopped green onions, and zesty salsa for enhanced enjoyment.
Notes
- Substitute ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian version of the casserole.
- Experiment with different types of cheese like pepper jack or Mexican blend to add extra flavor complexity.
- Crush Fritos slightly before layering to create a more even and crispy texture throughout the dish.
- Make this recipe gluten-free by using certified gluten-free Fritos and checking taco seasoning ingredients.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg