Description
Hearty Mexican-inspired Easy Taco Casserole with Fritos delivers bold southwestern flavors in one satisfying dish. Layers of seasoned ground beef, crispy corn chips, and melted cheese create a quick weeknight dinner perfect for hungry families craving comfort food.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
Vegetables and Beans:
- 1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 cup corn
Toppings and Seasonings:
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 3 cups Fritos corn chips
- 1 cup sour cream
- Green onions or cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350F (175C) to create the perfect cooking environment for the casserole.
- Heat a skillet over medium flame and thoroughly cook the ground beef, ensuring it’s completely browned and crumbled.
- Eliminate excess grease from the meat by carefully draining the fat.
- Introduce taco seasoning, black beans, diced tomatoes, and corn to the skillet, allowing the ingredients to meld together and simmer for 5-7 minutes.
- Create the first layer in a baking dish by spreading half of the Fritos across the bottom, providing a crunchy foundation.
- Evenly distribute the seasoned beef mixture over the Fritos, ensuring complete coverage.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheese across the top, creating a melty, golden surface.
- Transfer the casserole to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese transforms into a bubbly, golden blanket.
- Carefully remove the casserole from the oven and add the remaining Fritos for extra crunch.
- Dollop sour cream across the top and add any desired garnishes for a final touch of flavor and visual appeal.
- Serve immediately while hot and enjoy the layers of textures and flavors.
Notes
- Swap ground beef for lean turkey or plant-based crumbles to create a lighter, healthier version of this casserole.
- Crush Fritos slightly before layering to help them absorb more flavor and create a more integrated texture.
- Add extra heat by mixing in diced jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce into the beef mixture for spice lovers.
- Prep this dish ahead of time by assembling everything except the final Fritos topping, then refrigerate and bake when ready to serve.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 642 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 930 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg