Description
Frito Pie Casserole is a hearty, flavorful baked dish that layers seasoned ground beef, beans, corn, salsa, and crunchy Fritos corn chips, topped with melted cheese and your favorite taco toppings. This comforting casserole is perfect for a family dinner or casual gatherings, delivering all the bold Mexican-inspired flavors in an easy one-dish meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, peeled and diced
Seasonings and Mix-ins
- 1 package taco seasoning mix
- 1 cup salsa
- 15 ounces kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 15 ounces cream style corn
Chips and Cheese
- 9 oz. bag Fritos corn chips, divided
- 2 cups shredded cheese, divided (cheddar or Mexican blend recommended)
Optional Taco Toppings
- Green onion, chopped
- Cilantro, chopped
- Sliced black olives
- Diced tomato
- Dollop of sour cream
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350ºF. Spray a 9×13-inch glass baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
- Cook Beef and Onions: In a large skillet, crumble the ground beef and add the diced onions. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring often, until the beef is fully browned and the onions are tender. Drain off any excess fat if desired to reduce greasiness.
- Add Seasonings and Simmer: Stir in the taco seasoning mix and cream style corn until well combined. Then add the salsa and kidney beans. Stir everything together, bring the mixture to a simmer, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently to blend the flavors.
- Assemble Casserole Layers: Pour half of the Fritos corn chips evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheese over the chips. Spread the meat mixture evenly on top. Add the remaining corn chips over the meat, then top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese.
- Bake: Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.
- Finish and Serve: Allow the casserole to cool slightly before serving. Garnish with chopped cilantro, sliced green onions, diced tomatoes, olives, and a dollop of sour cream or additional salsa as desired for extra flavor and freshness.
Notes
- If you don’t have ground beef or kidney beans on hand, substitute with canned chili and proceed with the rest of the recipe as directed for a quick alternative.
- To reduce sodium, omit the chips and cheese layer at the bottom of the casserole dish.
- For a fun twist, serve walking tacos by scooping the warmed casserole into individual bags of Frito corn chips. Kids especially enjoy this as a personalized snack at sleepovers or parties.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole (approx. 1 cup)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
