Description
Mexican-inspired easy taco casserole with Fritos delivers hearty comfort on a plate. Layers of seasoned beef, cheese, and crunchy corn chips create a satisfying meal you will devour with delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
Dairy:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5 ounces) can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives (optional)
- 2 green onions, chopped (optional)
Crunchy Topping:
- 2 cups Fritos corn chips
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 350°F (175°C), creating an ideal baking environment.
- In a skillet, cook ground beef with diced onions and minced garlic, thoroughly rendering out excess fat through careful draining.
- Incorporate taco seasoning and salsa into the meat mixture, allowing flavors to meld and intensify during a 5-minute simmering process.
- Create the first foundational layer in a baking dish by spreading a generous base of crunchy Fritos.
- Distribute the seasoned beef mixture evenly across the Fritos, ensuring complete coverage.
- Sprinkle a substantial amount of shredded cheese over the meat layer, creating a rich and melty topping.
- Repeat the layering process with additional Fritos, meat, and a final abundant cheese layer to maximize flavor and texture.
- Transfer the assembled casserole to the preheated oven, baking for 20-25 minutes until the cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling surface.
- Once removed from the oven, optionally embellish with dollops of cool sour cream, fresh diced tomatoes, sliced black olives, and chopped green onions for added vibrancy and complexity.
Notes
- Customize heat levels by selecting mild, medium, or spicy taco seasoning to match personal preference.
- Replace ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian version.
- Crush Fritos slightly before layering to help them integrate better with the meat and create a more cohesive texture.
- Prepare casserole ahead of time and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve for maximum convenience.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 540 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg