Description
Spicy easy taco casserole with Frito chips brings Mexican-inspired comfort to dinner tables. Hearty layers of seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and crunchy corn chips create a crowd-pleasing meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef
- 1 (15 oz/425g) can of corn, drained
- 1 (10 oz/300g) can of Rotel (diced tomatoes and green chilies), drained
- 1 packet (1 oz/28g) taco seasoning mix
- ¼ cup (60ml) water
- 1 cup (240ml) sour cream
- 2 cups (200g) shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese, divided
- 4 cups (120g) Fritos corn chips
- diced tomatoes
- shredded lettuce
- sliced jalapenos
- green onions
- salsa
- guacamole
Instructions
- Meat Preparation: Sizzle ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until thoroughly browned and caramelized, then drain excess fat and infuse with taco seasoning and liquid, simmering until sauce thickens and clings to meat.
- Casserole Assembly: Layer seasoned beef evenly in a baking dish, creating a robust foundation for the dish.
- Crunchy Topping Application: Crush Fritos and spread uniformly across meat layer, ensuring complete coverage for maximum crunch.
- Cheese Enhancement: Sprinkle shredded cheese generously over Fritos, guaranteeing comprehensive melt and golden coverage.
- Baking Process: Slide casserole into a preheated oven and bake until cheese becomes effervescent and edges turn golden brown, typically 15-20 minutes at 375°F.
- Serving Presentation: Allow casserole to rest for 5 minutes after removing from oven, then embellish with optional garnishes like diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, or fresh cilantro to elevate visual appeal and flavor complexity.
Notes
- Drain Meat Thoroughly: Remove maximum fat to prevent a greasy, soggy casserole and ensure a crisp, appetizing texture.
- Select Lean Ground Beef: Choose 85% or 90% lean meat to reduce excess oil while maintaining rich, meaty flavor without compromising moisture.
- Customize Spice Levels: Adjust taco seasoning intensity by using mild, medium, or hot blends to match personal heat preferences and dietary needs.
- Optimize Frito Crunch: Crush Fritos just before topping to maintain maximum crispness and prevent premature sogginess during baking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 70mg