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Ultimate Easy Baked Frito Pie Casserole: A Quick Weeknight Comfort Meal

A close-up serving of baked Frito Pie casserole topped with melted cheddar cheese, ground beef, and corn.
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Create this satisfying Frito Pie casserole for a quick weeknight dinner or game day snack. This simple recipe layers seasoned ground beef chili, beans, and cheese, topped with crunchy corn chips for a hearty Tex-Mex experience.

Ingredients

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  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
  • 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning mix
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1 (9.25 ounce) bag Fritos corn chips
  • Optional toppings: sour cream, sliced jalapeños, chopped green onions

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until fully browned. Drain off any excess grease.
  4. Stir in the rinsed black beans, diced tomatoes with green chilies, tomato sauce, taco seasoning, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Add the water.
  5. Bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to combine.
  6. Remove the chili mixture from the heat. Gently stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese until melted.
  7. Spread half of the Fritos corn chips evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
  8. Spoon the chili mixture over the layer of Fritos.
  9. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese over the chili layer.
  10. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  11. Remove the casserole from the oven. Top with the remaining Fritos corn chips just before serving to keep them crunchy.
  12. Serve immediately with your choice of toppings.

Notes

  • For a less soggy texture, reserve most of the Fritos for topping after baking.
  • If you prefer a spicier dish, add a dash of hot sauce to the chili base.
  • This recipe works well as a budget friendly frito pie using pantry staples.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.unfoldrecipes.com/easy-baked-frito-pie-casserole-recipe/