Description
Creamy easy taco casserole with Fritos brings Mexican-inspired comfort to dinner tables. Layers of seasoned ground beef, cheese, and crunchy corn chips create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1 cup (200 g) shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- 1 cup (240 ml) sour cream
- 1 packet (28 g/1 oz) taco seasoning mix
- 1 can (425 g/15 oz) corn, drained
- 1 can (300 g/10 oz) Rotel (diced tomatoes and green chilies), drained
- ¼ cup (60 ml) water
- 4 cups (120 g) Fritos corn chips
- diced tomatoes
- shredded lettuce
- sliced jalapenos
- green onions
- salsa
- guacamole
Instructions
- Meat Preparation: Crumble ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, cooking until completely browned without any pink remnants, then drain excess grease and integrate taco seasoning with water, simmering until the mixture thickens to a robust consistency.
- Casserole Foundation: Preheat oven to 375°F and lightly spray a baking dish, then create a crunchy base by layering crushed Fritos across the bottom, ensuring complete coverage.
- Layer Assembly: Spread the seasoned beef uniformly over the Fritos, then generously distribute shredded cheese to create a melting layer, followed by an even spread of diced tomatoes for a fresh dimension.
- Crispy Topping: Scatter additional crushed Fritos across the surface to enhance textural contrast and provide a golden, crunchy exterior.
- Baking Process: Bake the casserole for 15-20 minutes until cheese melts completely and edges transform to a rich golden brown, then allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes, enabling flavors to harmonize.
- Serving Suggestion: Elevate the dish with optional garnishes like sour cream, fresh cilantro, or sliced jalapeños to introduce additional flavor complexity and visual appeal.
Notes
- Manage Beef Moisture: Drain excess fat thoroughly after browning to prevent a greasy casserole and ensure a cleaner, more concentrated meat flavor.
- Customize Spice Levels: Adjust taco seasoning quantity based on personal heat preference, allowing for a milder or spicier dish that suits individual tastes.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Use a blend of cheeses like cheddar and monterey jack for better melting and a more complex, rich flavor profile.
- Textural Balance: Crush Fritos just before layering to maintain maximum crunch and prevent soggy bottom layers, preserving the casserole’s signature crispy texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 475
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg