Easy Frito Pie Casserole Recipe Has Taco Casserole Vibes (8 Ingredients, 30 Minutes) Casseroles High Protein Recipes Beef Budget Recipes Dinner

Growing up, we ate Frito pies all the time, and they came in all sorts of forms. A Frito pie was chili poured on top of Fritos with cheese and onions, a baked cheesy casserole with ground beef and Fritos, or a bag of single-serving Fritos at the ballpark cut open ladled with canned chili. I love them all! This easy Frito pie casserole recipe is a bit different because it gives off taco casserole vibes. How can you go wrong with that?

This Tex-Mex recipe has simple prep and a short ingredient list. Here is what you'll need from your fridge and pantry so you can enjoy this southern dish tonight: ground beef, onion, a packet of taco seasoning, a can of enchilada sauce, a can of beans (read about the health benefits of beans), a bag of corn chips and a Mexican blend cheese. Also grab whatever toppings you'd like for serving, from jalapenos to green onions to avocado to fresh cilantro.

Cooking Tip: You may not want to use all the corn chips for the casserole recipe. Save what you don't use for snacking later.

The corn chips stay crisp during the baking process, even with the flavorful meat and bean mixture on top. The result is a high-protein casserole that hits on all textures, from the crunchy corn chips to the creamy beans. Everyone is sure to love this Mexican-inspired casserole!

This budget-friendly casserole can be a complete dinner, or add your favorite side dishes if you'd like. I served mine with a fresh salad with homemade creamy salsa salad dressing.

Can't get enough Frito pie in your life? Try my Frito pie soup recipe.

Cuisine: American / Tex-Mex
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 ounce (1 packet) taco seasoning
• 2/3 cup water
• 10 ounces (1 can) enchilada sauce
• 15 ounces (1 can) beans, rinsed and drained (white beans, pinto beans, black beans)
• 9.25 ounces (1 bag) corn chips (divided)
• 8 ounces (2 cups) Mexican cheese blend (divided)

Optional Toppings

• avocado
• sour cream
• green onion, chopped
• fresh or pickled jalapenos
• fresh cilantro

Here's how to make it: 

1. Cook the ground beef and onion in a skillet over medium-high heat until meat is cooked through, about 3 minutes.
2. Add the taco seasoning and water. Stir. Cook about 2 minutes.
3. Add the enchilada sauce and beans. (I used white beans.)
4. Stir to combine and turn off the heat.
5. Put a layer of corn chips on the bottom of a baking dish. (I used an 11x7-inch baking dish.)
6. Sprinkle the corn chips with half of the cheese. Top with the meat mixture.
7. Bake in a preheated 350-degree F oven for 15 minutes. Take the casserole out of the oven and top with more corn chips and the remaining cheese.
8. Bake 5 minutes more.
9. Serve. Top with desired toppings.
10. Store any leftovers covered in the fridge and reheat in the microwave.

Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. Any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography.

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