Description

Frito Pie Casserole is a hearty, comforting dish with ground beef, taco seasoning, and a crispy Frito topping. It’s packed with flavor and perfect for any occasion, from tailgates to family gatherings.

Ingredients

1 pound ground chuck

1 cup chopped yellow onion

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 ¼ cups low-sodium chicken stock

1 (15 oz) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained

1 (15 oz) can sweet whole kernel corn, drained

1 (1 oz) envelope taco seasoning mix

1 chipotle chile pepper in adobo sauce, finely chopped, plus 1 tablespoon adobo sauce

8 oz sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded, divided

2½ cups corn chips (such as Fritos)

Sliced scallions, for garnish

Sour cream, guacamole, and salsa, for serving

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Cook the ground beef: In a large skillet, cook the ground chuck over medium-high heat, stirring and breaking it into pieces until browned, about 5–7 minutes.
Add vegetables: Stir in the chopped onion and green bell pepper, cooking for another 4 minutes until softened.
Make the filling: Stir in the chicken stock, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, corn, taco seasoning, chipotle chile, and adobo sauce. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 7–10 minutes, until the mixture thickens.
Add cheese: Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of the shredded Cheddar cheese.
Assemble the casserole: Transfer the beef mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with the remaining Cheddar cheese and sprinkle with corn chips.
Bake: Bake in the oven for 18–20 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbling and the cheese is melted and browned.
Cool and serve: Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with sliced scallions and serve with sour cream, guacamole, and salsa.

Notes

For a vegetarian version, replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or extra beans.

Use a combination of cheeses like Monterey Jack for added creaminess.

For more heat, increase chipotle peppers or add jalapeños.

If you don’t have corn chips, tortilla chips work well as a substitute.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 490
Sugar: 7g
Sodium: 650mg
Fat: 24g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 42g
Fiber: 6g
Protein: 25g
Cholesterol: 50mg