This Taco Casserole is made with layers of tender ground beef, creamy beans, melted cheese, and crunchy Fritos for a Mexican-inspired meal. Then it goes in the oven until it reaches melty perfection. The whole dish has that classic, comforting feel with just a hint of spice, and 15 minutes of prep make it perfect for busy weeknights.
Foolproof Taco Bake
This Frito Taco Casserole is everything you love about tacos but in casserole form. It’s easier to eat than tacos, no drips. Instead you get gooey cheese. With all of your favorite taco fillings between layers of Fritos, you get a crunchy, gooey, flavorful casserole recipe that everyone will love.
This recipe starts with a base of refried beans, tomatoes, and cilantro. Then, you’ll add the cheese and Fritos. Finally, you’ll spread a ground beef mixture over the top, add more cheese and Fritos, cheese again, and bake! All that’s left to do is add your favorite taco toppings and enjoy.
You get a nice cheesy crunch on top and in the middle of each bite similar to a hard taco shell but you don’t have to worry about it falling apart and making a mess.
You can eat this casserole as a meal on its own or pair it with some Mexican cornbread for a complete meal!
If you love Tex-Mex Casseroles, try a chicken enchilada casserole next time. It’s great for feeding a crowd and doesn’t have beans.
Why You’ll Love Taco Casserole With Fritos
- Easy: Everything is baked into one casserole dish and takes around 15 minutes to prep, so it’s perfect for busy weeknights!
- Perfect for any occasion: Make this casserole any time of year for a crowd-pleasing dinner. Keep one in your freezer for when you come home from vacation.
- Flavorful: From the ground beef mixture to the crunchy Fritos, this dish is loaded with flavor and who doesn’t love Fritos!
Ingredients for the Best Flavor
- Ground beef layer: You’ll need some lean ground beef, onion, jalapeno, garlic, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and Rotel diced tomatoes and chilies.
- Seasonings: Grab some chili powder, dried oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Bean layer: You’ll need refried beans, fresh cilantro and a second can of tomatoes.
- Frito layer: Fritos or your favorite brand of corn chips plus a block of Colby Jack cheese.
- Toppings: Top with some green onions, black olives, and sour cream.
How to Make this Wonderful Taco Casserole Recipe
Step One: Start with the Beef
Cook the ground beef, chopped onion, and jalapeño together in a large skillet over medium heat. Once it’s almost done, toss in the garlic and spices. Then, add vinegar, brown sugar, and one can of the tomatoes and let it cook.
If using lean ground beef, you won’t need to drain it. If using an 80% mix, drain excess grease before you add the garlic and spices.
Step Two: Mix Up the Beans
In a bowl, mix together the refried beans, tomatoes, and cilantro. Spread this mixture at the bottom of a baking dish to get a nice, hearty base.
Step Three: Layer on the Good Stuff
Add a layer of cheese over the beans, then sprinkle with some Fritos.
Spoon the ground beef mixture on top, and finish it off with more shredded cheese and Fritos for that crunchy topping.
Step Four: Bake Until Bubbly
Pop the dish into the oven and bake until it’s all hot and bubbly, with the cheese melted perfectly.
Step Five: Add Final Toppings and Serve
Once out of the oven, let it cool slightly, then sprinkle with scallions, olives, and a dollop of sour cream if you’d like. Dig in while it’s warm, and enjoy!
More Toppings to Add
This recipe uses basic toppings, but feel free to get creative! Here are some great options:
- Pico de Gallo
- Guacamole
- Sliced avocado
- Red onion
- Salsa
- Shredded lettuce
- Hot sauce
Pro Tip: Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that prevent it from fully melting, so shred your own cheese so it gets super melty!
Make This Casserole Your Own
- Ground beef: You can swap the beef with ground turkey or ground chicken.
- Colby Jack cheese: Swap with Mexican blend cheese, cheddar cheese, or any other type of cheese you like.
- Bean layer: Instead of refried beans, you can use black beans.
- Toppings: You can adjust the toppings and make them spicier by adding sliced jalapenos or using pepper jack cheese or spicy Rotel tomatoes.
- Seasonings: Instead of chili powder and oregano, you can use store-bought or homemade taco seasoning.
How to Store
Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Reheat leftovers in the microwave. The Fritos will soften after a day or so, but it still tastes great, you just don’t have the crunch.
If Freezing, cover in two layers of plastic wrap before you bake it and freeze. Let it come to room temperature before baking. The Fritos will stay crisp when frozen.
If you loved this recipe, give it a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating! Also, snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #butterandbaggage and tagging me @butterandbaggage.
Easy Taco Casserole with Fritos
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 onion chopped, about 1 cup
- ½ jalapeno seeds removed, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 2 (10 ounce) cans Rotel diced Tomatoes and Chilies divided
- 1 (16 ounce) can refried beans
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro chopped
- 8 ounces Colby Jack cheese shredded, 2 cups, divided
- 2 cups Frito corn chips divided
- 2 scallions chopped
- 1 (2.25 ounce) can 2.25 ounce can sliced black olives
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375º.
- Add ground beef, chopped onions, and jalapeno to a large skillet and cook over medium heat until the onions have softened and the beef is almost cooked through. Add garlic, chili powder, oregano, salt and pepper and cook an additional minute. Add vinegar, brown sugar and 1 can of tomatoes and stir to combine. Add additional salt as needed.
- In a medium bowl, combine the refried beans, 1 can of tomatoes and chopped cilantro. Mix until combined and spread on the bottom of a 9 x 13 baking dish.
- Add ½ cup cheese to the top of the beans, then sprinkle with 1 cup of the Fritos. Add the beef mixture then sprinkle with ½ cup of cheese and the rest of the Fritos. Top the remaining cheese. Bake until the cheese has melted and the mixture is bubbly on the sides. Remove and let rest for a few minutes. Then sprinkle with scallions and black olives. Serve with a spoon full of sour cream and your favorite toppings.
Barbara’s Tips + Notes
- You could substitute broken up taco shells for the Fritos.
- You can make it spicier by adding more jalapeños or using Pepper Jack Cheese.
- You could use taco seasoning instead of the chili powder and oregano.
Nutrition
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Tammy Bents says
Great casserole! We love black olives, so I chopped them and added half to the refried bean mixture and half to the meat mixture. Sour cream on too made this a winner!
Barbara Curry says
So glad it was a hit and black olives are a great addition!
Bonnie says
Hi Barbara,
Can this casserole be frozen after it’s baked? Thank you
Barbara Curry says
Yes, the Fritos will stiff be crunchy.
LEE DEVLIN says
BEST I HAVE EVER MADE. LOVE THE EXTRA CHANGES YOU HAVE ADDED. THANK YOU.
Barbara Curry says
That’s wonderful, I’m glad you liked it, and thanks so much for the review!