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A cheesy spoon full of taco casserole with Fritos.

Easy Taco Casserole with Fritos

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.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

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 Notes + Tips
  • 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

Calories: 326kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 656mg | Potassium: 348mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 954IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 248mg | Iron: 2mg