Frito Pie Casserole

Rich and hearty beef mixed with tomatoes, green chilies, Ranch beans, and taco seasoning, topped with crunchy Frito corn chips and gooey cheese.

4.79 from 19 votes

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Course: Ground Beef

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 40

Total Time: 50

Servings: servings

Calories: 520kcal

Author: Jennifer Stewart

3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 pounds ground beef
1 large sweet onion diced
3 cloves garlic minced
1 15oz can Ranch Style beans
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 3.5oz bags Fritos corn chips
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin
1 10oz can diced chilies & tomatoes (Rotel)
2 cups Mexican cheese shredded
1 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons sour cream
salt and pepper to taste
avocado green onions, shredded lettuce, jalapenos, cherry tomatoes (optional garnishes)

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x13 dish with nonstick spray.
Add the oil to a large skillet. Heat over medium heat and add the diced onions. Cook until until they soften and then add the ground beef.
Cook until no longer pink and drain the fat if desired.
Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant (1-2 minutes).
Add the tomato paste and cook for a few minutes.
Add the Ranch Style Beans (with the juice), diced green chilies and tomatoes (with the juice), and the broth.
Stir in the spices and continue to cook on medium-low simmer for 15 minutes.
Season with salt and pepper as preferred.
Stir in the sour cream and transfer to the prepared dish.
Top with the shredded cheese and Fritos corn chips last.
Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly and the chips are a light golden brown.
Remove from oven and top with your favorite garnishes. Serve warm.

You can easily make this ahead of time but save adding the last layer of Fritos and cheese for just before it goes in the oven. That keeps the crunch in the chips best.
If the meat is too soupy after you cook it and and the other ingredients, then drain a bit more of the liquid first. Baking the frito pie casserole tightens everything up though, so don't take out too much liquid, just a quarter or half cup at most.
Let the melted cheese on top be your guide to doneness. Since all the ingredients are cooked ahead of adding it into the casserole dish, you are just looking for the cheese to melt and slightly brown those Fritos on top.
Spraying some cooking oil on the inside of the baking dish makes clean up after serving a lot easier.

This recipe first appeared on Leftovers Then Breakfast.