Description
Hearty comfort meets Texan charm in this classic frito pie, a soulful symphony of crunchy corn chips nestled beneath a blanket of spicy ground beef and melted cheese. Fiery flavors and simple ingredients promise a delightful bite you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Protein:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef
Vegetables and Beans:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, smashed and sliced
- 1 cup corn
- 1 cup black beans
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
Seasonings and Sauces:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 cup red enchilada sauce
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 bag Fritos
- 3 cups shredded cheese
Instructions
- Brown ground beef thoroughly in a skillet over medium heat until no pink remains, then transfer to a separate plate.
- Heat olive oil in the same skillet and sauté diced onions until they become translucent, then add minced garlic and cook briefly.
- Reintroduce the ground beef to the skillet and incorporate taco seasoning, Cajun seasoning, enchilada sauce, corn, black beans, and diced tomatoes, creating a robust filling.
- Allow the mixture to simmer, melding the flavors together and creating a rich, hearty base.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F, preparing for the layering process.
- Create the first layer in a 9×13-inch casserole dish by evenly spreading half of the Fritos, then generously sprinkle shredded cheese over the chips.
- Carefully pour the seasoned meat mixture across the initial Fritos and cheese foundation.
- Complete the dish by topping with remaining Fritos and an additional layer of shredded cheese.
- Bake until the cheese becomes fully melted and develops a tempting golden-brown bubbling texture.
- Remove from the oven and let rest briefly before serving, allowing the layers to set and flavors to integrate.
Notes
- Boost crispiness by briefly toasting Fritos in the oven before layering to maintain their crunch throughout the dish.
- Reduce meat content by substituting half the ground beef with plant-based crumbles for a lighter, vegetarian-friendly version.
- Control sodium levels by using low-sodium taco seasoning and choosing reduced-fat cheese to make the recipe more heart-healthy.
- Customize heat levels by adjusting Cajun seasoning or adding jalapeños for those who enjoy extra spice in their Frito pie.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg