• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Life Jolie logo
  • Summer Recipes
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
    • Work with me!
    • Video Production
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Summer Recipes
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
    • Work with me!
    • Video Production
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    The Life Jolie » Main/Entree » Frito Taco Bake

    Frito Taco Bake

    Published: Aug 23, 2023 by Jessy Freimann · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads.

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    An overhead image of a finished Frito Taco Casserole recipe with Fritos and scallions on the side of it.

    Frito Taco Bake is a quick, stick-to-your-bones dinner that will warm the coldest of hearts this fall. Ready in under an hour and super easy...and did I mention all that cheese?!

    An overhead image of a finished Frito Taco Casserole recipe with Fritos and scallions on the side of it.
    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love Taco Casserole With Fritos
    • Ingredient Information And Substitutions:
    • How To Make Frito Taco Casserole
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Tips for making Frito Casserole
    • Make It A Meal
    • Other Mexican-Inspired Easy Dishes To Try...
    • Frito Taco Bake Recipe

    Why You'll Love Taco Casserole With Fritos

    I was inspired to put my own spin on classic Frito Pie Casserole when I came across a very bare bones version (I'm talking canned chili here, people!) in an old church cookbook from Kansas that I found at the rummage sale at our church. It's simple and easy to make and while it's not a particularly fancy recipe, it's a total crowd-pleaser that the whole family will love!

    So I bring you this insanely delicious frito casserole! I am certain you will love how simple, but tasty it is.

    • Super simple
    • Great for potlucks and parties
    • Family-Friendly
    • 8 ingredients + spices
    • Less than 1 hour total
    A spoon holding a scoop of Frito pie over the serving dish.

    Ingredient Information And Substitutions:

    • Ground beef: I use 90/20 ground beef but you can always go with a higher fat ratio if you want a bit more beefy flavor. You could also substitute with ground turkey or ground chicken in this Frito chili pie recipe.
    • Peppers and onions: If you're making this for kids, you can totally mince the peppers and onions nice and small. I did this, and my kids ate this happily.
    • Seasonings: The flavorings in this are rounded out by salt, pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika. If you want it to have a little kick to it, use Ancho Chili powder instead of regular chili powder and sub cayenne for black pepper..
    • Beans: Kidney or Pinto beans work best for this- be sure to rinse and drain them well!
    • Cheese: I used sharp cheddar, but a Mexican Blend cheese works well too!
    • Corn Chips: Fritos are my chips of choice, but the generic brand works well too. I went with the smaller ones for easier eating.
    An overhead image of the ingredients labeled.

    How To Make Frito Taco Casserole

    Step 1: Cook the ground beef

    Spray a skillet with non stick spray. Over medium high heat, cook the onions, peppers, and ground beef until browned.

    Beef and vegetables cooking in a skillet.

    Step 2: Add in spices and simmer

    Sprinkle in the chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, pepper, tomato sauce, water, and beans. Reduce heat and cook for 10 minutes, stirring frequently.

    Chili simmering in a skillet.

    Step 3: Bake

    Add chili mixture to a baking pan and sprinkle with cheese. Add a Frito layer and sprinkle with more cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Top with scallions and enjoy!

    The casserole in a large baking dish with Fritos on top, ready to bake.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is Frito Chili Pie?

    Frito Chili Pie, also called Frito Casserole or sometimes even a taco bake recipe consists of chili, topped with cheese, and finished off with Fritos corn chips, and any other toppings that your hungry heart desires. Now for my version, I put together a super quick homemade chili in a skillet before transferring it to a baking dish to make a layered taco casserole. Some people call it walking taco casserole, but I've always understood that to be chili and taco fixings placed into an individual-size Frito or Doritos bag and eaten that way.

    Can you make this taco bake ahead?

    Yes- prepare this up until it's time to bake and then cover and chill until it's time to cook and eat. Hold off on adding the Fritos until just before baking so they maintain their crunch. Pull it out of the fridge 30 minute before cooking and keep an eye on the temperature- you may need to add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time (you want it to be hot and bubbly throughout).

    What toppings go well with this?

    I added some chopped scallions after the casserole came out of the oven because they look pretty and taste great too, but you can totally be creative with your toppings- lettuce, tomato, cilantro, salsa, sour cream, guacamole- truly the possibilities are endless!

    Can you freeze frito chili pie?

    Yes! I would recommend preparing the dish up until it's time to bake and then top it with the cheese and but wait on adding the corn chips once you're ready to bake it. Be sure to thaw completely before baking- you may need to add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.

    How do you store leftover taco bake?

    The leftovers will last up to 3 days covered in the refrigerator and reheat well in individual servings in the microwave.

    A bowl of Frito pie casserole with the serving dish behind it.

    Tips for making Frito Casserole

    • Drain the fat. After browning the meat with the veggies will cut down on the overall greasiness of the meat.
    • I baked this in a 10 inch pie plate. You could also use a 9 Inch Baking Dish, as long as it has high sides.
    • Or you can make it a one-pot meal by using an oven-safe pan and transferring it to the oven when the time comes.
    • Feel free to get crazy with toppings. Whatever you like on your tacos would taste fantastic on this as well! I topped it with plenty of shredded cheddar cheese before adding Fritos (which are dangerously addictive, by the way. Don't say I didn't warn you!) and a little more cheese on top of the Fritos, for good measure.
    • Storage and Leftovers: The leftovers will last up to 3 days covered in the refrigerator and reheat well in individual servings in the microwave.
    The side of a serving dish of Frito casserole with a serving spoon in it.

    Make It A Meal

    This dish goes really well with:

    • Mexican Bean Salad
    • 7 Layer Taco Salad
    • Super-Easy Taco Soup

    Other Mexican-Inspired Easy Dishes To Try...

    • 20 Minute Taco Pasta is such an easy one pot recipe. This tasty dinner is made in one skillet with ground beef and Barilla Pronto Penne Pasta. It's creamy, cheesy and full of great flavor that the whole family will love!
      20 Minute Taco Pasta
    • A small square image of Cheesy Chicken Taco Bowls
      Cheesy Chicken Taco Bowls Recipe
    • These easy Grilled Shrimp Tacos are about to be your new favorite summertime dinner recipe! Topped with pineapple salsa and an avocado cream sauce, they're quick and easy to make with flavor that will keep you coming back for more.
      Grilled Shrimp Tacos
    • An overhead image focusing on a tostada on a parchment-lined pan topped with sour cream, sliced avocado and green onion.
      Leftover Chicken Tostadas (great for Turkey too!)

    Love this recipe? Please leave a 5 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below ⬇️ and/or a review in the comment section further down. Check out my Amazon Store for all my favorite tools, including those used in this recipe. And follow @thelifejolie on Instagram and TikTok!

    An overhead image of a finished Frito Taco Casserole recipe with Fritos and scallions on the side of it.

    Frito Taco Bake Recipe

    Jessy Freimann
    Frito Taco Bake is a quick, stick-to-your-bones dinner that will warm the coldest of hearts this fall. Ready in under an hour and super easy...and did I mention all that cheese?!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 40 minutes mins
    Total Time 50 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American, Mexican
    Servings 8 Servings
    Calories 196 kcal

    Equipment

    • cutting board
    • chefs knife
    • Measuring cups and spoons
    • saute pan
    • Pie pan
    • Box grater
    • Wooden Spoons

    Ingredients
      

    • Cooking spray
    • 1 medium onion, diced
    • 1 medium green pepper, diced
    • 1 pound ground beef, 80/20
    • 1 teaspoon chili powder
    • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
    • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper, you can substitute with cayenne pepper if you prefer the chili to be spicier
    • 1 8 ounce can tomato sauce
    • ¼ cup water
    • 1 can kidney or pinto beans, rinsed and drained
    • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
    • 3-4 cups fritos corn chips
    • 1-2 scallions, chopped

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and spray well with cooking spray.
    • Add onions, peppers and ground beef to the pan and saute for 5-7 minutes until the beef in browned and the vegetables have softened. Use the spoon to break up the ground beef and stir everything periodically. Drain the grease.
    • Add chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, tomato sauce, water and beans and stir well to combine.
    • Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer for 10 minutes stirring often.
    • Transfer to a deep dish pie plate or a 9 x 9 inch baking pan.
    • Sprinkle with 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar.
    • Top with Fritos and then sprinkle on the remaining ½ cup shredded cheddar.
    • Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Sprinkle with chopped scallions and serve immediately.

    Video

    Notes

    • Drain the fat. After browning the meat with the veggies will cut down on the overall greasiness of the meat.
    • I baked this in a 10 inch pie plate. You could also use a 9 Inch Baking Dish, as long as it has high sides.
    • Or you can make it a one-pot meal by using an oven-safe pan and transferring it to the oven when the time comes.
    • Feel free to get crazy with toppings. Whatever you like on your tacos would taste fantastic on this as well! I topped it with plenty of shredded cheddar cheese before adding Fritos (which are dangerously addictive, by the way. Don't say I didn't warn you!) and a little more cheese on top of the Fritos, for good measure.
    • Storage and Leftovers: The leftovers will last up to 3 days covered in the refrigerator and reheat well in individual servings in the microwave.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cupCalories: 196kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 17gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 508mgPotassium: 192mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 0.2gVitamin A: 184IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 134mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    « Sour Cream Cookies
    Southwest Rice and Ground Turkey Skillet »
    3469 shares
    • Share
    • Flipboard
    • Tweet

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. DeathBecomesHer says

      August 25, 2018 at 11:23 pm

      Fritos are my ultimate weakness with chips, love this snack mix!
      Reply
      • Jessy Freimann says

        August 26, 2018 at 7:40 pm

        Mine too- this is pretty much my new favorite casserole!
        Reply
    2. Nicole C says

      June 04, 2021 at 8:02 pm

      Ths was a hit with my family. I did substitute corn for the beans (my kids won't eat beans) and that worked well. Will be making this one again.
      Reply
      • Jessy Freimann says

        June 08, 2021 at 9:05 pm

        YAY! So glad you all loved it, Nicole! I bet it tasted fantastic with the corn, what a great idea! <3
        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Jessy in a kitchen holding a white casserole pan and smiling.
    Hi, I'm Jessy!

    Welcome to The Life Jolie! I share simple, delicious recipes and ingredient prep tips to make your weeknight cooking a breeze!

    More about me →

    Summer Recipes

    • A pile of sour cream cookies where the one in the middle has a bite out of it exposing the cakey center of the cookie.
      Sour Cream Cookies
    • A straight on image of 3 cinnamon cereal bars stacked on each other exposing the inside of the bars.
      Cinnamon Toast Crunch Bars
    • An overhead image of one side of a bowl of vegetable salad on a blue placemat.
      Marinated Vegetable Salad
    • A bowl of crab mac salad on top of a second bowl with celery and an onion behind it.
      Crab Pasta Salad
    • A close up shot of the side of a shallow bowl of shrimp mac salad.
      Shrimp Macaroni Salad
    • A piece of pineapple chicken breast with a grilled pineapple slice on a pan with other pieces behind it.
      Aloha Chicken Recipe

    Popular Recipes

    • A square image of how to melt chocolate chips in the microwave showing the chocolate once it's melted.
      How to Melt Chocolate Chips in the Kitchen
    • Italian Stuffed Zucchini Boats are the healthy weeknight meal you'll want to make again and again. This is a seriously easy recipe that's full of delicious flavor without all the guilt!
      Italian Stuffed Zucchini Boats
    • A close up shot of the side of a shallow bowl of shrimp mac salad.
      Shrimp Macaroni Salad
    • A square image of a white pot pouring cheese sauce over a bowl of broccoli with a blue towel behind it.
      Cheese Sauce for Broccoli Recipe
    • Do you love the Cheesecake Factory's Thai Lettuce Wraps! Well then why not make them at home? They're easy to make and totally delicious!
      Reader Request: Copycat Cheesecake Factory Thai Lettuce Wraps
    • A square image of Greek Yogurt Roasted Chicken Thighs.
      Greek Yogurt Roasted Chicken Thighs Recipe

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy + Disclaimer

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Video Production

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright 2014-2021 - Jolie Ventures, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy.