Frito Pie Corn Chips (Print Version)

Layered beef, beans, chips, and cheese baked to melty perfection with fresh toppings.

# Ingredients:

Meat and Vegetables

01 - 1 pound ground beef
02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

Seasonings and Liquids

04 - 3 tablespoons taco seasoning
05 - 1 tablespoon chili powder
06 - 120 milliliters water
07 - 1 can (283 grams) mild Rotel diced tomatoes

Canned Goods

08 - 1 can (425 grams) kidney beans, drained

Chip and Cheese

09 - 4 to 5 cups Fritos corn chips
10 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
11 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Garnishes

12 - 2 green onions, sliced
13 - Sour cream, to taste
14 - Diced tomatoes, to taste
15 - Chopped cilantro, to taste

# Instructions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Lightly grease a 23x33 cm (9x13 inch) casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until about halfway browned. Add diced onion and continue cooking until beef is fully browned and onion is tender.
03 - Reduce heat to low, add minced garlic and stir constantly for 1 minute. Drain excess fat. Stir in taco seasoning, chili powder, water, diced tomatoes, and kidney beans. Simmer gently for 10 minutes.
04 - Spread approximately 2 cups of Fritos corn chips evenly in the bottom of the casserole dish. Spoon half of the beef mixture over the chips. Sprinkle half of the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses on top.
05 - Add 2 more cups of Fritos chips over the cheese, followed by the remaining beef mixture. Top with remaining chips and cheeses evenly.
06 - Bake the assembled dish for about 20 minutes or until the cheese is thoroughly melted and the casserole is heated through.
07 - Remove from oven and top with sliced green onions, sour cream, diced tomatoes, and chopped cilantro. Serve immediately.

# Notes:

01 - Simmering the meat mixture allows flavors to meld and ensures the beans absorb the seasoning.