• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Gift of Hospitality logo

  • Home
    • About
  • Recipes
  • Hospitality How-Tos
  • Newsletter
  • Shop
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
    • About
  • Recipes
  • Hospitality How-Tos
  • Newsletter
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Recipes » Casseroles » Taco Casserole with Fritos

    Taco Casserole with Fritos

    Published: Jan 17, 2023 by Kate Shungu · This post may contain affiliate links

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    Jump to Recipe
    taco casserole topped with lettuce and tomatoes.
    piece of taco casserole on a small white plate next to a fork.
    whole taco casserole and a piece of taco casserole on a small white plate.
    piece of taco casserole on a small white plate next to a fork.

    This Taco Casserole with Fritos recipe is pure comfort food! It has all of the flavors of a walking taco, wrapped up in a hearty casserole.

    slice of taco casserole on a white plate, in front of a full casserole dish.

    Ever heard of a walking taco? It’s a mini bag of fritos, opened and filled with taco meat and toppings. This Taco Casserole with Fritos is a spin a walking taco, but even easier to make!

    Tuesday night is taco night at my house. And I’m constantly looking for new ways to jazz them up. I’ll rotate between ground beef and chicken, and sometimes do Crockpot Carnitas, but sometimes I just want something completely different.

    This recipe, pulled from a 1980s church cookbook, was an absolute winner at my house. It has all of the flavors of a taco, made into an easy-to-make casserole.

    The real stand-out to this casserole is the addition of Fritos corn chips. I’m no stranger to adding chips to my casseroles (see Hot Chicken Salad and Easy Dorito Chicken Casserole), and this casserole benefits from it as well.

    The Fritos get soft (like corn tortillas) in a taco-spiced sauce. The ground beef makes it hearty. It’s loaded with corn and olives. The top is cheesy and gooey. It’s truly casserole perfection. And, you can make it ahead!

    This post contains affiliate links. Affiliate links support Gift of Hospitality at no additional cost to you. I receive a commission if you choose to make a purchase through these links.

    Jump to:
    • Top tips
    • Ingredients
    • How to make Taco Casserole with Fritos
    • Can I make taco casserole ahead of time?
    • Variations
    • Leftovers and storage
    • More main dish casseroles
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Related recipes

    Top tips

    • I love serving this casserole with a generous amount of shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes on top. It’s the perfect contrast to the warm, cheesy casserole.
    • You can make the casserole up to 24 hours in advance of baking it. See below for more tips on that!
    • Don’t like olives? Just leave them out!
    • Don’t drain the canned corn! The liquid goes into the casserole.

    Ingredients

    ingredients for taco casserole with fritos on a white table.
    • The casserole starts with a layer of ground beef, onion, and taco seasoning.
    • We’ll add olives and canned corn to the casserole itself, and the lettuce and tomato are for the top (after it bakes).
    • The tomato sauce and the beef broth create a rich sauce to soften the Fritos corn chips.
    • Shredded cheese goes on top!

    How to make Taco Casserole with Fritos

    Start by browning the ground beef and chopped onion in a large skillet.

    Cook, stirring to break up the beef, until cooked through.

    ground beef, onions, and a wooden spoon in a large black skillet.

    Add the taco seasoning, tomato sauce, undrained can of corn, olives, and beef broth. Stir and cook for 3 minutes.

    ground beef and corn in a red sauce in a skillet.

    Stir in the Fritos, and pour in a 13×9 inch casserole dish. The Fritos will soak up the tomato sauce mixture.

    Top with the shredded cheese.

    unbaked taco casserole topped with shredded cheese in a white casserole dish.

    Bake the Taco Casserole with Fritos for 25 minutes at 350°F.

    Remove from the oven and top with shredded lettuce and chopped tomato. Serve!

    taco casserole topped with lettuce and tomato in a white casserole dish.

    Can I make taco casserole ahead of time?

    Taco Casserole can be made up to 24 hours in advance of baking it. Prepare the casserole as directed, but cover it with plastic wrap instead of baking it. Refrigerate for up to one day.

    When you’re ready to serve it, bake as directed, adding 5 minutes to the baking time.

    Variations

    • Don’t like olives? Just omit them!
    • Substitute ground turkey for the ground beef.
    • Sprinkle homemade or store-bought pico de gallo on top in place of the tomatoes.
    • Use 1 cup of defrosted frozen corn in place of the canned corn.
    piece of taco casserole on a small white plate next to a fork.

    Leftovers and storage

    Leftover Taco Casserole with Fritos can be kept in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 4 days. Reheat the leftovers in the microwave or in the oven.

    I don’t recommend freezing it, as the texture will be compromised by the freezing/thawing process.

    More main dish casseroles

    I love a good all-in-one meal! Here are a few other favorites.

    • Pizza Casserole
    • Old Fashioned Tuna Noodle Casserole
    • Easy Dorito Chicken Casserole
    • Hot Chicken Salad

    Have you tried this recipe? Please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and/or comment below!

    cup of ambrosia and slice of banana cake.

    📖 Recipe

    taco casserole with fritos on a small white plate, topped with lettuce and tomato.

    Taco Casserole with Fritos

    Published by Kate
    Made with Fritos, ground beef, corn, and olives, this taco casserole tastes like a walking taco, but in casserole form!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 35 mins
    Total Time 45 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 367 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 lb ground beef
    • 1 small yellow onion, chopped
    • 3 tablespoons taco seasoning
    • 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
    • 1 (15 oz) can whole kernel corn, undrained
    • 1 (2¼ oz) can chopped black olives, drained
    • 1 cup beef broth
    • 1 (10 oz) bag Fritos corn chips
    • 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
    • For the top: shredded lettuce and chopped tomatoes

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 13×9 inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
    • Place the ground beef and onion in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until the beef is cooked through and the onion is soft.
    • Add the taco seasoning, tomato sauce, undrained can of corn, olives, and beef broth. Stir to combine and let cook for 3 minutes.
    • Stir in the Fritos. Pour the mixture into the greased casserole dish and top with shredded cheese. Bake for 25 minutes. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

    Notes

    Remember not to drain the corn! The liquid goes into the casserole for this recipe. 
    Don’t like olives? You can leave them out.
    You can substitute defrosted frozen corn (1 cup) for the canned corn. Add ⅓ cup water along with the corn if you’re using frozen corn. 
    Make it ahead: you can assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance. Cover and refrigerator it until you’re ready to bake it. Add 5 minutes to the baking time. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 367kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 18gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 681mgPotassium: 412mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 331IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 159mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword taco casserole
    Tried this recipe?Follow me at @giftofhospitality and let me know how you liked it!

    Related recipes

    • Hot Chicken Salad
    • Old Fashioned Tuna Noodle Casserole
    • Easy Dorito Chicken Casserole
    • Pizza Casserole
    « Old Fashioned Date Cake
    Easy Ranch Chicken »
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    kate

    About Kate

    I’m a believer, wife, mom, and big fan of old cookbooks. I live in Chicago with my husband and two young sons. I love discovering old fashioned recipes that will transport you back in time! Read more...

      • Facebook
      • Instagram
      • Pinterest

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome

    Kate from Gift of HospitalityI’m Kate. I love discovering old fashioned recipes that will transport you back in time. Learn more here
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Winter Recipes

    bowl of potato soup topped with chopped bacon and parsley.

    Old Fashioned Potato Soup

    beef stroganoff with mushrooms on a bed of egg noodles on a white plate.

    Beef Stroganoff with Cream of Mushroom Soup

    cheesy mashed potatoes in a green bowl, topped with chives and shredded cheddar.

    Extra Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

    stuffed green pepper in a gray casserole dish with other stuffed bell peppers.

    Old Fashioned Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe

    old fashioned sloppy joes meat on a brioche bun with pickles.

    Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes

    tuna noodle casserole with potato chips in a white dish.

    Old Fashioned Tuna Noodle Casserole

    More Winter Recipes Here....

    Most Popular Recipes

    slice of sausage and egg casserole on a white plate.

    Overnight Sausage and Egg Casserole

    asian cabbage salad in a blue and white decorative bowl.

    Asian Cabbage Salad

    crock pot pork chops in sauce on a white oval platter.

    Crockpot Pork Chops with Mushroom Soup

    slice of ding dong cake in a cake pan with more ding dong cake in the pan.

    Easy Ding Dong Cake

    french toast casserole in a white casserole dish.

    Overnight French Toast Casserole

    ritz cracker sandwiches stacked on a white platter

    RITZ® Crackers Party Sandwiches

    Desserts of the Decades

    Get vintage dessert recipes from throughout the decades, straight to your inbox!

    Web Stories

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    SEEN ON

    as seen on promo graphic

    SEEN ON

    as seen on promo graphic

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign up for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Work with me

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright Gift of Hospitality © 2022