Description
This Corn Chip Pie Casserole with Ground Beef is a comforting, cheesy baked dish perfect for a quick weeknight meal. Featuring layers of seasoned ground beef, pinto beans, enchilada sauce, melted Monterey Jack cheese, and crunchy corn chips, this casserole combines Tex-Mex flavors with an easy assembly and a satisfying texture contrast.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (lean variety works best)
- 1 ounce taco seasoning
- 1 large onion, diced (or two small onions)
- 30 ounces pinto beans, rinsed
- 20 ounces enchilada sauce
- 2½ cups Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 9.25 ounces corn chips (like Fritos)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 13 x 9-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray and set it aside.
- Cook Ground Beef and Onions: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef and diced onions. Cook until the beef is fully browned and the onions are softened. Drain off any excess grease to keep the casserole from becoming too oily.
- Season the Beef: Stir in the taco seasoning into the cooked beef and onions mixture. Mix well to evenly distribute the seasoning and remove from heat.
- Layer the Casserole: Spread the seasoned ground beef evenly in the prepared casserole dish. Next, add the rinsed pinto beans over the beef layer. Carefully pour the enchilada sauce over the beans and beef, spreading it out evenly.
- Add Cheese and Corn Chips: Sprinkle three-quarters of the shredded Monterey Jack cheese over the enchilada sauce layer. Then add a layer of corn chips on top of the cheese. Finally, sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly over the corn chips.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
- Rest: Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to sit for 5 minutes. This resting time lets the layers settle and makes serving easier.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the casserole warm. Top with your favorite garnishes such as chopped green onions, sour cream, shredded lettuce, guacamole, and sliced black olives. Enjoy your flavorful Tex-Mex Corn Chip Pie Casserole!
Notes
- You can substitute the pinto beans with black beans if preferred.
- Use low-fat cheese and ground beef for a lighter version.
- Try adding jalapeños or chili powder for extra heat.
- Ensure to drain the cooked beef well to avoid excess grease in the casserole.
- This recipe can be prepared ahead and baked just before mealtime.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated, though the corn chips might lose their crunch.
