Do you need another recipe to add to your “quick and easy” list? This Cheesy Taco Bake is a quick, easy, and super-tasty twist on traditional taco night!
Cheesy Taco Bake
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We love tacos around here. They are fast, easy, and super-tasty. But, let’s face it. Sometimes tacos can get a little boring. And messy. So I’m always looking for a way to “spice up” taco night. This Cheesy Taco Bake recipe from “Foolproof Family Recipes” by Gooseberry Patch was the perfect way to change things up a little bit!
Do you have a copy of “Foolproof Family Recipes”? You’ll love this cookbook!
The first time I made this recipe, I used regular Fritos. I don’t usually like Chili Cheese Fritos, so I went the plain route. The second time, I went for the Chili Cheese Fritos. Oh, my… You wouldn’t think it would make that much of a difference, but it certainly did!
Use the Chili Cheese Fritos. Trust me.
Think taco-in-a-bag at the fair… but from your own oven, in your own kitchen, and nowhere near as expensive!
Top this dish off with whatever you want – extra chips, tomatoes, avocado slices, olives – anything goes!
And really… look at all this cheese! How can you say no to that?
Actually, this recipe almost didn’t happen! John found the bag of Fritos in the pantry before I was ready to make this. He was pretty upset when I told him he couldn’t eat them! Then he tasted the Cheesy Taco Bake, and everything was forgiven!
I’m usually a big fan of leftovers. If you don’t finish this the first day, the chips will start to get soggy in the refrigerator. This Cheesy Taco Bake definitely tastes best right out of the oven. I like to buy an extra bag of Chili Cheese Fritos to give the crunch back to the leftovers.
Enjoy!
Free Printable Ground Beef Buyer’s Guide
Have you ever gotten confused at the grocery store when you’re trying to pick out ground beef for tonight’s dinner? We can help! This Ground Beef Buyer’s Guide has everything you need to know about buying ground beef, plus you can download a free printable cheat sheet to keep handy in your kitchen or your purse!
Tools for Cooking with Ground Beef
Every kitchen needs a few basic tools… These are ones that I use all the time when I’m cooking with ground beef!
- 5-Quart Saute Pan
- Mix and Chop
- 6-Quart Slow Cooker
- Instant-Read Digital Thermometer
- Probe-Style Digital Thermometer
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Printable Recipe Card for Cheesy Taco Bake
Taco Bake
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 2 1-1/4 ounce packages taco seasoning mix
- 1-1/3 cups water
- 6- ounce package original or chili cheese Fritos
- 1 10-3/4 ounce cans Cheddar cheese soup
- 1 cup milk
- 16- ounce package shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- Optional: avocado green onion, tomato, or other toppings
Instructions
- Brown beef in a large skillet over medium heat; drain.
- Stir in taco seasoning and water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in soup and milk until smooth and heated through.
- Spread corn chips evenly in a lightly greased 13"x9" baking pan.
- Spoon beef mixture over chips. Top with 3 cups mozzarella cheese.
- Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes, until hot and bubbly. Remove from oven and top with remaining cheese.
- Garnish individual portions with desired toppings.
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I am planning on making the Fritos taco bake tonight. My only concern is with the Fritos being the bottom layer, will they get soggy from any liquids draining down, or do they remain crispy? Thank you! Sounds like a great dish!!
Do the Fritos stay crispy being the bottom layer? Sounds like a great recipe! Thank you!!
They do stay crispy, even on the bottom! Any leftovers will be a little soggy, but we hardly have leftovers of this recipe.
Thanks so much! Getting ready to make it in a few minutes. Can’t wait to give it a try!