Description
Frito Bars are a savory, layered casserole combining crunchy Fritos, seasoned ground beef, creamy mushroom and sour cream mixture, and melted cheddar cheese, baked to golden perfection. This dish makes for a comforting, crowd-pleasing appetizer or main course perfect for gatherings or casual meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 cups Fritos corn chips
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp chili powder (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Sauté Onion: Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook until translucent and soft, about 3-5 minutes.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add 1 pound of ground beef to the skillet. Season with salt, pepper, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon chili powder if using. Cook until browned and cooked through, breaking apart the meat as it cooks. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Prepare Cream Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine one 10.5-ounce can of cream of mushroom soup with 1 cup of sour cream. Stir until smooth and well blended.
- Layer Fritos Base: Spread half of the 4 cups of Fritos corn chips evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish to create the first crunchy layer.
- Add Ground Beef Layer: Spread half of the cooked ground beef mixture evenly over the Fritos layer.
- Spread Cream Mixture: Spoon and spread half of the cream of mushroom and sour cream mixture over the beef layer.
- Cheese Layer: Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the cream layer.
- Repeat Layers: Repeat the layering process by adding the remaining Fritos chips, the remaining ground beef mixture, and the rest of the cream mixture. Finish by topping with the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and starting to turn golden.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for about 5 minutes to set slightly. Slice into bars and serve warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can substitute the cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken or celery soup if preferred.
- For extra spice, add more chili powder or a dash of hot sauce to the ground beef mixture.
- This dish can be prepared in advance and refrigerated before baking; just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking cold.
- Use low-fat sour cream and reduced-fat cheese to lower calories and fat content if desired.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
