Cheesy Fritos Chili Casserole . . . this easy family friendly main dish has been a favorite of mine since I was a kid. The whole family loves it!
Wow, blogging is hard during the summer months. First of all, my kids are home and I want to spend time with them.
Second of all, it is so hot I have a hard time motivating myself to do much of anything.
Third of all, I don’t feel like cooking. Because it is so darn hot. To bad humans can’t live long on fresh fruit, popsicles, and ice cream.
Fourth of all, I am in the middle of a bathroom remodel. It is taking soooo much of my time.
My medicine cabinet is drying in the garage as we speak. In a few hours, it will be ready for it’s second coat of paint. Then it’s time to start re-finishing the rest of the cabinets. Just thinking about it makes me want to have a nap.
So, since I haven’t had the time or energy for cooking lately, I’m sharing a recipe I’ve had stored away for a few months. This chili casserole was one of my very favorite meals when I was a kid.
I have no idea who Elena is, but I’ve been calling it Elena’s chili casserole since I was about 3 years old, so I just can’t change it. It is a really easy recipe. Both of my oldest boys know how to make it, so I know it is no fail! I love the crunchy chips and cheese on the top. So yummy!!
Need a few more family friendly dinner ideas? Give these recipes a try:
- Bacon Cheeseburger Pie
- Spicy Shepherd’s Pie
- Chicken Fajita Skillet
- Beef Stroganoff Sandwich
- Dutch Oven Chicken
- Pigs in a Blanket
- Skillet Lasagna
- Chicken Pillows
Cheesy Fritos Chili Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 onion chopped
- 1.25 ounce packet chili seasoning mix
- 8 ounce can tomato sauce
- ½ cup water
- 30 oz canned pinto beans drained
- 4 ½ oz can sliced olives
- 1 ½ cups grated cheddar cheese
- 1 cup Fritos corn chips
Instructions
- Brown and drain hamburger in a large skillet. Add onion, chili seasoning, tomato sauce, and water.
- Simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
- In a 2 qt casserole dish, layer half of the meat, beans, olives, and cheese. Repeat layers, ending with chips and cheese.
- Cover and bake at 350° for 25 minutes. Remove cover and bake for 5 minutes or till crispy on top.
Elena’s casserole was a standard when my kids were growing up, along with Dot’s noodles, and I don’t know who Dot was either. Your picture looks a little different than I remember, but I can’t find my copy of the recipe so I will try yours. My 60 year old “kids” remember Elena so how nice that she lives on in memories whoever she is.
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I hope you make it and that it brings back fond memories! 🙂
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My whole family gobbled this down. YUM! It’s definitely going our our regular rotation this fall and winter…thank you!
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So happy to hear that it is a new favorite at your house Samantha!
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This chili is so quick and easy to make. We served it with cornbread muffins and extra cheese on top! Yummy!
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Oh yum, cornbread muffins on the side sounds fantastic. I need to try that!
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This meal was so genius and easy and delicious. I’m so glad to have come across it. My family really enjoyed it. So much that we will be eating it on repeat all fall and winter long!
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Glad to hear that a favorite at our house was such a hit at yours! 🙂
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Elena’s chili casserole was a standard when my kids were growing up, and they still talk about it fondly. I don’t know who Elena was either but she lives on in my family’s memory. I think my recipe called for blobs of sour cream put on for the last 10 minutes or so.
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Thanks to Elena, wherever she is! I’ve never tried adding sour cream while it’s baking, but it’s sure a tasty garnish, so I bet it would be tasty that way as well. 🙂
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