Description
Fritos Chili Cheese Salad is a hearty and flavorful dish combining seasoned ground beef chili with crunchy Fritos corn chips and fresh vegetables, topped with cheddar cheese and sour cream for a delightful, easy-to-make meal perfect for quick dinners or game day gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 bag of Fritos (about 9 oz)
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 can chili (15 oz)
- 1 packet chili seasoning mix
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Fresh Toppings
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup shredded lettuce
- 1/4 cup diced red onions
- 1 tablespoon chopped green onions
Additional Toppings
- 1/4 cup sour cream
Instructions
- Cook the ground beef: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat. Break it up with a spatula as it browns evenly. Once fully cooked, drain off any excess fat to keep the dish from being greasy.
- Add seasoning and chili: Stir in the packet of chili seasoning mix with the cooked beef. Then add the canned chili and mix well. Reduce the heat to low and let the chili simmer gently for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Prepare the salad base: In a large serving bowl, create the base by layering shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced red onions, and the Fritos chips evenly to build texture and freshness.
- Add the chili topping: Spoon the warm chili mixture evenly over the layered salad ingredients, distributing it to cover all the chips and veggies below.
- Top with cheese and sour cream: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese generously over the chili. Add a dollop of sour cream on top to add creaminess and balance the spices.
- Garnish and serve: Finish by sprinkling chopped green onions on the salad for a fresh, mild onion flavor. Serve immediately to enjoy the crunchy texture of the Fritos before they soften.
Notes
- For a spicier version, add jalapeños or hot sauce to the chili mixture.
- Use reduced-fat sour cream or Greek yogurt for a lighter alternative.
- Layer the ingredients just before serving to prevent the Fritos from getting soggy.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein.
- This salad can be doubled for larger gatherings and kept warm by covering the chili separately until serving.
