Description
Frito Cowboy Cabbage is a quick and flavorful Tex-Mex inspired dish featuring seasoned ground beef, fresh cabbage, beans, corn, and tomatoes layered and topped with crunchy Fritos, shredded cheddar cheese, and a creamy dressing. Ready in just 25 minutes, this casserole-style recipe is perfect for a satisfying and easy weeknight meal that combines savory, crunchy, and fresh elements all in one bowl.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
Vegetables and Beans
- 4 cups chopped green cabbage
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup canned sweet corn, drained
Toppings
- 2 cups Fritos corn chips
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup ranch dressing or Southwest-style dressing
Instructions
- Cook the beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it is fully browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Once cooked, drain off any excess fat to keep the dish from being greasy.
- Season the beef: Add the taco seasoning packet along with a splash of water to the skillet. Stir well to combine all the flavors, then let it simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes to allow the seasoning to fully infuse into the meat.
- Prepare the vegetables: While the beef is cooking, chop the green cabbage into bite-sized pieces and dice the tomatoes. Drain the canned black beans and sweet corn to remove excess liquid, which helps maintain the dish’s texture.
- Assemble the dish: In a large serving bowl or casserole dish, start by layering the chopped cabbage. Add the seasoned ground beef on top, followed by the black beans, sweet corn, and diced tomatoes. Gently toss the mixture to combine the layers evenly.
- Add crunchy toppings: Spread the Fritos corn chips evenly over the top of the layered mixture. Then sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese generously over the Fritos to add a melty, cheesy layer.
- Finish with dressing: Just before serving, drizzle the ranch or Southwest-style dressing over the entire dish. Toss lightly if desired to incorporate the dressing throughout without losing the Fritos’ crunch.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add chopped onions or garlic when browning the ground beef.
- Use reduced-fat cheddar or dressing to make the dish lighter.
- Serve immediately after adding the dressing to keep the Fritos crunchy.
- This dish is not meant to be baked or cooked further once assembled; it’s a layered, fresh casserole-style dish.
- You can substitute Fritos with tortilla chips if preferred.
