Today’s slow cooker recipe is sure to have family and friends cheering – Slow Cooker Smothered Fritos Taco Bowls, a crowd pleasing meal!
Slow Cooker Smothered Fritos Taco Bowls
Aka, Frito Pie, this Slow Cooker Smothered Fritos Taco Bowls recipe is made with just a few ingredients and takes minutes to throw together. This awesome meal is sure to become an instant, go-to favorite! Ground beef and chili beans are slow-cooked in a delicious Tex-Mex broth. The tender beef mixture is served in bowls over Fritos and topped with your favorite taco fixings. Kids and adults will rave over this meal! Perfect for a busy day, parties, game night, tailgates, potlucks, and more.
Read Rave Reviews From People Who Tried This Recipe on Pinterest
This is one of my favorite slow cooker recipes for so many reasons. It’s simple to make, so darn good, even the pickiest eaters will enjoy this meal. If you are a fan of Walking Tacos and Frito Pie, you will love this dish. It also makes great leftovers.
WHAT YOU NEED
Lean ground beef, chopped onion, chili beans, tomato sauce, Taco seasoning, Rotel Original, water and Fritos – along with your favorite taco toppings.
HOW TO MAKE
Brown beef and chopped onions in large skillet over medium-high heat until beef is no longer pink and onions are translucent. Add taco seasoning, 1/2 cup of water, mix well – remove from heat. Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Pour chili beans, tomato sauce and Rotel in slow cooker. Next add browned beef mixture to the slow cooker and mix well. Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 5-6 hours.
PINNABLE IMAGE
If you enjoyed this dish, be sure to check out these awesome recipes
CROCK POT CHICKEN AND RICE BURRITO BOWLS by The Country Cook – Tons of flavor thanks to salsa and seasoning and only takes a few minutes of prep time. So easy!”
FRITOS CORN SALAD by South Your Mouth – “Easy and delicious corn salad made with Chili Cheese Fritos for a fantastic super tasty flavor!”
CHIPOTLE PORK CARNITAS BURRITO BOWLS by Belle of the Kitchen – “Flavorful, juicy pork that cooks all day in your crockpot. Layer it up with rice, homemade pico de gallo, and all of your favorite toppings for a delicious lunch or dinner!”
BARBACOA BEEF BOWLS by Kevin in the Kitchen – “Chunks of beef chuck simmered in chipotle, adobo, vinegar, citrus juice and spices with black beans, corn and pickled onions served on top of salad greens.”
THE BEST MARGARITA RECIPE by Gimme Some Oven – Cheers to this simple 3-ingredients cocktail – the perfect addition to any Mexican, Tex-Mex meal.
Please Note – This is NOT a sponsored post. I have no affiliation with any of products used/shown in this recipe.
Slow Cooker Smothered Fritos Taco Bowls (Easy)
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 cup chopped onion (yellow or sweet)
- 2 cans (16 ounces each) Bush’s Best Chili Beans (pinto beans – mild chili sauce) – do not drain
- 8 ounce can Tomato sauce
- 1 can Original Rotel (10 ounce can) – do not drain – Or use Homemade Rotel – Tomatoes and Green Chilies,
- taco seasoning packet (1 ounce)
- 1/2 cup water
Taco Bowl Fixings
- Fritos
- Rice (optional) – My favorite, Copycat Chipotle Restaurant’s Cilantro Lime Rice
- Favorite taco toppings suggestions – cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, jalapenos, sour cream, hot sauce, avocado, fresh lime juice, fresh cilantro, etc.
Directions
Brown beef and chopped onions in large skillet over medium-high heat until beef is no longer pink and onions are translucent. Add taco seasoning, 1/2 cup of water, mix well – remove from heat. *If you are using higher fat ground beef, be sure to drain excess fat before adding taco seasoning.
Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Pour chili beans, tomato sauce and Rotel in slow cooker. Next add browned beef mixture to the slow cooker and mix well.
Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 5-6 hours.
In individual serving bowls, add a handful of Fritos, a small layer of rice (optional), a large spoonful of the beefy taco mixture then top with your favorite taco toppings. Fresh squeezed lime over top is an awesome addition along with fresh cilantro. Enjoy!
Tip – Not a fan of beef? Use ground turkey or chicken.
Thanks for stopping by!
Cheers!
Lizzy
What size crockpot?
Mary Neumann
I use a 6 quart size, Lizzy.
Lisa
Can this be prepared and cooked in the instant pot to save on dishes? Brown meat and vegetables on sautéed function and then switch function to slow cooker on recommended time.
Chelsea
This is a great idea. I’m sure it would work!
Barb
This recipe was very good, but to me it was more like chili and less like tacos . But still great
Debbie Towndrow
I cook this recipe all of the time, I also add1/2 cup of green pepper and cook it with the onion.
I take this cooked taco sauce with me when we go camping.It’s easy to heat up and to finish putting it together but omitting the rice.
Cheryl
We call this Fiesta! I’ve had the recipe for over 50 years.
Regina K Heagy
I made frito taco bowl 🥣. Everyone loves it!
Tanya S
Does this freeze well?
Christine
This looks really good please send me the website thank you
Laura
yes it does!
Zyebith
Hi,
I have been trying to figure out how many servings this makes. Any suggestions ?
Zyebith
Sorry, just found the amount while reading all the comments ! Thank You !
debra
I don’t see number of servings?
Mary Neumann
Approximately 6-8 servings, Debra.
Amy Lewis
This sounds like it would be good with refried beans as well.
Janine
This was delicious! I added hot rotel to give it a kick and it was so good!! Thank you for sharing!
Sam
This sounds good but I am not a fan of ground beef. So do you think chicken would be good in it?
Mary Neumann
Ground turkey/chicken works well,Sam.
Jacey
Ground pork works really well! I love it.
Amanda
This was a great meal using pantry items. We buy regular tortilla chips in bulk from Sams and they were just as nice as Fritos under it.
Erin
Would red kidney beans work?
Mary Neumann
Yes! This recipe is super easy to adapt, Erin.
Betty
We grew up on these!
Top with favorite cheese and pop in to oven to melt the cheese!
Kendra
For those asking if you can make this in the Instant Pot, the answer is yes! I browned my beef and onions using the sauté setting, then added all of the other ingredients and cooked on the beans/chili setting for 20 minutes. Came out great!
Kate
Thank you!!!
Cat
Would the recipe be lacking or too
dry if we omitted the beans?
Martha B
Has anyone tried this in the instant pot? If so what changes did you have to make?
Christin C.
Just wanted to say how delicious this recipe is, and how much I appreciate you sharing it! I found this on Pinterest and have made it several times.
Barbara
Wow! This was delicious! Everything blended together beautifully. I used Success 10 min rice and mixed in some cilantro when rice was done. This is a keeper!
Tamera
Can you make this on stove top without cooking for several hours?
Bridget Harrison
Would leaving out the rotel make a difference I have a husband that doesn’t like tomatoes.
Wendy
Same here,I think if we puree the Rotel it would be better for picky eaters.
Kim Geria
Made this today at work. Cooked it on high for 4 hours. WOW! everyone loved it. Thank you for sharing your recipe. Definately will make again.
Jennifer
We made this with ground deer! It was amazing, all my kids loved it!
Heather
Can this be made in the instapot?
Linda Peterson
Love this! So perfect anytime but it will be so warming on a winter night! Could you tell me how many servings this recipe makes?
Linda Peterson
How many servings?
Mary Neumann
Hi Linda,
Serves 6 to 8
Jill
Do u know the calories per serving?
Patty
How many calories does it have
Linda Peterson
Sorry, I asked again and just realized you had already answered. 😳