Frito Pie is the ultimate comfort food that’s perfect for game day or any family meal where you want to serve something everyone will love. This dish starts with a hearty, chili-like base made with seasoned ground beef, beans, and a blend of spices.
The magic happens when you top it with loads of shredded cheese and crunchy Fritos, then bake it to perfection. The result is a warm, cheesy, and crunchy casserole that’s irresistible from the first bite to the last.
Not only is Frito Pie incredibly flavorful, but it’s also easy to customize. You can switch up the protein, add your favorite toppings, or crank up the heat with some jalapeños.
Whether you’re serving it for a casual family dinner or a crowd-pleasing potluck dish, this Frito Pie is sure to become a new favorite.
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Servings: 6-8
Ingredients:
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 package taco seasoning & water as indicated on package
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 10 ounces diced tomatoes with chilies or salsa
- 1 ½ cups tomato sauce
- 15 ounces kidney beans, drained
- 1 cup corn, drained
- 1 bag Fritos® corn chips, divided (about 5 ½ cups)
- 2 cups Mexican cheese blend, divided (shredded, 8 ounces)
- ¼ cup green onions, chopped
- Sour cream for serving (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9″x13″ casserole dish and set it aside.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and diced onion over medium heat. Drain any excess fat.
- Stir in the taco seasoning, chili powder, and water according to the package instructions. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer until thickened.
- Add the diced tomatoes with chilies or salsa, tomato sauce, drained kidney beans, and corn to the skillet. Stir to combine and let it simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
- Spread 4 cups of Frito chips evenly across the bottom of the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded Mexican cheese blend over the chips.
- Pour the beef mixture over the cheese and Frito layer, spreading it out evenly. Top with the remaining cup of shredded cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove the casserole from the oven and top it with the remaining Frito chips and chopped green onions. Serve with a dollop of sour cream, if desired.
Notes:
- You can substitute the ground beef with ground turkey or chicken if you prefer a lighter option.
- If you’re serving leftovers, reserve the Frito chips for topping until just before serving to maintain their crunch. Add the corn chips and any additional toppings after reheating the casserole.
- To add a little heat, consider mixing in some diced jalapeños with the meat mixture.
