If comfort food had a festival, Frito Pie would absolutely steal the show! With its irresistible layers of crunchy corn chips, savory beef and beans, gooey cheddar cheese, and a parade of toppings, this dish is a celebration of big flavor and down-to-earth simplicity. Frito Pie is meant for sharing, whether it’s a casual weeknight at home, a spirited game-day party, or as the center of a nostalgic potluck spread. Grab your favorite toppings and get ready to dive into a bowl of total satisfaction.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients for Frito Pie couldn’t be easier, yet every item truly matters. Each plays a role in building the dish’s famous flavors, tempting textures, and cheerful pops of color that make it a classic in Tex-Mex cuisine.
- Ground beef (1 pound): Adds hearty, rich flavor and a satisfying meaty bite as the base of your Frito Pie.
- Diced onion (1/2 medium): Provides subtle sweetness and depth as it cooks into the beef.
- Chili beans (1 can, 15 oz, undrained): Brings creaminess, spice, and extra heft to the filling.
- Diced tomatoes with green chilies (1 can, 10 oz): Offers a tangy, zesty lift and gentle heat throughout.
- Taco seasoning (1 packet, 1.25 oz): Ties everything together with Tex-Mex flair—think cumin, chili powder, and a hint of garlic.
- Shredded cheddar cheese (2 cups): Melts into a golden, bubbly layer that’s downright irresistible.
- Fritos corn chips (4 cups): The crunchy, salty hero that defines Frito Pie—don’t skimp!
- Optional toppings: Sour cream, sliced jalapeños, chopped green onions, and diced tomatoes—these boost freshness, color, and flavor in every bite.
How to Make Frito Pie
Step 1: Prepare your oven and dish
Begin by heating your oven to 375°F and giving a 9×13-inch baking dish a light coat of nonstick spray. This simple step prevents sticking and makes serving your Frito Pie a breeze later on.
Step 2: Cook beef and onions
In a large skillet over medium heat, brown your ground beef and diced onion until the meat is cooked through and no pink remains. Stir occasionally and break up the beef as it cooks. If there’s excess grease, carefully drain it off to keep your pie from getting soggy.
Step 3: Build the chili layer
Stir in your can of chili beans (liquid included), your diced tomatoes with green chilies, and the taco seasoning. Give everything a good stir, then let it simmer for about 5 minutes. This step helps the flavors come together and makes the sauce extra savory.
Step 4: Layer the Fritos and beef mixture
Scatter half of your Fritos chips evenly in the prepared baking dish—they form the crunchy base. Spoon the hot beef and bean mixture right over the top, making sure to spread it to all the corners for even coverage.
Step 5: Cheese it up and finish layering
Now sprinkle all that shredded cheddar cheese over the meat layer, letting it fall down into the edges. Finally, scatter the remaining Fritos over the top to create that signature crispy crown.
Step 6: Bake to perfection
Slide your assembled dish, uncovered, into the oven. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes—just long enough for the cheese to melt, the chips to get golden, and everything to bubble invitingly at the edges. Serve your Frito Pie piping hot.
How to Serve Frito Pie
Garnishes
Top your Frito Pie with a heaping spoon of sour cream, a few fresh slices of jalapeño, a scattering of chopped green onions, or bright, juicy diced tomatoes. Each garnish brings a burst of freshness and an extra layer of flavor that balances out the rich, cheesy filling.
Side Dishes
Frito Pie has plenty of personality all on its own, but it loves some company. Pair it with a simple green salad tossed in a tangy vinaigrette, classic Mexican street corn, or a bowl of spicy black bean soup. These sides add crunch, color, and variety to your Tex-Mex table.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, try serving individual portions in single-serve Frito snack bags (sometimes called “walking Frito Pie”) for a party-ready touch. Alternatively, add your Frito Pie filling to loaded nachos, or pile it high on baked potatoes for a playful family dinner.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, allow the Frito Pie to cool completely before scooping portions into airtight containers. Refrigerate for up to 3 days. The chips will soften, but the flavors just keep getting better with time.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze the beef and bean mixture (without the Fritos or cheese) in a sturdy zip-top bag or container for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight and assemble your Frito Pie fresh for that perfect chip crunch.
Reheating
To reheat, microwave individual servings or pop the whole dish (covered with foil) in a 350°F oven until heated through. If you want a fresh crunch, sprinkle extra Fritos on top just before serving.
FAQs
Can I make Frito Pie vegetarian?
Absolutely! Swap the ground beef for your favorite plant-based ground “meat” or use a can of vegetarian chili in place of beef and beans. It’s just as hearty and delicious.
What’s the best cheese to use?
Cheddar is classic, but you can mix it up with Monterey Jack, pepper Jack for extra spice, or a blend of what you have on hand. Melty cheese is the key.
How can I make Frito Pie spicier?
Add fresh jalapeños or diced green chilies to the beef mixture, or swap the cheddar for pepper Jack cheese. You can even add a splash of hot sauce to the filling.
Can I prepare Frito Pie in advance?
You can prep the beef and bean filling a day or two ahead, but don’t assemble with the Fritos until just before baking. This keeps the chips crisp and the cheesy topping perfectly gooey.
What’s the origin of Frito Pie?
Frito Pie’s roots run deep in the American Southwest, likely beginning in Texas or New Mexico as a smart, satisfying way to serve chili and corn chips together. Its simplicity and taste have made it beloved far and wide!
Final Thoughts
There’s just something magical about a bubbling hot dish of Frito Pie hitting the table. It’s nostalgic, unfussy, and wildly delicious—guaranteed to put smiles on faces. Whether you keep it classic or go wild with toppings, this is the kind of recipe you’ll come back to again and again. Give it a try, and let Frito Pie become a new favorite in your home!
Print
Frito Pie Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Frito Pie is a Tex-Mex inspired casserole dish featuring layers of seasoned ground beef, beans, cheese, and crunchy Fritos corn chips, baked to perfection. It’s a hearty and flavorful comfort food that’s perfect for a family dinner or casual gathering.
Ingredients
Ground Beef Mixture:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 medium onion, diced
- 1 (15 oz) can chili beans, undrained
- 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel)
- 1 (1.25 oz) packet taco seasoning
Layering:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 cups Fritos corn chips
Optional Toppings:
- sour cream
- sliced jalapeños
- chopped green onions
- diced tomatoes
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook Beef Mixture: In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and onion until beef is browned. Drain excess grease and add chili beans, diced tomatoes, and taco seasoning. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Layer: Spread half of the Fritos in the baking dish. Top with beef mixture, then shredded cheddar. Add remaining Fritos on top.
- Bake: Bake uncovered for 15–20 minutes until cheese is melted.
- Serve: Serve hot with optional toppings.
Notes
- You can use ground turkey or vegetarian chili for variations.
- For extra heat, add jalapeños or pepper jack cheese.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
