Frito Pie is pure comfort in a dish—crunchy Fritos, seasoned ground beef, spicy chili seasoning, and melty cheese all baked together into a gooey, satisfying bite. It’s quick, easy, and perfect for a weeknight dinner or game day snack.
I first had Frito Pie at a state fair, served straight from a Frito bag with chili and cheese piled high. It was messy, salty, cheesy, and perfect.
This homemade version brings that magic to your kitchen with pantry staples and just the right kick from taco seasoning and chili powder.
Layer it up in a casserole dish, bake until bubbly, and top it off with sour cream, jalapeños, or green onions.
It’s hearty, flavorful, and guaranteed to disappear fast. Fair warning—once you try it, you’ll be making it on repeat!
What Makes This Recipe Special?
- Game Day Classic: Perfect for feeding a crowd — no one can resist that cheesy, crunchy goodness.
- Simple Ingredients: Uses pantry staples, so you probably have everything you need already.
- Quick to Make: From stovetop to table in under 30 minutes.
- Customizable: Add jalapeños for heat or swap the beef for ground turkey to lighten it up.
- Perfect Texture: The crispy Fritos paired with warm chili and melted cheese create the ultimate bite.
Frito Pie Recipe
Equipment
- Large skillet
- 9×13 inch Casserole Dish
- Wooden Spoon or Spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Oven mitts
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 yellow onion finely diced
- 1 packet taco seasoning or 3 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning
- ½ cup water
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 10 ounce each can diced tomatoes with chilies or salsa
- 1 ½ cups tomato sauce
- 1 cup frozen corn kernels thawed
- 1 15 ounce each can red kidney beans drained and rinsed
- 1 9.25 ounce each bag Fritos corn chips divided
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend divided
- sour cream for serving optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
- Brown ground beef and onions in a skillet. Drain fat.
- Stir in taco seasoning, chili powder, and water. Simmer until thickened.
- Mix in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, corn, and beans. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Layer 4 cups of corn chips in the casserole dish and sprinkle with 1 cup of cheese.
- Spread beef mixture over the chips and top with the remaining cheese.
- Bake for 18–20 minutes until the cheese melts. Top with remaining chips and desired toppings.
Nutritional Info:
| Nutrition | Value |
|---|---|
| Calories | 624kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 53g |
| Potassium | 1006mg |
| Fat | 12g |
| Sodium | 1314mg |
| Fiber | 11g |
Variations That Will Help You Customize Your Dish
- Turkey Frito Pie: Swap the ground beef for ground turkey to lighten up the dish while keeping the same hearty flavor.
- Vegetarian Frito Pie: Skip the meat and use black beans and pinto beans instead. Add sautéed bell peppers and zucchini for extra texture.
- Spicy Frito Pie: Add diced jalapeños or a teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the beef mixture for a kick of heat. Top with hot sauce or sliced pickled jalapeños.
- Chili Cheese Frito Pie: Use leftover chili instead of making the beef mixture from scratch. Add extra cheese for a gooey, cheesy bite.
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