Frito Pie

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Frito Pie is quick to prepare, incredibly filling, and made with everyday ingredients. The combination of crunchy corn chips, savory chili, and gooey melted cheese creates a comforting dish that’s easy to customize with your favorite toppings. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or making a weeknight dinner, this recipe comes together in no time.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Chili

• Ground beef
• Yellow onion, diced
• Garlic, minced
• Olive oil
• Tomato sauce
• Diced tomatoes
• Kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• Chili powder
• Ground cumin
• Smoked paprika
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

For the Pie

• Fritos corn chips
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Optional Toppings

• Sour cream
• Sliced jalapeños
• Diced tomatoes
• Green onions, sliced
• Fresh cilantro, chopped
• Diced avocado
• Black olives, sliced
• Hot sauce

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) if baking the casserole version.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.
3. Add the diced onion and cook for 4–5 minutes until softened.
4. Stir in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it into crumbles. Drain excess grease if necessary.
6. Stir in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, kidney beans, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
7. Simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chili thickens.
8. Spread half of the Fritos in the bottom of a baking dish.
9. Spoon the chili evenly over the corn chips.
10. Sprinkle the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses over the chili.
11. Bake for 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
12. Top with the remaining Fritos and your favorite toppings before serving.

Servings and timing

This recipe serves 6–8 people.

• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Cook time: 30 minutes
• Total time: 45 minutes

Variations

• Walking Taco Style: Serve the chili directly in individual bags of Fritos for a fun, portable meal.
• Chicken Frito Pie: Replace the ground beef with shredded chicken.
• Vegetarian Version: Use plant-based ground meat or extra beans and vegetables.
• Spicy Frito Pie: Add diced jalapeños, chipotle peppers, or pepper jack cheese.
• Loaded Frito Pie: Top with guacamole, pico de gallo, shredded lettuce, and sliced black olives.

Storage/Reheating

Store the chili separately from the Fritos whenever possible to keep the chips crunchy. Refrigerate the chili in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave, then assemble with fresh Fritos and cheese before serving. Freeze the chili for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

FAQs

What is Frito Pie?

Frito Pie is a Tex-Mex-inspired dish made with Fritos corn chips, chili, melted cheese, and a variety of toppings.

Can I use canned chili?

Yes. Canned chili is a convenient shortcut if you’re short on time.

Why should I add the Fritos at the end?

Adding some or all of the Fritos just before serving helps them stay crunchy.

What cheese works best?

Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or a Mexican cheese blend all melt beautifully.

Can I make Frito Pie ahead of time?

Yes. Prepare the chili in advance and assemble the dish just before baking or serving.

Can I make it vegetarian?

Absolutely. Replace the beef with a meat substitute, extra beans, lentils, or vegetables.

What toppings are most popular?

Sour cream, jalapeños, green onions, tomatoes, avocado, cilantro, olives, and hot sauce are all classic choices.

Can I freeze Frito Pie?

Freeze only the chili, not the chips. Add fresh Fritos after reheating for the best texture.

What side dishes pair well with Frito Pie?

Serve it with cornbread, a green salad, Mexican rice, refried beans, or grilled corn on the cob.

Can I make individual servings?

Yes. Layer the ingredients in small baking dishes or serve the chili over individual portions of Fritos for easy, personalized servings.

Conclusion

Frito Pie is a hearty, flavorful comfort food that combines crunchy corn chips, savory chili, melted cheese, and fresh toppings into one satisfying meal. Whether you’re serving it for a family dinner, game day, or casual gathering, this easy recipe is guaranteed to please a crowd. Customize it with your favorite toppings and enjoy a classic dish that’s both simple and delicious.

Frito Pie

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Frito Pie is a hearty Tex-Mex comfort food featuring crunchy corn chips layered with savory homemade chili, melted cheese, and fresh toppings. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing meal that’s perfect for family dinners, game days, and casual gatherings.

• Author: Laura
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6-8 servings
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Bake
• Cuisine: Tex-Mex
• Diet: Halal

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 can tomato sauce
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• 1 bag Fritos corn chips
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• Sour cream, optional
• Sliced jalapeños, optional
• Diced tomatoes, optional
• Sliced green onions, optional
• Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
• Diced avocado, optional
• Sliced black olives, optional
• Hot sauce, optional

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) if making the baked version.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Cook the diced onion for 4–5 minutes until softened, then add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
3. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it into crumbles. Drain excess grease if needed.
4. Stir in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, kidney beans, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
5. Simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chili thickens.
6. Spread half of the Fritos in the bottom of a baking dish.
7. Spoon the chili evenly over the corn chips.
8. Sprinkle the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses over the chili.
9. Bake for 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
10. Top with the remaining Fritos and your favorite toppings before serving.

Notes

• Use canned chili for a quick shortcut if desired.
• For the best texture, add some or all of the Fritos just before serving to keep them crunchy.
• Replace the ground beef with shredded chicken or a plant-based alternative if preferred.
• Store the chili separately from the chips for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze only the chili for up to 3 months and assemble with fresh Fritos when serving.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 590 kcal
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 1080 mg
• Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 29 g
• Cholesterol: 82 mg