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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.

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

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

Find it online: https://thefamilycooking.com/frito-pie/