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Frito Pie
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Thick and hearty, with gooey cheese and crunchy Frito corn chips, this easy recipe features bold flavors your family will love. Simple to make, you can have a dish of comfort food on the table in just 30 minutes.
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Cheesy and crunchy Frito pie is a classic casserole recipe made with ground beef, taco and chili seasonings, shredded cheese, and Fritos. Everything gets layered in a baking dish and then cooked until hot and melted.
Made with simple ingredients, this is a dinner that can be completed, start to finish, in 30 minutes, making it a perfect choice for busy weeknights. This easy casserole can even be prepared ahead of time and frozen.
Deliciously filling all on its own, Frito pie goes perfectly with a side of corn casserole. If you
Frito Pie Ingredients
- Ground Beef
- Onion - diced finely
- Taco seasoning - 1 packet
- Chili sauce
- Salsa - medium salsa
- Kidney beans - one 15-ounce can, rinsed
- Chili powder
- Salt
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Garlic - minced garlic
- Monterey jack cheese - shredded
- Cheddar cheese - shredded
- Corn chips - Fritos corn chips, any flavor
Frito pie is a lot like a thick chili, and like chili, you can add in all kinds of extra ingredients to personalize the flavor. Corn, jalapeños, green chilis, peppers, diced tomatoes, and black olives would all make delicious additions to your Frito Pie.
t Do you prefer your chili with beans or no beans? The recipe calls for kidney beans, but you could also use chili beans, pinto beans, black beans, or no beans at all. In addition to the Monterey Jack and Cheddar Cheese, you could also try a shredded Mexican blend or top your casserole with a Mexican crema.
When it comes to Frito Pie, you can’t forget the toppings. Some favorites include sour cream, avocado or guacamole, salsa, queso, diced red onion, sliced green onions, jalapeños, shredded lettuce, and diced tomatoes.
How to Make Frito Pie
FIRST STEP: Start by preheating the oven to 400 degrees. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
SECOND STEP: In a large skillet over medium heat cook and crumble ground beef until no longer pink.
THIRD STEP: Drain grease and return beef to skillet. Add onions and garlic. Continue to cook for 5-7 minutes, or until onions are soft and tender.
FOURTH STEP: Add taco seasoning, chili sauce, medium salsa, kidney beans, chili powder, pepper, salt, onion powder, and garlic powder. Stir well and let simmer for 3-5 minutes.

FIFTH STEP: Pour the meat mixture into the greased 9x13 baking dish. Use a spatula to spread the mixture out evenly.
SIXTH STEP: Top meat mixture with half of the Monterey jack and cheddar cheeses. Sprinkle corn chips on top of shredded cheese. Top the corn chips with the remaining cheese.
SEVENTH STEP: Place the baking dish in the oven and let cook for about 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted.
EIGHTH STEP: Serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy!

What toppings are good on Frito Pie?
Sour cream, avocado or guacamole, salsa, queso, diced red onion, sliced green onions, jalapeños, shredded lettuce, and diced tomatoes are all delicious toppings for Frito pie.
Can I freeze Frito Pie?
Prepare the meat mixture and then wait for it to cool. Place the mixture in an airtight container for up to three months. When ready to bake, thaw the meat mixture and then spread it in the casserole dish. Top with cheese and Frito chips, and bake according to the recipe.
What to serve with Frito Pie?
Corn casserole, Mexican street corn dip, rice, cornbread, or a fruit salad are all great side dishes. And how about some lemon brownies for dessert!
How to Store Frito Pie
IN THE FRIDGE: Store leftover Frito Pie in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or the microwave.
IN THE FREEZER: To freeze, follow the directions to cook the meat mixture and then wait for it to cool. Place the mixture in an airtight container for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw the meat, and then continue preparing the casserole.
Frito Pie
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Ingredients
- Laura's Lean Ground Beef 1 pound
- onion diced finely 1
- packet taco seasoning 1
- chili sauce 1 cup
- medium salsa 1 cup
- can kidney beans (rinsed) 1 15- ounce
- chili powder 2 teaspoon
- pepper ½ teaspoon
- salt 1 teaspoon
- onion powder ½ teaspoon
- garlic powder ½ teaspoon
- minced garlic 2 teaspoon
- Monterey jack cheese (shredded) 1.5 cups
- cheddar cheese (shredded) 1.5 cups
- corn chips 4 cups
DIRECTIONS
- Start by preheating the oven to 400 degrees. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat cook and crumble ground beef until no longer pink.
- Drain grease and return beef to skillet. Add onions and garlic. Continue to cook for 5-7 minutes, or until onions are soft and tender.
- Add taco seasoning, chili sauce, medium salsa, kidney beans, chili powder, pepper, salt, onion powder, and garlic powder. Stir well and let simmer for 3-5 minutes.
- Pour the meat mixture into the greased 9x13 baking dish. Use a spatula to spread the mixture out evenly.
- Top meat mixture with half of the Monterey jack and cheddar cheeses. Sprinkle corn chips on top of shredded cheese. Top the corn chips with the remaining cheese.
- Place the baking dish in the oven and let cook for about 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted.
- Serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Comments
Judy Brantley says
Love the recipes they look delicious I am going to try them I cook a lot
Cynthia parrott says
Looks good
Kristin says
I am going to try this but use black beans in the place of the kidney beans...