Simple Frito Pie Recipe: Crunchy Comfort in Every Bite

Comfort food reaches new heights with this classic Frito pie that brings together crunchy corn chips and hearty, spiced flavors.

Layers of crispy Fritos create a perfect base for rich, seasoned ground beef and zesty toppings.

Melted cheese cascades over the warm filling, creating a mouthwatering symphony of textures and tastes.

Regional kitchens across Texas have embraced this simple yet satisfying dish for generations.

Chili, sour cream, and fresh chopped onions transform these corn chips into a legendary street food sensation.

Each bite promises a delightful explosion of southwestern-inspired goodness.

You won’t be able to resist diving into this irresistible culinary creation that celebrates bold, unpretentious flavors.

Reasons You’ll Love Classic Frito Pie

• Quick and Easy Comfort Food: Whip up this crowd-pleasing Frito Pie with minimal prep and simple ingredients that come together in a snap.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for game days, potlucks, or family dinners, this dish satisfies everyone from kids to adults with its hearty and flavorful layers.
• Customizable Toppings: Jazz up the pie with your favorite taco toppings, letting each person create their own personalized flavor experience with fresh additions like sour cream, jalapeños, or crisp lettuce.
• One-Dish Dish: Eliminate multiple pots and pans with this convenient baked casserole that combines protein, veggies, and crunchy Fritos in a single, easy-to-serve dish.

What You Need for Frito Pie

Frito Pie Ingredients:

• Fritos: Crunchy corn chips that form the base of this delightful pie.
• Ground Beef: Hearty protein that creates the main flavor of the dish.
• Cheddar Cheese: Melty and sharp cheese that adds rich creaminess.

• Onion, Diced Tomatoes, Corn, Beans: Fresh vegetables and beans that bring color and nutrition to the pie.

• Taco Seasoning, Sour Cream, Jalapeños, Tomatoes, Lettuce: Zesty seasonings and classic taco toppings that add extra flavor and freshness.

How to Assemble Frito Pie the Easy Way

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350°F (175°C) and get ready for a flavor explosion.

Step 2: Create The Crunchy Foundation

Spread a generous layer of Fritos across the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish, creating a crispy base.

Step 3: Brown The Protein

In a large skillet, cook ground beef and onions together, breaking meat into small crumbles until completely cooked.

Drain away any extra grease.

Step 4: Boost The Flavor

Sprinkle in taco seasoning and stir thoroughly to coat the meat with delicious spices.

Step 5: Build The Hearty Mixture

• Diced tomatoes
• Beans
• Corn

Stir everything until perfectly combined and simmering.

Step 6: Layer The Goodness

Pour the meat mixture over the Fritos, spreading evenly to cover the entire crunchy base.

Step 7: Cheese It Up

Shower the top with shredded cheddar cheese, covering every inch.

Step 8: Bake To Perfection

Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until cheese transforms into a bubbly, golden blanket.

Step 9: Dress And Serve

• Sour cream
• Chopped jalapeños
• Fresh tomatoes
• Crisp lettuce

Dive in and enjoy your southwestern comfort feast!

Tips for Flavorful Frito Pie Layers

• Remove as much grease as possible from ground beef to prevent a soggy Frito pie and ensure a crispy base.
• Make your own blend or adjust store-bought seasoning to control sodium and spice levels for personalized flavor.
• Reserve some Fritos to sprinkle on top just before serving, maintaining their crunch and providing textural contrast.
• Spread Fritos in a single, even layer to create a stable foundation that holds the meat mixture without becoming mushy.
• Replace ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for lighter, vegetarian-friendly versions of this classic dish.

Best Way to Keep Frito Pie Fresh

• Store leftover Frito Pie in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Preheat oven to 350°F, place pie in a baking dish, cover with foil to prevent drying, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through.
• Transfer a portion to a microwave-safe plate, heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly and maintain crispness.
• Sprinkle fresh Fritos on top after reheating to restore the crunchy texture and add a fresh layer of flavor.

What Goes Well with Frito Pie

• Hearty Red Wine Pairing: Select a bold Zinfandel or Malbec with robust flavor profiles that complement the spicy, meaty Frito Pie, enhancing the rich beef and zesty taco seasoning.
• Cool and Tangy Beverage Match: Serve a crisp Mexican beer like Modelo Especial or Corona with a lime wedge, cutting through the dish's richness and providing refreshing contrast.
• Zesty Salsa Verde Sidekick: Create a homemade verde salsa with tomatillos, cilantro, and jalapeños to drizzle over the pie, adding bright acidity and extra kick to the comfort food.
• Creamy Cooling Accent: Prepare a quick cilantro-lime crema by mixing sour cream, fresh cilantro, lime zest, and a pinch of salt, balancing the pie's spicy and crunchy elements with smooth, herbal notes.

Creative Frito Pie Variations

• Vegetarian Frito Pie: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or black beans for a protein-packed meatless version that maintains the classic flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use certified gluten-free corn chips and verify that taco seasoning is gluten-free to create a safe alternative for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Spicy Southwest Remix: Add diced green chiles, increase taco seasoning, and top with pepper jack cheese for a bolder, more intense flavor experience.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Swap Fritos for crushed pork rinds or cauliflower rice as a base, reducing carbohydrate content while keeping the essential casserole structure.

FAQs

• Is Frito Pie a traditional Tex-Mex dish?

Yes, Frito Pie originated in Texas and is a classic comfort food popular in the southwestern United States, often served at sporting events, potlucks, and family gatherings.

• Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Use gluten-free Fritos or corn chips and ensure your taco seasoning is gluten-free to make this dish suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.

• What type of ground meat works best for this recipe?

While ground beef is traditional, you can easily substitute ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based ground meat for a different flavor profile and dietary preference.

• How spicy is this Frito Pie?

The spice level depends on your taco seasoning. You can control the heat by choosing mild seasoning or adding extra jalapeños for more kick. Always taste and adjust to your preference.

Frito Pie Recipe

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4.6 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Frito Pie delivers classic Southwestern comfort straight from Texas kitchens, blending crunchy corn chips with spicy chili and melted cheese. Hungry souls will discover a simple yet irresistible dish that satisfies casual cravings with bold, rustic flavors.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
• 1 bag 10.25 ounces (291 grams) Fritos
• 1 1/2 cups (170 grams) shredded cheddar cheese

Supporting Ingredients:

• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 can 10 ounces (283 grams) diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 1 can 15 ounces (425 grams) ranch-style beans

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 cup (145 grams) corn kernels, fresh, canned, or frozen

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to a moderate temperature of 350°F, ensuring an even cooking environment.
2. Create a crunchy foundation by arranging a generous layer of corn chips across the bottom of a rectangular baking dish.
3. In a large skillet, transform raw ground beef into a savory mixture by browning it with finely chopped onions, thoroughly cooking until no pink remains.
4. Eliminate excess grease from the meat mixture, maintaining a lean and flavorful base.
5. Infuse the meat with robust taco seasoning, stirring vigorously to distribute the spices evenly throughout the protein.
6. Enhance the beef mixture by incorporating hearty diced tomatoes, protein-rich beans, and sweet corn kernels, blending the ingredients into a cohesive filling.
7. Carefully cascade the seasoned beef mixture over the chip foundation, distributing it uniformly to ensure every bite contains maximum flavor.
8. Crown the casserole with a blanket of shredded cheddar cheese, allowing it to melt and create a golden, appetizing surface.
9. Transfer the assembled dish to the preheated oven, allowing it to bake until the cheese transforms into a bubbling, molten layer, approximately 15-20 minutes.
10. Garnish the finished pie with remaining crisp corn chips and optional embellishments like cool sour cream, fiery jalapeños, fresh tomato chunks, and crisp lettuce shreds.

Notes

• Customize the heat level by adjusting the taco seasoning or adding more jalapeños for spice lovers who crave an extra kick.
• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles to create a lighter, leaner version of the classic Frito Pie.
• Use low-sodium taco seasoning and drain beans to reduce overall salt content for those watching their sodium intake.
• Prepare the dish ahead of time by assembling everything except the top Fritos and cheese, then refrigerate until ready to bake for convenient meal planning.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 460
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg