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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to a moderate temperature of 350°F, ensuring an even cooking environment.
- Create a crunchy foundation by arranging a generous layer of corn chips across the bottom of a rectangular baking dish.
- 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.
- Eliminate excess grease from the meat mixture, maintaining a lean and flavorful base.
- Infuse the meat with robust taco seasoning, stirring vigorously to distribute the spices evenly throughout the protein.
- Enhance the beef mixture by incorporating hearty diced tomatoes, protein-rich beans, and sweet corn kernels, blending the ingredients into a cohesive filling.
- Carefully cascade the seasoned beef mixture over the chip foundation, distributing it uniformly to ensure every bite contains maximum flavor.
- Crown the casserole with a blanket of shredded cheddar cheese, allowing it to melt and create a golden, appetizing surface.
- 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.
- 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