Frito Pie Recipe
Frito Pie is the ultimate comfort food that brings bold Tex-Mex flavors to your table in the simplest way possible. The marriage of crunchy corn chips, seasoned beef, gooey cheese, and savory toppings creates a dish that is both satisfying and easy to make. Perfect for casual family dinners or gatherings, Frito Pie delivers a combination of textures and flavors that is both hearty and delicious.
Ingredients Breakdown
The beauty of Frito Pie lies in its rich and straightforward ingredients, each playing a crucial role in creating a flavorful and satisfying dish. The ground beef, seasoned with taco seasoning and chili powder, provides a savory backbone, absorbing all the saucy goodness while retaining its slightly crumbly texture. Crispy Fritos corn chips act as the perfect base, offering a delightful contrast to the juicy beef and soft cheese, while maintaining their crunch as they soak up the flavors. Kidney beans contribute additional heartiness with their protein-packed, creamy texture, balancing the bold, seasoned beef and zesty tomatoes. The shredded Mexican cheese blend, a mix of cheddar, Monterey Jack, and sometimes pepper jack, melts into a golden, gooey topping that holds the dish together and adds layers of complex flavor. Finally, optional toppings like sour cream, green onions, or jalapeños bring fresh, zesty notes, cutting through the richness of the cheese and beef, making each bite truly satisfying.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making Frito Pie is straightforward but requires some attention to detail to achieve the best result. Follow these steps for a foolproof dish.
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and preparing your 9 x 13-inch baking dish with a light grease.
Browning the beef and onions:
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it browns and the diced onions soften. The beef should turn a rich brown color, and the onions will become translucent, adding a slight sweetness to the meat. Be sure to drain off any excess fat to avoid greasiness.
Adding taco seasoning, tomatoes, and beans:
Once the beef and onions are cooked, add taco seasoning, chili powder, and water. Bring this mixture to a gentle boil, letting the spices bloom in the heat, enhancing their flavor. Reduce the heat and allow the mixture to thicken slightly before stirring in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans, and corn kernels. Let it simmer for another five minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Layering with Fritos and cheese:
Now comes the fun part! Layer 4 cups of Fritos corn chips at the bottom of the greased baking dish, ensuring even coverage. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheese over the chips to start building your delicious layers. Pour the beef mixture over this, spreading it out evenly. Finish by adding the remaining shredded cheese over the top.
Baking and final garnishing tips:
Place the dish in your preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and is bubbly. Once out of the oven, garnish with the remaining Fritos corn chips and any additional toppings like sliced green onions or a dollop of sour cream. These final touches not only make the dish visually appealing but add that extra layer of flavor.
Recipe Tips & Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing the right cheese blend for maximum melt:
For the best results, opt for a blend that includes cheeses known for their meltability, like cheddar or Monterey Jack. Avoid pre-shredded cheese if possible, as it often contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting.
How to prevent the Fritos from becoming soggy:
To maintain the crunchiness of the Fritos, layer them at the last minute before serving or bake them separately and add them on top just before serving.
Substitution ideas for different flavors or dietary needs:
If you want a lighter version, ground turkey can be used instead of beef, and black beans can replace kidney beans. For a vegetarian version, skip the meat entirely and bulk up the dish with more beans and vegetables.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, Frito Pie can be prepped ahead of time. Assemble the dish up until the baking stage, cover it, and refrigerate for up to a day. When ready, simply bake and garnish.
What is the best way to store leftovers?
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When reheating, consider adding fresh chips to restore some crunch.
Can I make this vegetarian or vegan?
Absolutely! Use plant-based meat substitutes or just add extra beans and veggies for a satisfying vegetarian option. Opt for vegan cheese and sour cream to make the dish entirely plant-based.
What to Serve With This Recipe
Frito Pie is a rich and flavorful dish on its own, but pairing it with light and fresh sides will balance the meal.
Fresh salad with a zesty lime vinaigrette:
The crispness of a fresh green salad dressed with a tangy lime vinaigrette will cut through the richness of the pie, making it a perfect accompaniment.
Mexican rice or cilantro-lime rice:
A side of seasoned rice complements the Tex-Mex flavors of the Frito Pie without overpowering it. The subtle flavor of cilantro-lime rice adds a refreshing touch.
Guacamole or a side of sliced avocados:
Creamy avocado or guacamole provides a rich, cooling contrast to the spiciness of the Frito Pie. The buttery texture is a perfect complement to the crunchy and cheesy layers.
Variations of Frito Pie
Frito Pie is versatile, and you can easily adapt it to suit your tastes or experiment with new flavors.
Spicy Frito Pie: If you like your food with a kick, add diced jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce to the beef mixture. You can also mix in some pepper jack cheese for extra heat.
Frito Pie Casserole:
For a heartier, more filling version, try making a deeper dish casserole. Layer the ingredients in a larger dish, and bake for longer, ensuring all the layers are warmed through.
Vegetarian Frito Pie:
Swap out the beef for plant-based proteins or load up on additional beans, veggies, and tofu crumbles. This version will be just as satisfying while catering to vegetarian diets.
Elevate your Frito Pie presentation by adding garnishes and serving it in a way that enhances both the look and taste.
Garnish with chopped cilantro, sliced avocado, or a dollop of sour cream. These fresh, vibrant toppings bring color and added flavor. For serving, you can either scoop portions directly from the casserole dish or create individual servings in bowls, topping each with fresh Fritos for added crunch. This way, everyone gets their perfect serving of cheesy, crunchy goodness!
Ingredients
9.25 ounces Fritos® corn chips, divided
1 pound lean ground beef
1 onion, finely diced
1 packet taco seasoning (1 ounce) or 3 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning
1 tablespoon chili powder
½ cup water
10 ounces canned diced tomatoes with chilies (such as Rotel) or salsa
1 ½ cups tomato sauce
1 can (15 ounces) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend, divided (about 8 ounces)
¼ cup sliced green onions
Sour cream, for serving (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with the diced onions until the beef is browned and the onions are softened. Drain off any excess fat, then add the taco seasoning, chili powder, and water. Stir well, bringing the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and allow it to simmer until the sauce thickens slightly.
Stir in the canned diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, corn, and kidney beans. Let the mixture simmer for another 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
Arrange 4 cups of Fritos® corn chips at the bottom of the prepared baking dish, spreading them evenly. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded Mexican cheese over the chips.
Pour the beef mixture over the chips and cheese layer, spreading it out evenly. Top with the remaining cheese.
Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Once baked, garnish with the remaining Fritos® corn chips and sliced green onions. Serve with a dollop of sour cream if desired, and enjoy!
Frito Pie Recipe
Ingredients
- 9.25 ounces Fritos® corn chips divided
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 onion finely diced
- 1 packet taco seasoning 1 ounce or 3 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- ½ cup water
- 10 ounces canned diced tomatoes with chilies such as Rotel or salsa
- 1 ½ cups tomato sauce
- 1 can 15 ounces red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup frozen corn kernels thawed
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend divided (about 8 ounces)
- ¼ cup sliced green onions
- Sour cream for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with the diced onions until the beef is browned and the onions are softened. Drain off any excess fat, then add the taco seasoning, chili powder, and water. Stir well, bringing the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and allow it to simmer until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Stir in the canned diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, corn, and kidney beans. Let the mixture simmer for another 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Arrange 4 cups of Fritos® corn chips at the bottom of the prepared baking dish, spreading them evenly. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded Mexican cheese over the chips.
- Pour the beef mixture over the chips and cheese layer, spreading it out evenly. Top with the remaining cheese.
- Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Once baked, garnish with the remaining Fritos® corn chips and sliced green onions. Serve with a dollop of sour cream if desired, and enjoy!