Frito Pie Recipe

Introduction

Frito Pie is a comforting, flavorful dish that combines savory chili with crunchy Fritos and gooey melted cheese. It’s perfect for a cozy family dinner or casual gathering, offering bold Tex-Mex flavors in every bite.

Ingredients

• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup yellow onion (diced)
• ½ diced green bell pepper (or 2 seeded jalapeno peppers)
• 3 cloves garlic (diced)
• 1 lb. ground beef (85% lean)
• 8 oz. tomato sauce
• 1 (14.5 oz.) can diced tomatoes, drained
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/8 cup masa harina (corn flour)
• 1 (16 oz.) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 Tablespoon cream cheese (softened)
• 2 cups cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 2 cups Fritos
• 1 Tablespoon sugar
• ¾ Tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350° F.
2. Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add diced onions and cook for about 5 minutes until softened. Stir in the diced peppers and garlic, cooking another 2 minutes until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add the ground beef to the pot. Cook and crumble until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess grease if necessary.
4. Step 4: Stir in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and sugar to season the beef mixture well.
5. Step 5: Pour in the tomato sauce and drained diced tomatoes. Mix to combine.
6. Step 6: In a separate bowl, combine masa harina with chicken broth until smooth. Add this mixture to the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, then stir in the kidney beans. Let it cook uncovered for 10–15 minutes until the sauce thickens.
7. Step 7: Swirl in the softened cream cheese to add a creamy texture and balance the spices.
8. Step 8: Transfer the chili into a pie pan or a 9×13 baking dish. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top, then scatter the Fritos on the cheese layer.
9. Step 9: Bake uncovered for 13 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
10. Step 10: Garnish with green onions if desired and serve alongside sour cream. This dish pairs wonderfully with cornbread or corn casserole.

Tips & Variations

• For more heat, use jalapeno peppers instead of green bell peppers.
• Substitute ground turkey for a leaner option.
• Masa harina thickens the chili nicely; if unavailable, cornmeal can be a substitute.
• Add diced jalapenos or hot sauce on top for extra spice.

Storage

Store leftover Frito Pie covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350° F until warmed through to maintain crispiness of the Fritos. Avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Yes, omit the ground beef and add extra beans or vegetables like zucchini and corn. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

What can I use instead of Fritos if I can’t find them?

Tortilla chips or corn chips work well as a crunchy topping if Fritos are unavailable.

Frito Pie Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 552 reviews

• Author: Hailey
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

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Description

Frito Pie is a hearty, comforting casserole that combines savory ground beef chili with crunchy Fritos and melted cheddar cheese. This one-dish meal features a flavorful chili base with onions, peppers, garlic, tomato sauce, kidney beans, and a touch of masa harina for thickening. Baked until bubbly and topped with crispy corn chips and cheese, it’s perfect for casual family dinners or game day gatherings.

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Ingredients

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Chili Base

• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup yellow onion, diced
• ½ diced green bell pepper (or 2 seeded jalapeno peppers)
• 3 cloves garlic, diced
• 1 lb. ground beef (85% lean)
• 8 oz. tomato sauce
• 1 (14.5 oz.) can diced tomatoes, drained
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/8 cup masa harina (corn flour)
• 1 (16 oz.) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 Tablespoon sugar
• ¾ Tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 Tablespoon cream cheese, softened

Topping and Serving

• 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 cups Fritos corn chips

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Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the assembled pie later.
2. Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add diced onions and cook for 5 minutes until softened. Add diced green bell pepper or jalapenos and garlic, cooking for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
3. Cook Ground Beef: Add ground beef to the pot, breaking it up as it browns. Cook until no longer pink, about 7-8 minutes. Drain excess grease if necessary.
4. Add Seasonings: Stir in sugar, chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, and salt to evenly coat the meat mixture.
5. Add Tomato Ingredients: Pour in tomato sauce and drained diced tomatoes, stirring well to combine.
6. Incorporate Masa Harina and Broth: In a separate bowl, mix masa harina with chicken broth until fully combined. Add this mixture to the pot, bring chili to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer.
7. Add Beans and Simmer: Stir in kidney beans and let the chili simmer uncovered for 10-15 minutes, allowing the liquid to thicken and flavors to meld.
8. Blend in Cream Cheese: Swirl in the softened cream cheese, adding creamy richness to balance the spices.
9. Assemble in Baking Dish: Transfer the chili mixture into a pie pan or 9×13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top, followed by the Fritos corn chips.
10. Bake and Rest: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 13 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving.
11. Serve: Optionally garnish with sliced green onions and serve with sour cream, cornbread, or corn casserole for a complete meal.

Notes

• For a spicier dish, use jalapenos instead of green bell pepper.
• Masa harina helps to thicken the chili and gives a subtle corn flavor—ensure it’s mixed well with broth before adding to avoid lumps.
• Drain excess grease from ground beef to keep the dish from becoming too oily.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best texture retention.
• This recipe can be made with ground turkey or plant-based protein for healthier or vegetarian variations.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Casserole
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Frito Pie, Chili Casserole, Comfort Food, Ground Beef Chili, Baked Chili, Tex-Mex