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Frito Pie
Enjoy this simple Frito pie with hearty ground beef, gooey cheese, crunchy Fritos, and lots of fantastic flavors!
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This 30-minute Frito pie is an easy and hearty meal for busy nights. This recipe features deliciously seasoned ground beef, beans, gooey cheese, and satisfyingly crunchy corn chips, all baked to yummy perfection. Quick, easy, and filling, Frito pie is a great meal for the whole family.
Frito Pie Ingredients
You’ll need:
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 1 onion, diced finely
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 packet of taco seasoning
- 1 cup chili sauce
- 1 cup medium salsa
- 1 (15-ounce) can of kidney beans, rinsed
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1½ cups Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 1½ cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4 cups corn chips
Substitutions and Additions
VEGGIES: There are so many veggies you can add to this recipe, like tomatoes, green onions, bell peppers, corn, or jalapenos.
TOPPINGS: Everyone can customize their serving with different toppings, like guacamole, green onions, sour cream, shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, salsa, and queso.
CHEESE: Swap out Monterey Jack for a Mexican blend. This dish would also be delicious topped with Mexican crema.
BEANS: You can substitute kidney beans for chili beans, black beans, or pinto beans in this recipe.
CHILI: You can also use canned or leftover chili in this recipe.
How to Make This Frito Pie Recipe
STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 400°F, and spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
PRO TIP: This is a great recipe to make when you have leftover chili or frozen ground beef that you want to use up.
STEP TWO: Cook and crumble the beef until no longer pink in a large skillet over medium heat. Drain the grease, then return the beef to the skillet. Add the onions and garlic, continuing to cook for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the onions are soft and tender.
PRO TIP: If you want to add more veggies to this recipe, add them in Step Two to cook them.
STEP THREE: Add the taco seasoning, chili sauce, salsa, kidney beans, chili powder, pepper, salt, onion powder, and garlic powder. Stir well and allow it to simmer for 3 to 5 minutes.
STEP FOUR: Then, pour the beef mixture into the greased dish, using a spatula to spread the mixture evenly.
STEP FIVE: Top the meat mixture with half of the Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese, then sprinkle corn chips on top of the shredded cheese. Top the corn chips with the remaining cheese.
STEP SIX: Place the baking dish in the oven and cook for 10 to 12 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted.
PRO TIP: Each oven is different, so check on the Frito pie earlier in the cooking time, so it doesn’t overcook.
How To Serve
Serve this satisfying Frito pie with your favorite toppings. If you’d like to add more to the table, serve it alongside Mexican corn on the cob or Mexican layered salad for a filling and flavorful meal.
Storage
IN THE FRIDGE: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
IN THE FREEZER: To freeze, follow the recipe, adding the cheese but leaving off the chips. Once fully cooled, cover in plastic or foil and freeze for up to three months.
REHEATING INSTRUCTIONS: Reheat this Frito pie in the oven or individual servings in the microwave.
Satisfying and packed with flavor, this Frito pie is a delicious and hearty dish that the whole table will devour. Filled with seasoned ground beef, lots of gooey cheese, and crunchy Fritos, this Frito pie will become a fast favorite in your household.
FAQ:
Q? Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
A: This recipe can easily be made vegetarian by swapping out ground beef for more beans. You can add more kidney beans, or a mix depending on your preferences.
Q? Is this dish spicy?
A: Frito pie isn’t spicy, but you can add spice to it if you like. Try adding hot sauce and jalapenos if you want some spice in this dish.
Q? Can I freeze this recipe?
A: You can easily freeze this Frito pie. Once you’ve added the cheese to the top of the ground beef mixture, leave off the corn chips, wrap the dish in plastic or foil, and freeze for up to three months.
Frito Pie
Enjoy this simple Frito pie with hearty ground beef, gooey cheese, crunchy Fritos, and lots of fantastic flavors!
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 onion diced finely
- 2 teaspoons garlic minced
- 1 package taco seasoning
- 1 cup chili sauce
- 1 cup medium salsa
- 15 ounce kidney beans rinsed
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1½ cups Monterey jack cheese shredded
- 1½ cups cheddar cheese shredded
- 4 cups corn chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spray a 9×13-inch 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 to 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 to 5 minutes.
- Pour the meat mixture into the greased baking dish. Use a spatula to spread the mixture evenly.
- Top the 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 to 12 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted.
- Serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Notes
Ground beef can be browned ahead of time and stored in the fridge or freezer so that it is ready to add to your recipe to save time.
Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to check your Frito pie at the lower end of the recommended baking time.
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