Let’s talk about Frito Pie—the ultimate comfort food that’s crunchy, cheesy, and downright irresistible. If you’ve never had it, imagine a hearty chili loaded with melted cheese, all piled onto a bed of crispy Fritos. Every bite is a perfect mix of textures and bold flavors, making it a go-to meal for game days, casual dinners, or whenever you’re craving something fun and satisfying.
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This dish is easy to whip up, totally customizable, and comes together with just a few simple ingredients. Plus, it’s a one-pan wonder—meaning less time cleaning and more time enjoying! Trust me, this Classic Frito Pie will be a staple in your comfort food lineup.
Why You’ll Love Classic Frito Pie
Quick & Easy: Made with just a handful of ingredients, this dish comes together in no time!
Budget-Friendly: Uses pantry staples like canned chili, cheese, and Fritos—no fancy ingredients required.
Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for parties, family dinners, or even as a fun build-your-own meal bar.
Customizable: Add your favorite toppings to make it your own—think jalapeños, sour cream, or diced onions.
Minimal Cleanup: One pan, minimal mess. Need I say more?
Ingredients in Classic Frito Pie
Here’s what you need to make this crunchy, cheesy masterpiece:
Fritos: The star of the show! These crunchy corn chips add the perfect texture and a slightly salty kick.
Chili: Use your favorite canned chili, or make a homemade batch for extra flavor. You can go with classic beef chili or a vegetarian option.
Cheddar Cheese: The melt factor! Sharp cheddar gives the best flavor, but feel free to mix in some Monterey Jack or pepper jack for a little spice.
Onions: Diced onions add a fresh bite and balance out the richness of the dish.
Jalapeños: For a spicy kick! Fresh or pickled jalapeños work great.
Sour Cream: Adds a cool, creamy contrast to the bold flavors.
Green Onions: A fresh garnish to brighten everything up.
(Note: The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Instructions
Let’s dive into the steps to create this classic dish:
Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to get it ready for baking.
Layer the Fritos: Spread half of the Fritos in the bottom of a baking dish. This creates the crispy base.
Add the Chili: Pour the chili evenly over the chips, spreading it out to cover them completely.
Sprinkle the Cheese: Generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the chili. This melts into gooey perfection.
Bake Until Bubbling: Place the dish in the oven and bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbling.
Top It Off: Remove from the oven and sprinkle with diced onions, jalapeños, and green onions. Add a dollop of sour cream if you like.
Serve & Enjoy: Scoop onto plates or serve directly from the pan for a casual, fun meal!
How to Serve Classic Frito Pie
Straight from the Pan: The classic way! Just grab a spoon and dig in.
In a Bag (Walking Taco Style): Slice open a bag of Fritos, spoon the chili and cheese on top, and eat it right out of the bag—perfect for game days or camping.
With Extra Toppings: Customize with diced tomatoes, avocado, hot sauce, or crumbled bacon for extra flavor.
Additional Tips
Make It Spicier: Add extra jalapeños, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce to the chili.
Switch Up the Cheese: Try Colby Jack, pepper jack, or a Mexican cheese blend for different flavors.
Use Homemade Chili: If you have time, a slow-simmered homemade chili makes this dish even better.
Store Leftovers Right: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven for the best texture.
Make It a Meal: Serve with a simple side salad or a bowl of guacamole and chips.
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I use homemade chili?
A1: Absolutely! Homemade chili takes this dish to the next level.
Q2: Can I make this ahead of time?
A2: Yes! Assemble everything except the Fritos, then add them just before baking.
Q3: How do I store leftovers?
A3: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Q4: Can I freeze Frito Pie?
A4: You can freeze the chili and cheese mixture, but add fresh Fritos when reheating to keep them crispy.
Q5: What’s the best way to reheat this dish?
A5: Bake at 350°F for about 10 minutes, or microwave individual portions for quick heating.
Q6: Can I make this vegetarian?
A6: Yes! Swap the beef chili for a vegetarian bean chili.
Q7: What are good side dishes for Frito Pie?
A7: A fresh salad, coleslaw, or even cornbread pairs well with this dish.
Q8: Can I add other toppings?
A8: Absolutely! Try black olives, diced tomatoes, avocado, or hot sauce.
Q9: Can I double the recipe?
A9: Yes! Use a larger baking dish and double the ingredients for a bigger batch.
Q10: Can I make this in a slow cooker?
A10: Yes! Keep the chili warm in a slow cooker and assemble individual portions as needed.
Final Thoughts
Classic Frito Pie is comfort food at its finest—simple, satisfying, and packed with flavor. Whether you’re making it for a family dinner, a game day feast, or just because you’re craving something crispy and cheesy, this dish is sure to hit the spot. Try it once, and I promise it’ll be a repeat favorite!
Print
Classic Frito Pie
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Frito Pie is a comforting, cheesy casserole packed with seasoned ground beef, enchilada sauce, black beans, and crunchy Fritos. Perfect for an easy weeknight meal or game-day gathering!
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, smashed and sliced
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 cup red enchilada sauce
- 1 cup corn
- 1 cup black beans
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 bag Fritos
- 3 cups shredded cheese
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Add olive oil to the skillet. Once hot, add the diced onion and cook for about 3 minutes until translucent. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
- Return the ground beef to the skillet. Stir in the taco seasoning, Cajun seasoning, enchilada sauce, corn, black beans, and diced tomatoes. Simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Spread half of the Fritos along the bottom of a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheese over the chips.
- Pour the skillet mixture over the Fritos and cheese layer. Top with the remaining Fritos and shredded cheese.
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Add olive oil to the skillet. Once hot, add the diced onion and cook for about 3 minutes until translucent. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
- Return the ground beef to the skillet. Stir in the taco seasoning, Cajun seasoning, enchilada sauce, corn, black beans, and diced tomatoes. Simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Spread half of the Fritos along the bottom of a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheese over the chips.
- Pour the skillet mixture over the Fritos and cheese layer. Top with the remaining Fritos and shredded cheese.
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Add olive oil to the skillet. Once hot, add the diced onion and cook for about 3 minutes until translucent. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
- Return the ground beef to the skillet. Stir in the taco seasoning, Cajun seasoning, enchilada sauce, corn, black beans, and diced tomatoes. Simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Spread half of the Fritos along the bottom of a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheese over the chips.
- Pour the skillet mixture over the Fritos and cheese layer. Top with the remaining Fritos and shredded cheese.
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Add olive oil to the skillet. Once hot, add the diced onion and cook for about 3 minutes until translucent. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
- Return the ground beef to the skillet. Stir in the taco seasoning, Cajun seasoning, enchilada sauce, corn, black beans, and diced tomatoes. Simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Spread half of the Fritos along the bottom of a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheese over the chips.
- Pour the skillet mixture over the Fritos and cheese layer. Top with the remaining Fritos and shredded cheese.
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Add olive oil to the skillet. Once hot, add the diced onion and cook for about 3 minutes until translucent. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
- Return the ground beef to the skillet. Stir in the taco seasoning, Cajun seasoning, enchilada sauce, corn, black beans, and diced tomatoes. Simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Spread half of the Fritos along the bottom of a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheese over the chips.
- Pour the skillet mixture over the Fritos and cheese layer. Top with the remaining Fritos and shredded cheese.
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 65mg