Combining crunchy Fritos, savory ground beef and gooey melted cheddar cheese in one hearty, beloved meal, this Frito Pie recipe mixes up an irresistible dish. It makes for great weeknight dinners, or the ultimate game day spread with bold, Tex-Mex inspired flavors ranging from cheesy, crispy to spicy and hearty. Top your surefire recipe with all your favorite fixings — sour cream, jalapeños, fresh veggies — to make a dish everyone will fight for.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
10 Simple Ingredients: You likely have most of the ingredients in your pantry or fridge.
Crowd-Pleaser: It’s a weeknight and game day favorite with kids and adults alike.
Customizable: You can load it with your favorite taco toppings, and it’s easy to adapt to your dietary preferences.
Fast: Frito pie comes together in under 40 minutes, making it a perfect pick for a weeknight dinner when you need something comforting and don’t want to devote too much time in the kitchen.
Key Ingredients:
What If I Don’t Have Ground Beef: Make this with ground turkey, chicken ground plant-based meat.
Beans: If you don’t have ranch-style beans, you can swap in pinto beans or black beans, but they should be drained and rinsed.
Corn: Use fresh corn kernels if in season for a fresher flavor. Otherwise, canned or frozen corn are both just fine.
Cheese: The classic choice here would be Cheddar cheese, but you can switch out for Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack if you want things spicier. For a cheesier version, you could layer on some Velveeta or queso blanco before baking.
Quantities and instructions are all in the complete list of ingredients in the recipe card below
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Instructions:
Step 1: Preparation
Preheat the Oven:
You want to make sure your oven is hot and ready once your pie is assembled, so it makes sense to preheat to 350°F (175°C) at this point.
Step 2: Layer the Base
Prepare the Fritos:
In a 9×13 inch baking dish, sprinkle ¾ of the Fritos evenly over the bottom. This creates a crunchy layer for the Frito pie.
Step 3: Cook the Meat
Brown the Ground Beef:
Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. To the skillet, add 1 lb ground beef and 1 chopped onion. Sauté until the beef is completely browned and the onion is soft, about 7 to 10 minutes.
Drain the Fat:
Remove excess fat from the pan so the dish isn’t greasy.
Step 4: Season the Meat
Add Taco Seasoning:
Add 1 packet of taco seasoning and stir. Make sure to mix well so that the seasoning is evenly distributed throughout the beef and the onions.
Step 5: Mix in Vegetables
Step to seasoned beef: Add 1 can of diced tomatoes (drained), 1 can of black beans (drained and rinsed), and 1 cup of corn kernels. Mix all the ingredients together properly.
Step 6: Assemble the Pie
Layer the Beef Mixture:
Spread the beef and vegetable mixture over the Fritos in the baking dish. Spread into an even layer making sure it completely covers the base.
Step 7: Add the Cheese
Sprinkle Cheddar Cheese:
Spread 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the beef mixture. The cheese will ooze and become gooey delicious topping.
Step 8: Bake the Frito Pie
Bake:
Cut them into smaller pieces and mix it in with cheese and sauce in a greased baking dish, just as if you were making lasagna!
Step 9: Serve and Garnish
Garnish with Toppings:
Take the Frito pie out from the oven after baking them. Top with the remaining Fritos for added crunch.
Add Your Favorite Toppings:
Serve the Frito pie with your favorite taco toppings like:
Sour cream
Sliced jalapeños
Chopped tomatoes
Shredded lettuce
Chopped cilantro (optional)
Serving Suggestions:
Although Frito Pie can definitely hold its own as a meal, you could serve a few sides alongside to make it an evening meal:
Mexican Rice: A serving of Mexican rice pairs well with the Tex-Mex flavor of the pie.
Refried Beans: Creamy refried beans make this meal even heartier.
Guacamole: Pair with fresh guacamole or chips and salsa for a snack before or with your pie.
Salad: A light green salad with a zesty lime vinaigrette would be a light contrast against the pie’s richness.
Storage and Meal Prep Tips:
Refrigerate: If there are any leftovers of Frito pie, transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in microwave or oven until heated through.
Freeze: Frito pie can be frozen, but do so before adding the top layer of Fritos. Wrap the assembled (but unbaked) pie in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, add the Fritos on top and bake as directed.
Meal Prep Tip: The beef mixture may be prepared ahead and refrigerated for up to 2 days. When you are ready to toss the whole kit and kaboodle together, spread your Fritos, layer beef, and bake!
Recipe Variations:
Chili Frito Pie: Try your favorite chili in place of the taco-seasoned beef for a heartier, spicier version. You could even make this with leftover homemade chili.
Vegetarian Frito Pie: Swap out the ground beef for black beans, pinto beans or a meat substitute, like textured vegetable protein (TVP). Use vegetarian taco seasoning and be sure to use vegetarian-friendly beans.
Spicy Frito Pie: If you’re an aficionado of heat, stir in jalapeños or chipotle peppers into the beef mixture or use spicy taco seasoning. You can also replace the cheddar cheese with pepper jack.
Conclusion:
Frito Pie Recipe {A Tex-Mex favorite!} This is a recipe for a casual dinner at home, or one for a potluck, or one for game day: Whatever you’re making it for, it’ll be a hit. Easy to assemble and flexible for customization, Frito pie is a new family favorite.
Frito Pie
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies (10 ounces), drained
- 1 can ranch-style beans (15 ounces)
- 1 cup corn kernels fresh, canned, or frozen
- 1 bag Fritos (10.25 ounces), divided
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Spread ¾ of the Fritos in a 9x13 inch baking dish to form the base.
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown 1 pound of ground beef and 1 chopped onion for 7-10 minutes. Drain excess fat.
- Add 1 packet of taco seasoning to the cooked beef. Stir to combine.
- Add 1 can of diced tomatoes, 1 can of ranch-style beans, and 1 cup of corn to the seasoned beef. Stir well.
- Pour the beef mixture over the Fritos in the baking dish and spread evenly.
- Sprinkle 1 ½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese over the beef mixture.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven, sprinkle with remaining Fritos, and serve with toppings such as sour cream, jalapeños, or chopped tomatoes.