Zesty Frito Pie

Frito Pie, a delicious family favorite casserole loaded with ground beef, salsa, beans, corn and of course Fritos topped with melted cheese!

 

What is Frito Pie?

For starters, Frito Pie isn’t really a pie in the traditional sense. There is no pie crust in this recipe! Save the pie crust for a sweet recipe.

Frito Pie Casserole is loaded with seasoned ground beef, beans, corn, salsa, and chili sauce. It’s spicy with a hint of sweet giving this recipe the PERFECT balance of flavors.

Ultimately Frito Pie is a comfort food. It’s a hearty casserole for young and old that’s timeless.

Frito Pie Ingredients

This recipe uses simple ingredients to make an easy dinner for busy weeknights or group appetizer for football games. All easily found at your local grocery store.

• Ground Beef- You can also use ground chicken or turkey. I do use a lean ground beef, so sometimes this calls for a small amount of vegetable oil or other neutral oil.
• Corn– I used canned, but frozen or even fresh works too. If frozen, make sure it is thawed.
• Kidney beans– canned works great because they are already softened but make sure to drain and rinse. Chili beans, pinto beans, black beans
• Salsa- Use your favorite! I do prefer a thick and chunky salsa or pico for this one.
• Chili sauce- I used Heinz Chili Sauce which is a thick tomato based sauce with a little seasoning. You can substitute chili sauce with plain tomato paste or sauce with a tablespoon of lemon juice. It is actually sweet and smoky rather than hot, like the name might indicate. Some folks prefer to use enchilada sauce, which is another zesty option but a little thinner so reduce the amount to just 1/2 cup. In a pinch, use plain tomato sauce, but then increase the chili seasonings.
• Taco Seasoning– make your own or use a packet! One packet equals about 2 tablespoons. You can also use a chili seasoning.
• Garlic- For this recipe, I go bottled to save time, but it equals about 1 garlic clove fresh.
• Shredded Cheese– Pre-shredded cheese is such a time saver, but shredding fresh off the block will result in a creamier texture. A Mexican blend of pepper jack, monterey jack and cheddar are my top preferences for this dish.
• Chili Flavored Fritos Corn Chips– or any crunchy corn chips, even tortilla style or tortilla strips. Bite-sized tends to work best.

Variations

There are plenty of ways for you to make this original frito pie recipe your own. Here are a few suggestions.

• Vegetables – Feel free to throw in some extra veggies. Chopped yellow onion, red onions, bell peppers or rotel tomatoes would be great additions.
• Leftover chili – This recipe is a great way to use up leftover homemade chili. Instead of buying the canned chili, you can use a hearty chili that you already have in the fridge.
• Meat – Use ground chicken or ground turkey instead of ground beef mixture.
• Spice it up – If you like things a little spicier, try adding some chili powder or cayenne pepper to bring some heat

How to Make Frito Pie

This meal is so easy, it’s perfect for any night of the week!

1. Prepare skillet. Start with a cast iron skillet but make sure it can also go into the oven. Otherwise you can use a regular frying pan and then transfer it to an oven-safe casserole dish. Coat the baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. Brown the ground beef over medium-high heat until no longer pink, and when I say brown, I mean get a nice crust on it over high heat. Depending on the beef, you might need to drain it. Then add the garlic and cook for another minute or so.
3. Add remaining ingredients. Add the corn, beans, sauces and seasoning, heating through.
4. Top with cheese and chips and bake. Lastly, top with cheese and chips and bake until cheese is melted.
5. Add garnishes. Finish with your favorite garnishes.

Favorite Toppings

The variety of toppings here are endless, just think about your favorite taco toppings. Here are some suggestions to get your gears turning:

What to Serve with Frito Pie

Spice it up or keep it mild. Anyway you like it will be a winner recipe.
If you want a little heartier dish, don’t hesitate to serve with some white rice or even Spanish rice.

Just place rice on the plate and top with Frito Pie. It’s delish! I guarantee that no one will complain with full bellies either.

Storage and Freezing

You can always cook up the ground beef ahead of time. The meat mixture is easily made even the day before and can easily be baked when ready to eat. Great for meal prep and easy dinners.

Just add the Frito chips and cheese when ready to bake and you will be good to go! I don’t suggest adding them ahead of time or they get soggy.

How to Store

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just keep in mind that things might get a little soggy upon reheating.

You can easily reheat Frito Pie in single servings in the microwave on medium power for a minute or two. You can also heat larger portions in the oven, but keep a close eye and it never hurts to add more cheese!

Can I Freeze Frito Pie?

You can freeze this casserole, but again, don’t add corn chips until you bake it. They get mushy and no one wants soggy chips!

Why You Should Brown Ground Beef

Just watch the video- it’s easier.

More Taco Inspired Recipes

It doesn’t have to be Tuesday to have a taco night! Check out some of our other favorite taco-inspired recipes.