Frito Pie
Frito Pie is a meal that appeals to both kids and adults. With crunchy corn chips, flavorful ground beef, beans, and melted cheese, it’s a quick and filling option for game day, casual dinners, or late-night cravings. It’s perfect for sharing at potlucks or whenever you need a crowd-pleasing dish.
This dish is loved for its fun, quick preparation and bold Tex-Mex flavor. While it’s typically served in the bag at fairs and sports events, it’s just as tasty when served in a bowl with your favorite toppings. The mix of textures—crunchy, cheesy, and saucy—is what makes it so addictive.
One of the best things about Frito Pie is how versatile it is. Add jalapeños for some heat, sour cream for a creamy touch, or guacamole to cool it down. It’s a great “build-your-own” meal for family dinners or casual get-togethers, and it always disappears quickly.
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Ingredients
- Ground beef – Use 80/20 ground beef for the best flavor. Leaner beef will be dry. Drain excess fat after browning.
- Onion – Yellow or brown onions work well. White onion works too. Red onion is too sweet for this dish.
- Taco seasoning Low-sodium recommended so you can control the salt level. I look for a salt-free, sugar-free blend, but use what you have on hand.
- Pinto beans – Rinse well or the liquid will make the casserole cloudy. Black beans work as a substitute.
- Red enchilada sauce – Mild or medium both work, depending on your heat preference. Don’t substitute with green enchilada sauce—it’s a different flavor.
- Fritos – Save 1 cup for topping. Add the topping Fritos just before serving so they stay crunchy. Mixing them all in early makes them soggy.
- Cheddar cheese – I recommend shredding your own cheese. Pre-shredded cheese is coated with anti-caking agents that make it gritty and prevent smooth melting.
Optional Toppings
- Diced white onion – Adds fresh crunch.
- Sliced scallions – Or green onions. Use both white and green parts.
- Pickled jalapeños – Add tangy heat. Drain them before adding.
- Sour cream– Full-fat sour cream works best.
- Pico de Gallo – Drain off excess liquid before adding so it doesn’t make the casserole watery.
How to Make Frito Pie
Scroll down for the full recipe card with exact measurements and printable instructions.
Start by heating a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon or spatula, until browned and fully cooked, about 5 to 7 minutes.
Drain any excess grease from the skillet. If using very lean beef, you can add a tablespoon of olive oil to keep the mixture moist.
Stir in the diced onion and continue cooking for 4 to 5 minutes, or until the onion is softened and translucent.
Add the taco seasoning, pinto beans, and enchilada sauce. Stir everything together until well combined.
Reduce the heat slightly and let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through and slightly thickened.
Place a generous handful of Fritos corn chips into individual serving bowls or onto plates.
Spoon the hot beef and bean mixture over the Fritos.
Top with shredded Cheddar cheese while the filling is still hot so the cheese begins to melt.
Add any desired toppings such as diced onion, sliced scallions, sour cream, jalapeños, or other favorite garnishes.
Finish with a few extra Fritos on top for added crunch. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy!
Chef Jenn’s Tips
- While sharp Cheddar offers the most flavor, Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack cheese also work well.
- For a portable option, serve it directly in a small Fritos bag—just cut it open and spoon in the beef mixture!
- Frito Pie is a fun dish for parties—let everyone add their own toppings!
Make It A Meal
Frito Pie is a hearty meal on its own, but you can pair it with a fresh green salad or Mexican-style corn to round it out. For a refreshing drink, serve it with homemade lemonade or hibiscus iced tea.
Storage
Store the leftover beef and bean mixture in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat and serve over fresh Fritos for that perfect crunch. To keep the chips crispy, add them just before eating.
Frito Pie
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 cup onion diced
- 1 ounce taco seasoning
- 30 ounces pinto beans drained and rinsed
- 19 ounces red enchilada sauce
- 18 ounces fritos
- 2 cups Cheddar cheese shredded
Optional toppings
- white onion diced
- scallions sliced
- jalapeños pickled
- sour cream
- pico de gallo
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned (about 5–7 minutes). Drain any excess grease. If your beef is too lean, add a tablespoon of olive oil to the pan.
- Stir in the diced onion and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes, or until the onion becomes soft and translucent.
- Add the taco seasoning, pinto beans, and enchilada sauce to the skillet. Stir everything together and let it simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Scoop a handful of Fritos into serving bowls or plates.
- Spoon the hot beef and bean mixture generously over the Fritos.
- Sprinkle shredded Cheddar cheese on top and add any optional toppings like diced onion, scallions, sour cream, or jalapeños.
- Add a few extra Fritos on top for crunch, serve hot, and enjoy!
Notes
Chef Jenn’s Tips
- For extra crunch, layer Fritos on top just before serving.
- While sharp Cheddar offers the most flavor, Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack cheese also work well.
- For a portable option, serve it directly in a small Fritos bag—just cut it open and spoon in the beef mixture!
- Frito Pie is a fun dish for parties—let everyone add their own toppings!
Nutrition
A Note on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed.