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
- Onion – Diced. Yellow or brown onions work well.
- Taco seasoning – Low sodium recommended.
- Pinto beans – Drained and rinsed.
- Red enchilada sauce
- Fritos – Save 1 cup for topping.
- Cheddar cheese – Shredded.
Optional Toppings
- Diced white onion
- Sliced scallions – Or green onions.
- Pickled jalapeños
- Sour cream
- Pico de Gallo
How to Make Frito Pie
- 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!
Step-By-Step Process
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!
Recommended
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.