This Chili Cheese Frito Pie is one of those easy to make family pleasing kind of meals that appeals to all ages. A dollop of sour cream on top just before serving is all it needs before devouring.
Chili Cheese Frito Pie Recipe
What is frito pie? It's basically a casserole that incorporates a spicy ground beef filling with fritos corn chips. It's all smothered with plenty of cheese and baked until bubbly. It's a classic supper dish that's family friendly and not terribly expensive to make. I know what you're thinking...fritos? Really? Yes, they make this homespun dish really tasty. Perhaps it's the corn flavor and crunch that's akin to eating a big bowl of chili. To make this casserole recipe you'll need a large skillet, a chopping board and knife to prep the onion, peppers and cilantro, plus a 2 quart baking dish for baking. A cheese grater for shredding the cheese fresh at home as well as measuring cups and spoons.
How to Make Chili Cheese Frito Pie
- If you're a cook who likes to create your own spice blends, I've included a how-to for you to use in the Recipe Notes section of the printable recipe card. You can make your own taco seasoning blend for the recipe as well as checkout the calories and nutritional information.
- Can I use plain fritos for frito pie? Of course, yes you can with no other adjustments needed.
- What are Rotel Chili Fixin's Tomatoes? This flavor of canned Rotel tomatoes include cumin and other chili seasonings in the mix. If you can't fine them, regular rotel tomatoes with green chiles will work.
- For those busy cooks who prefer a simpler approach, the recipe is written with you in mind. I've included in the recipe the amount of packaged taco seasoning for a shortcut. Homemade, as seen in the cook's notes or packaged taco seasoning will work perfectly, the choice is completely yours to make.
- You can make this Chili Cheese Frito Pie recipe using ground beef, ground turkey or ground chicken with outstanding results each time.
- Looking for more easy dinner recipes to make? Dishes like my Chili Spaghetti, Oven Chili Cheese Dogs and Chili Cheese Corn Dog Muffins are always a lifesaver when I'm in a conundrum about what to make for dinner.
- You may also like to try this Chili Dip recipe from A Family Feast.
Other Chili Inspired Recipes to Add to the Menu
Most chili recipes can be adapted using either ground beef, ground chicken, ground turkey or even ground pork if you're so inclined. Add these other chili inspired recipes to the supper rotation, soon.
Thanks for visiting come back soon!
Disclosure ~ If a purchase is made using one of the affiliate links on this website we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!
Helpful Kitchen Items:
Chili Cheese Frito Pie
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 484kcal
Ingredients
- 3 cup shredded Colby-Jack Cheese divided
- 1 10 ¼ oz bag chili cheese fritos (may use plain fritos)
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1 small poblano or jalapeno pepper diced seeds removed
- olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon each seasoned salt and black pepper
- 4 medium garlic cloves minced
- 2 lb lean ground beef turkey or chicken
- 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 1 10 oz can Rotel Chili Fixins Tomatoes may use classic Rotel with green chiles
- 1 15 oz can light red kidney beans
- 2 tablespoon chopped cilantro
- Shortcut Spice: [omit if using DIY spices]
- 1 1.25 oz package taco seasoning
- chopped green onions and sour cream for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 2 ½ quart baking dish or an 12 x 8 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Pour ½ of the fritos over the bottom of the dish. Sprinkle with ⅓ of the shredded cheese.
- On the stove top in a large skillet, saute diced onion and pepper in a couple of drizzles of olive oil. Cook over medium-high heat until the vegetables begin to soften and brown. Add the minced garlic and saute for 1 minute.
- Add ground beef cooking until no pink remains. Season with ¼ teaspoon each seasoned salt and black pepper OR to your taste.
- Drain excess fat from skillet. To the beef, add Worcestershire sauce, tomato sauce, Rotel tomatoes, kidney beans and taco seasoning. [See Cook's note for DIY spices] Mix well, and simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and mix in chopped cilantro.
- Pour evenly over the fritos in the baking dish. Sprinkle ⅓ of the cheese on top.
- Top with the remaining fritos and shredded cheese.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly around the edge.
- Garnish with chopped green onion and serve topped with a dollop of sour cream, if desired.
Notes
DIY Spices: [Use in place of taco seasoning]
2 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon Mexican oregano
¼ teaspoon lemon pepper
⅛ teaspoon cinnamon
⅛ teaspoon ground chipotle pepper
2 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon Mexican oregano
¼ teaspoon lemon pepper
⅛ teaspoon cinnamon
⅛ teaspoon ground chipotle pepper
Nutrition
Serving: 1cup | Calories: 484kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 48g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 156mg | Sodium: 571mg | Potassium: 687mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 697IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 480mg | Iron: 4mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @melissassk or tag #melissassk!
My name is Melissa and I'm the Creator of Melissa's Southern Style Kitchen. Cooking, baking, developing recipes and kitchen tips is my passion. I love sharing my dishes and connecting with people through the food that I create.
>
Roger
Made the recipe today with a few modifications but served as a great base to use for a nice dinner
Melissa
Glad you enjoyed this easy pie, thank you.
Sally
This is yummy; thank you Melissa.
Melissa
I'm glad you enjoyed, it's my pleasure.
Lora
Can you successfully freeze leftovers?
Melissa
The fritos will become soft after freezing but, may be re-crisped in the oven, if you wish.
Lisa
This sounds amazing! Have you served it as a chili (if some people perhaps did not want the Fritos ?). I am bringing chili to a potluck but was going to also bring Fritos and cheese so people could have Frito pie as an option.
Melissa
You might want to make this chili instead if your plan is to set-up a toppings bar.
Gail
This sounds great.. gonna add it to this week's dinner list
Melissa
Nancy, ground chicken or turkey work well in this too.
Anonymous
Has anyone tried ground turkey, looks y
ummy, but I don't eat beef.
Nancy J.
Melissa
So glad you enjoyed this, I really appreciate your sweet comment.
FlyingHiMommy
I just made this for dinner, YUM. 20 minutes was plenty of cooking time and yes, it did stay crunchy. Served with avocado and sour cream, will make again. Thank you 🙂
Melissa
You can usually find Mexican oregano at places like Fresh Market, Trader Joes and Whole Foods. Italian oregano can be used, but you won't need as much since Mexican oregano has a milder flavor.
Kristi
Kristi asked....
Could you please tell me where I can find Mexican oregano? Could just plain oregano be used?
Thank You
Melissa
The top layer will be the most crunchy, but the bottom layer doesn't get soggy if that's your concern.
Serra
This looks delicious, but does the bottom layer of chips stay crunchy?
Toni
No, it got cooked and soggy, but was good. Kind of formed a "crust".
Joan
Yes! Had it today at a gathering! Good enough I wanted the recipe! Delicious!
Hanna
You can heat up the filling in a saucepan on the stove top before putting it on the bottom layer of Frito's which should keep the chips crunchy still. Works for me!
Cheryl
YUMMO! I remember eating this as a kid - sometimes we added tamales. Thanks for jogging my memory - it was delicious comfort food!!!
Melissa
Thank you very much!
Anonymous
WOW!!!!
With recipes like this you could find a billionaire husband...
Can't wait to try this...Thanks...
Melissa
Thanks Linda! xxxx
Linda
Yummers Melissa. Perfect recipe, with all the flavors I adore.