Around the South, we know a thing or two about simple comfort food, and this Southern Chili Cheese Frito Pie fits the bill perfectly. Layered with savory chili, loads of gooey cheese, and crunchy Fritos, it’s an easy weeknight meal the whole family will love. A dollop of sour cream on top is all that’s left before everyone dives in.

Easy Chili Cheese Frito Pie Recipe

What is Frito Pie? This classic Southern comfort food casserole layers seasoned ground beef chili, crunchy Fritos corn chips, and plenty of shredded cheddar cheese into one hearty, family-friendly meal. Baked until hot and bubbly, it’s an easy dinner that’s satisfying, budget-friendly, and always a crowd-pleaser.

If you’re wondering, Fritos? Really? The answer is absolutely! Their signature corn flavor and crispy crunch are what make this dish so irresistible. As they bake, the chips soak up some of the savory chili while still keeping just enough texture, creating a bite that’s reminiscent of a big bowl of chili served with crunchy corn chips. It’s simple, nostalgic comfort food that’s been winning over families for generations.

Key ingredients you’ll need to make Chili Cheese Frito Pie: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card and quantities.)

Beef – Ground beef for the homemade chili.
Bag of Fritos – Chili Cheese seasoned fritos or classic fritos for crunch.
Seasonings – One package of store-bought taco seasoning plus seasoned salt and pepper.
Vegetables – Sweet Vidalia onion, poblano pepper or jalapeño pepper for texture.
Tomatoes – Canned Rotel tomatoes or chili seasoned tomatoes and tomato sauce.
Beans – Light red kidney beans for the chili layer.
Garlic – Fresh garlic cloves complement the onion.
Cheese – Shredded colby-jack cheese for a melty cheesy flavor.
Oil – Olive oil to saute the vegetables.
Sauce – Worcestershire sauce enhances the flavor of the hamburger.
Herbs – Fresh cilantro adds color and flavor.
Serving – Sour cream and green onions for serving.

How to Make the BEST Chili Cheese Frito Pie Recipe

Heat Oven and Prepare Dish – Preheat oven to 350 degrees f. Spray a baking dish with cooking spray.
Saute Vegetables – Saute diced onion and pepper in a couple of drizzles of olive oil until the vegetables begin to soften and brown. Add the minced garlic.
Cook Ground Beef – Add ground beef cooking until no pink remains. Drain excess grease from skillet.
Add Sauce Ingredients – Add Worcestershire sauce, tomato sauce and Rotel diced tomatoes.
Beans and Seasonings – Add kidney beans and taco seasoning. Mix well, and simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and mix in chopped cilantro.
Assemble – Pour 1/2 of the fritos over the bottom of the dish. Sprinkle with shredded cheese and chili. Repeat layers.
Oven – Bake per the baking time in the recipe until bubbly around the edge.
Serve – Garnish with chopped green onion and serve topped with a dollop of sour cream.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Chili Cheese Frito Pie Recipe

Large skillet.
Chopping board and knife to prep the onion, peppers and cilantro.
13×9-inch baking dish.
Cheese grater.
Measuring cups and measuring spoons.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

Protein – You can make this Chili Cheese Frito Pie recipe using ground beef, ground turkey or ground chicken with outstanding results each time.
Cheese – You can use sharp cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, monterey jack cheese or spicy pepper jack cheese.
Make Your Own Spice Blend – 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.
Fritos – You can use classic fritos or a store brand that you enjoy in place of chili cheese fritos. You could also adapt this recipe using scoops. Scoops are large so you may bed to decrease the amount used.
Chili – If you have a big pot of chili with some leftover, you can use it in place of homemade chili.
Canned Tomatoes – Rotel Chili Fixin’s Tomatoes can sometimes be difficult to find. No worries you can use classic Rotel tomatoes with green chiles or use another brand of chili ready tomatoes.
Use Taco Seasoning – 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.
More Chili 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.

Storage and Leftovers

Leftovers -Store baked Chili Cheese Frito Pie covered with foil, plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating – Reheat in single servings in the microwave.
Freezer – Freeze leftovers for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat in a preheated 350 degrees f oven until heated through and the fritos are crispy.

More Easy Ground Beef Recipes to Make

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.

Easy Teriyaki Beef Fried Rice.
Beef Pot Pie topped with Cheddar Biscuits is a one dish meal.
Assemble this Crockpot Chili in your slow cooker and let it do the rest.
Serve this stovetop Ground Beef Stroganoff over egg noodles.
Mashed potato topped Cottage Pie.
Beef and Noodles Casserole for Italian night at home.
You may also like to try this Chili Dip recipe from A Family Feast.

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