Table of Contents
If you love Walking Tacos (like we do), you will LOVE this Frito pie recipe.
It typically includes chili, Fritos, and cheese. While there are many variations, we think ours is beyond delicious. We take that chili and turn it into a creamy meaty layer packed with chili flavor.
This Frito pie recipe is crazy easy to make (just 10 minutes of prep) and does not dirty up many dishes…another bonus! While it may be more like a casserole, the ingredients are simple and few making this a weeknight dinner win for sure!
It’s somewhat similar to our Dorito Casserole and Tamale Pie!
Why we think you’ll love it:
- More of a casserole. Frito pie isn’t really a pie, it’s a casserole of Fritos with tasty toppings! Ours has a creamy beef layer, lots of cheese, and a few fresh pops to top it off.
- Just layer. The steps are SIMPLE and it’s prepped in only 10 minutes!
- For a crowd. Frito pie is filling and perfect for feeding the entire family! It makes a 9×13 pan-full!
Frito Pie Ingredients and Substitutions
- 1 pound ground beef – or ground turkey, ground chicken, or Italian sausage. If you wish, you can substitute the beef with an equal amount of pinto beans, black beans, or kidney beans.
- 1 package taco seasoning mix – Make your own Taco Seasoning. There is about 3 tablespoons in a packet.
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 (16-ounce) can green enchilada sauce – store-bought or homemade Green Enchilada Sauce, or Red Enchilada Sauce
- 6-7 cups Frito Lay chips – We like Fritos best but regular tortilla chips or Nacho Cheese Doritos will work. For added spice use Flamin Hot Fritos or Chili Cheese Fritos.
- 3-4 cups Monterrey Jack cheese, divided – or colby jack cheese or cheddar cheese
- optional veggies – or zucchini, black olives, and diced peppers to the ground beef mixture
- optional topping – cilantro, avocado, diced tomatoes, sour cream, Salsa, Guacamole, jalapenos, hot sauce, or red pepper flakes
How To Make Frito Pie
- PREP. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- BEEF. Cook ground beef in a large skillet. Once browned, drain, add taco seasoning, sour cream, and enchilada sauce and stir.
- LAYER. Spread ⅓ of the Fritos (about 2 cups) over the bottom of a casserole dish. Slightly crush them and spread half of the ground beef mixture over the top. Next, add a layer of cheese.
- Add another layer of Fritos (about 2 cups, slightly crushed). Add the rest of the meat mixture and another cup of the cheese. Sprinkle evenly with the remaining chips and cheese.
- BAKE. Tent a piece of foil over the top so that the melting cheese doesn’t stick to it. Bake for 30 minutes then remove the foil and bake for another 5-10 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted.
- GARNISH. Let the Frito pie cool for 5 minutes and top with tomatoes, avocados, and cilantro.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Enhance the spices by adding in more chili powder, crushed red pepper flakes, or paprika.
- After many years in the kitchen, we can confidently say that freshly shredded cheese melts WAY better than prepackaged shredded cheese.
Frito Pie Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 package taco seasoning mix
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 (16-ounce) can green enchilada sauce
- 6-7 cups Frito Lay chips
- 3-4 cups Monterrey Jack cheese, divided
- cilantro, avocado, diced tomatoes, sour cream (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the ground beef in a large skillet. Once browned drain, add the taco seasoning, sour cream, and the enchilada sauce and mix.
- Spread ⅓ of the Frito corn chips (about 2 cups) over the bottom of the baking dish. Slightly crush them and spread half of the ground beef over the top. Next, add a layer of cheese (1 cup).
- Add another layer of Fritos (about 2 cups, slightly crushed). Add the rest of the ground beef and another cup of the cheese.
- Top with the remaining chips and cheese. Tent a piece of foil over the top so that the melting cheese doesn't stick to it.
- Bake for 30 minutes then remove the foil and bake for another 5-10 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted. Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes and top with tomatoes, avocados, and cilantro.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Assemble the casserole as directed, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Bake as directed.
To freeze, prepare as directed but leave off the top layer of cheese and Fritos. Cover with plastic wrap and again with foil and freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight add the top layer of Fritos and cheese, and bake.
Store leftovers in an airtight container, or divide them into individual-sized portions. Refrigerate for 2-3 days or freeze for 1-2 months. Reheat in the microwave or oven.
Complete The Meal
Sides
Homemade Spanish Rice Recipe
45 mins
Canned Refried Beans
10 mins
Cilantro Lime Rice
30 mins
Refried Black Beans
15 mins
Desserts
Churro Funnel Cake
15 mins
Sopapilla
40 mins
Mexican Fried Ice Cream
4 hrs 17 mins
Chocolate Tres Leches Cake
4 hrs 45 mins
Mexican Casseroles
Collections
This recipe was originally published February 2021.
Could this be made with red enchilada sauce instead of the green?
You bet! The flavor will be a little different if using the red sauce, but it would still work just fine!
Have you ever had frito pie? It’s like taco salad in a casserole dish. Quick and yummy!
I love when I come across an easy casserole recipe that is also delicious. Thanks for sharing!
My family has found a dish that we all love! No complaints from anyone! Tons of flavor!
I love crunch in my soups, casseroles, & sandwiches. So, when I saw that the recipes calls for fritos, I knew I would love it! Love the taco flavor & my family is already asking when I am making it again!
The crunchy fritos and the taco flavor is perfection! I love that you added some veggies on top of it too!