Looking for a crowd-pleasing, no-fuss meal that’s bursting with Tex-Mex flavors? Our Frito Pie Casserole recipe is a mouthwatering twist on a classic favorite, combining crunchy Fritos, savory chili, gooey cheese, and fresh toppings for a satisfying dinner that’s easy to make and impossible to resist. Discover how to whip up this hearty comfort food in no time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- SIMPLICITY AND CONVENIENCE: Frito Pie Casserole is incredibly easy to make, making it a go-to option for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. With minimal prep work, you can have a delicious meal ready in no time.
- IRRESISTIBLE FLAVOR: The combination of crispy Fritos, hearty chili, melted cheese, and flavorful toppings creates a taste explosion that appeals to a wide range of palates. It’s a comforting, indulgent dish that’s hard not to love.
- CUSTOMIZABLE AND CROWD PLEASING: Frito Pie Casserole is highly customizable. You can tailor it to your preferences by adding your favorite toppings like sour cream, jalapeños, or fresh salsa. Plus, it’s a favorite at potlucks, parties, and family dinners, ensuring it’ll be a hit with both kids and adults alike.
Frito Pie Casserole
This recipe is a lot like our Walking Taco Casserole with just a few differences. This is a great family meal version of the classic snack! We love that this recipe only takes a handful of ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry and fridge! And it only takes 15 minutes to prep! For step-by-step instructions, check out the printable recipe card below.
- GROUND BEEF – We used 80/20 ground beef. But you can use leaner if you’d like. You can also use ground chicken or ground turkey for a even healthier version of this meal.
- ONION – Finely chopped. We like using yellow onion for it’s sweeter, milder taste. But you can use red onion if you’d like.
- TACO SEASONING – Any brand and spice level that you prefer.
- WATER –
- DICED TOMATOES WITH GREEN CHILES – We love using Ro-Tel tomatoes. They have tons of flavors and varieties.
- CHILI BEANS – Again, any brand, flavor or spice level you prefer. You don’t need to rinse them, pour them in with the sauce. You can also use black beans, pinto beans, kidney beans or really any kind of beans you’d like.
- CHEESE – We used a taco blend cheese.
- FRITO CORN CHIPS – The star of the show!
Can You Freeze Frito Pie?
Yes, you can freeze a Frito Pie casserole recipe. Here’s how to do it:
1. COOL DOWN – Allow the Frito Pie casserole to cool to room temperature. This is an important step to prevent condensation inside the container, which can lead to freezer burn.
2. PORTION – If you’re not planning to consume the entire casserole at once, consider dividing it into individual portions. This makes it easier to reheat only what you need later.
3. WRAP – Use aluminum foil, plastic wrap, or airtight freezer-safe containers to wrap or pack the casserole. Make sure it’s well-sealed to prevent freezer burn and the absorption of freezer odors.
4. LABEL – Clearly label the package with the date of freezing. This helps you keep track of how long it has been in the freezer.
5. FREEZE – Place the wrapped or containerized casserole in the freezer. Try to keep it as flat as possible to save space and ensure even freezing.
6. REHEAT – When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen Frito Pie casserole, preheat your oven to around 350°F (175°C), and bake it, still covered in foil, until it’s heated through (usually about 30-40 minutes). You can also use a microwave for individual portions, but it may not maintain the crispiness of the Fritos as well as baking.
Frozen Frito Pie casseroles can typically be stored in the freezer for 2-3 months. However, for the best quality and taste, it’s recommended to consume it within the first month or two.
Storage and Leftovers
Store leftover Frito Pie in your refrigerator in an airtight container. Leftovers should be good for about 3-4 days. But the Fritos may get a little soggy.
Notes, Tips and FAQs
- ADDITIONS – We topped ours with fresh lettuce and tomatoes. But you can also top with Guacamole, Salsa, Cilantro, Jalapenos, Sour Cream, Green Onion, Fresh Avocados, Black Olives or Bell Peppers.
- DRAIN GREASE – Make sure you drain your grease before adding the ground beef to the casserole.
- CAN YOU USE TORTILLA CHIPS FOR THIS RECIPE? – In a pinch, yes. It will still taste great by subbing crushed Tortilla Chips. But, obviously won’t be a Frito Pie any more.
- CAN YOU MAKE THIS AHEAD OF TIME? – Yes. You can assemble the casserole and let it hang in the fridge before baking. I wouldn’t let it sit for too long because the Fritos may start to get soft.
We hope you enjoy this easy Frito Pie Recipe! Let us know how it turns out in the comment section below.
LOOKING FOR MORE EASY CASSEROLE RECIPES LIKE THIS? CHECK OUT:
- KING RANCH CHICKEN CASSEROLE
- JALAPENO POPPER CHICKEN CASSEROLE
- DORITO CASSEROLE
- CROCKPOT MEXICAN CASSEROLE
- CHICKEN FAJITA CASSEROLE
- SHIPWRECK CASSEROLE
Frito Pie Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1/3 cup water
- 1 10.5 ounce can diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 15 ounce can chili beans
- 2 cups shredded taco blend cheese
- 1 9.25 ounce bag Fritos corn chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Cook the ground beef with the onion in a large skillet over medium heat.
- When the meat is browned and crumbled, add the taco seasoning, water, and diced tomatoes. Stir to mix and continue cooking on medium low heat until the sauce begins to thicken.
- Stir in the chili beans.
- While the meat is cooking, set aside 2 cups of corn chips for topping and spread the remaining chips in an even layer over the bottom of the baking dish.
- Spread the meat mixture over the top of the chips.
- Top with a layer of cheese and the remaining corn chips.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, until the cheese on top is melted and the sauce is bubbly. Top with desired garnishes and serve.
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