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Frito Pie

Baked Frito Pie Casserole

Frito pie baked with seasoned ground beef chili, kidney beans, corn, melted cheese, and a crunchy layer of Fritos corn chips.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Servings: 6 servings

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef 85/15
  • 1 small yellow onion finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 packet taco seasoning about 3 tbsp
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chiles undrained
  • 1 1/2 cups tomato sauce
  • 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup frozen corn thawed
  • 1 (9.25 oz) bag Fritos corn chips divided
  • 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend 8 oz, divided
  • 1/2 cup sour cream for serving
  • 3 green onions sliced, for serving

Instructions

  • Heat the oven: Heat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9x13 baking dish.
  • Brown the beef: Cook the ground beef and onion in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 6-8 minutes, breaking the meat apart as it goes, until no pink remains and it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F. Drain off the fat.
  • Season and reduce: Stir in the garlic, taco seasoning, chili powder, and water. Bring it to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 3-4 minutes, until the liquid thickens and clings to the meat.
  • Build the chili: Add the diced tomatoes with green chiles, tomato sauce, kidney beans, and corn. Simmer for 5 minutes, until the mixture is thick enough that a spoon dragged through it leaves a track.
  • Layer the pan: Spread about 4 cups of the Fritos across the bottom of the baking dish and scatter 1 cup of the cheese over them. Spoon the hot chili evenly on top, then finish with the remaining 1 cup of cheese.
  • Bake: Bake uncovered for 18-20 minutes, until the cheese is fully melted and the edges bubble.
  • Add the crunch and serve: Scatter the remaining Fritos over the top right before serving so they stay crisp. Let the pan sit 5 minutes, then pass the sour cream and green onions at the table.

Notes

Simmer the chili until it is thick enough to hold a spoon track before it goes over the chips, and hold back about a third of the Fritos to scatter on after baking so the top stays crunchy. Cook the ground beef to an internal temperature of 160°F.