This fun and easy Frito Pie combines taco-seasoned ground beef, beans, and tomatoes, all topped with cheddar, Monterey Jack, and crispy, crunchy Fritos. For even more deliciousness, add your favorite toppings like diced tomatoes, green onion, guacamole, chopped cilantro, or sour cream.
What’s In This Post
A Blast From The Past
If your family is anything like mine, then this time of year is very busy, and you can’t keep up with the day’s demands. You need some family-friendly recipes that are quick to make, easy on the pocketbook, and yet delicious and wholesome for your loved ones. This Frito Pie is all that and more.
To suit your family’s taste, top with any or all of your classic favorites. It tastes very similar to my walking tacos and Doritos casserole recipe.
Ingredients Needed
- Ground Beef: with a bit of fat in it. Fat is what gives it flavor
- Vegetables: onion, garlic, canned diced tomatoes, green onions
- Seasonings: taco seasoning, chili powder, fresh cilantro
- Beans: kidney beans, black beans, ranch-style beans, or pinto beans
- Corn chips: like Fritos
- Cheese: cheddar and Monterey Jack
- Toppings: such as Pico de Galo, salsa, shredded lettuce, guacamole, black olives, tomatoes, jalapeno, or sour cream.
How to Make Frito Pie
Start by browning some ground beef. When the ground beef is about halfway browned, add the onion and cook until the beef is browned and the onions are soft. Reduce the heat and add the minced garlic. Cook for 1 minute while stirring.
Now, carefully drain any excess grease from the meat mixture. Add the taco seasoning, chili powder, water, Rotel Tomatoes, and kidney beans. Simmer for about 10 minutes. Layer about 2 cups of Fritos in the bottom of a greased baking dish. Spoon half the ground beef mixture on top. Sprinkle with half the cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack Cheese.
Add 2 more cups of Fritos, followed by the remaining meat and bean mixture. Top with remaining Fritos and cheese. Bake for about 20 minutes or until the cheese is well melted and the casserole is hot. Top with all of your favorite toppings and serve immediately.
Preparation Tips
- Use a good taco seasoning with plenty of flavor. If I have time, I prefer to make it homemade. However, Spice Islands brand is my second choice, and I purchase it from Costco.
- You can substitute ground turkey, chicken, or pork for the beef.
- If you run short on time, use canned or leftover chili and skip to step 3.
- This recipe has plenty of wiggle room. If you want more cheese or a different kind that also melts well, substitute it. If you don’t like kidney beans but love black beans, ranch-style beans, or pinto beans, go with what you love.
Serving Suggestions
This is a hearty meal by itself, but if I have heavy eaters or guests, I like to serve with black bean and corn salad or layered taco salad. Black bean soup and gazpacho are also great choices as an alternative to salad.
Storage and Reheat
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They can also be reheated in the microwave at reduced power, but the chips will no longer be crunchy.
Freeze individual portions in sturdy freezer containers for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power.
More Casserole Recipes
Frito Pie
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 3 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- ½ cup water
- 1 10 ounce can mild Rotel diced tomatoes
- 1 15 ounce can kidney beans, drained
- 4-5 cups Fritos corn chips
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 2 green onions sliced
- Sour cream
- Diced tomatoes
- Chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef. When ground beef is about halfway browned, add the onion and cook until the beef is browned and the onion is soft. Reduce the heat to low and add the garlic. Cook for 1 minute; stirring constantly. Drain any excess grease.
- Stir in the taco seasoning, chili powder, water, Rotel Tomatoes, and kidney beans. Simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Layer about 2 cups of Fritos in the bottom of a greased casserole dish. Spoon half the ground beef mixture on top. Sprinkle with half the cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack Cheese.
- Sprinkle with 2 more cups of Fritos, followed by the remaining meat and bean mixture. Top with the remaining Fritos and cheese.
- Bake for about 20 minutes or until the cheese is well melted and the casserole is hot. Top with all of your favorite toppings and serve immediately.
Video
Nutrition
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KIm
This is on rotation at our house. The whole family loves it and it is quick and easy to make.
pedja
What an amazing recipe! It is quick, easy, and always tasty. We have made this several times amd we always enjoy it. Thanks for the recipe, Beth!
Alita
This is a taste of home. I love this recipe for being spicy, salty and cheesy fabulous.
Ellanor
Ohh, this looks delicious. I’ll be changing out ground beef for a vegetarian version, and I’m in the U.K. where I don’t think we have fritos. What would work instead? Would Doritos or crispy tortilla chips be okay?
Beth Pierce
Doritos would work fine with this! Enjoy!
Vanessa Palma
This was so so good! The entire family approved!
Richard Lowe
My family loves this frito pie. It is so full of flavor and so easy to make. It is a must make.
Nyxie
We loved this frito pie. Everyone had seconds and if there had more they would have had thirds.
Rami
I love nachos, so I knew that that having Frito Pie for dinner would be delicious and it was! Thanks for sharing, Beth!
Laura Side Street
Ooh this looks so yummy and I know this is something my kids would eat! Also doesn’t look yo hard to make which is always good, deffo going to have a go making it
Laura x
Jupiter Hadley
Oh wow, this is such a fun twist on tacos! The kids and I loved it. Thank you for the recipe!
JM
My family absolutely loves this Frito Pie recipe! We actually ask for it almost every week, it’s just that good. Thank you so much for sharing it with us!
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, JM!
Zab Zaria
This looks like an awesome recipe! I’m sure my husband will enjoy this meal.
Yeah Lifestyle
My kids love chilli with nachos, so this seemed like the perfect dinner recipe to try and out and we were not disappointed. This is very tasty!
Beth Pierce
Thanks! So glad that you and the kids liked it!
Lasonia
This one looks like a winner. I am always open to trying new dishes and I must add this to the list.
Tammy
I’ve never had one of these before but it looks absolutely delicious! What fun family dish to try…I think this will be a hit!
MELANIE E
That sounds like a fun dish. It’s like nachos with chilli con carne. It would make a great family meal.