Frito Pie

Frito pie is an easy casserole loaded with rich and savory ground beef, gooey cheese, and (you guessed it) Frito corn chips. Simple, quick, and packed with flavor, this recipe is comfort food at its finest!

Looking for more flavor-packed Tex-Mex casserole recipes? Try my sour cream chicken enchiladas and fiesta chicken casserole.

Why You’ll Love This Frito Pie Recipe

Frito pie isn’t really a pie. It’s a Tex-Mex-inspired casserole loaded with delicious corn chip crunch (like a Doritos casserole). Layered with seasoned ground beef, corn, beans, and oodles of cheese, this is one weeknight recipe you need to try ASAP! Here’s why:

• Full of flavor. The seasoned ground beef filling is a lot like hearty beef chili. Layered into a deep-dish casserole with enchilada sauce, salty corn chips, and shredded cheese, this recipe is packed with savory flavor and spice.
• Quick and easy. The filling comes together fast and easily on the stovetop. Then it’s just a matter of assembling and baking your casserole. Frito pie is perfect for weeknights and reheats well the following day.
• Customizable. When it comes to toppings, load up this Frito pie with any of your taco favorites. If you’re looking for a fun way to change things up on taco night, you won’t regret giving this casserole a go!

Frito Pie Ingredients

Below are my notes on what you’ll need to make this easy Frito pie casserole. Scroll down to the recipe card for a printable ingredients list.

• Ground Beef – I like to use lean ground beef. You can swap out beef for ground chicken or ground turkey if you prefer.
• Onion – Diced yellow onion, or any mild onion you have on hand.
• Seasonings – Salt, pepper, cumin, ground coriander, chili powder, garlic powder, and sweet or smoked paprika. You can also substitute the individual spices with a chili seasoning blend.
• Corn and Beans – Canned sweet corn and black beans. Remember to drain and rinse them first.
• Enchilada Sauce – Choose your favorite jar of red enchilada sauce from the store. You’ll bulk up the sauce with canned tomato sauce.
• Fritos – You’ll need one standard-sized bag of Fritos corn chips. You can make this casserole with Original Fritos or your favorite flavor.
• Cheese – Use a shredded Mexican cheese blend or shredded cheddar cheese.
• Toppings – Sour cream, guacamole, and any taco-style toppings your heart desires.

How to Make Frito Pie 

This Frito pie recipe is super quick to prep, and it bakes in just 20 minutes! Follow this short step-by-step and check out the recipe card for printable instructions.

• Make the filling. Start by sautéing the beef and diced onion in a large skillet until the meat is cooked through. Next, stir in the seasonings, beans, corn, enchilada sauce, and tomato sauce. 
• Assemble the pie. Spread a layer of Fritos into the bottom of a 9×13” baking dish. Top this with the ground beef filling, and sprinkle over the shredded cheese.
• Bake. Bake the Frito pie at 400ºF for 20 minutes. When the cheese and filling are bubbly, your pie is ready! Garnish the casserole with more Fritos and serve with your favorite toppings. See below for ideas.

Recipe Tips and Variations

These are a few easy tips if you’re looking to make the perfect Frito pie:

• Make ahead. If you’re planning on storing the finished casserole, I recommend leaving off the garnish of Fritos until you’re ready to serve. See below for more storing and reheating instructions.
• Make it spicy. To give this Frito pie filling some kick, feel free to add diced jalapeños, or you can add crushed red peppers or cayenne to the seasoning.
• Try a walking taco. It’s believed that Frito pie was originally inspired by a “walking taco”: a bag of corn chips garnished with taco toppings. Make your own by scooping the prepared ground beef mixture into a single-serving bag of Fritos. Add cheese and toppings, and take it to go!

Topping Ideas

Just like tacos, this Frito pie only gets better with toppings! I love having our favorites on the table so that everyone can DIY their bowls. Here are some ideas:

• Sauces. Salsa, sour cream, guacamole, avocado salsa, and extra enchilada sauce.
• Garnishes. Diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, jalapeños, green onions, olives, fresh cilantro.
• Lime. Serve your Frito pie with lime wedges to squeeze over top.

What to Serve With Frito Pie Casserole

Round out your next Tex Mex night with easy appetizers like cowboy caviar with tortilla chips for dipping. We also love our Frito pie with a starter of cheesy chicken taquitos, or a side of fluffy crescent rolls. For a veggie option, serve your casserole with a Southwestern quinoa salad, this easy Cobb salad, or corn on the cob.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

• Refrigerate. Store any leftover Frito pie airtight in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Reheat. Warm leftovers in the microwave or the oven until hot throughout. I like to sprinkle the reheated servings with extra Fritos to revive some of the crunch.
• Freeze. You can store the casserole airtight and freeze it whole or in portions for up to 3 months. If you know you’ll be freezing leftovers, consider leaving off the garnish of Fritos until you reheat it. Defrost in the fridge overnight before reheating and serving. 

More Casserole Recipes

• Chili Mac Casserole
• Tater Tot Casserole
• Salsa Verde Chicken Casserole
• Chicken Hashbrown Casserole
• Sour Cream Noodle Bake

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