Description

Frito Chili Pie is a classic comfort food that combines savory beef and bean chili with crunchy Fritos corn chips and melty cheddar cheese. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a crowd-pleasing party dish, this recipe delivers a satisfying mix of textures and bold Southwestern flavors. Easy to customize with your favorite toppings, it’s a deliciously hearty main course.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Main Chili

1 pound (454 g) 85/15 ground beef
1 medium onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
14 ounce (397 g) can kidney beans, undrained
5.5 ounce (156 g) can tomato paste
10 ounce (284 g) can diced tomatoes and green chiles
2 Tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

For Serving

9.25 ounce (262 g) bag of Fritos corn chips
1 cup (113 g) shredded cheddar cheese

Optional Toppings

Diced onions
Diced jalapeno peppers
Sour cream
Sliced green onions
Diced tomatoes
Chopped bell peppers

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Instructions

Brown the Beef and Aromatics: In a large skillet or pot over medium heat, cook the ground beef with the diced onion and minced garlic until the meat is browned and the onions are softened. Drain any excess fat for a less greasy chili.
Add Remaining Chili Ingredients: Add the kidney beans (with their liquid), tomato paste, diced tomatoes and green chiles, chili powder, salt, sugar, and ground cumin to the skillet. Stir everything together until well combined.
Simmer the Chili: Reduce the heat to medium-low and allow the chili mixture to simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld and the chili to thicken.
Prepare the Base: Spread the Fritos onto a large serving dish or individual plates. This forms the crispy base for the chili pie.
Assemble and Serve: Ladle the hot chili evenly over the Fritos. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top, allowing it to melt slightly from the heat of the chili. Add any optional toppings like diced onions, jalapeno peppers, sour cream, sliced green onions, diced tomatoes, or chopped bell peppers as desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

Use ground turkey or vegetarian meat substitute for a lighter or vegetarian version.
Chili can be made ahead and reheated before serving.
Customize toppings to suit your preference or dietary needs.
For extra heat, use hot chili powder or add more jalapeno peppers.
This dish is best served fresh to maintain the crunch of the Fritos.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe (approx. 1 heaping cup)
Calories: 520
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 950mg
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Unsaturated Fat: 16g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fiber: 6g
Protein: 21g
Cholesterol: 58mg