If you’re craving something hearty, nostalgic, and downright addictive, this Frito Pie Recipe is exactly what you need. It’s a comforting casserole layered with crunchy Fritos, savory taco-seasoned beef, melted cheese, and a medley of fresh toppings that bring the whole dish to life. This classic Tex-Mex favorite is perfect for game day, busy weeknight dinners, or casual get-togethers where everyone wants something flavorful and filling. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll become your go-to when you want a meal that’s both quick and packed with taste!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Frito Pie Recipe lies in its simple, down-to-earth ingredients. Each one plays a vital role in balancing flavors and textures— from the crisp corn chips to the rich, cheesy layers and the bold, saucy taco meat that ties it all together.
- Olive oil (1 tablespoon): Adds a subtle fruitiness while helping to sauté the onions and garlic beautifully.
- Unsalted butter (1 tablespoon): Gives a silky richness to the base sauté and enhances depth of flavor.
- Medium yellow onion, diced (1): Provides sweetness and body to the beef mixture.
- Garlic, minced (2 cloves): Brings aromatic warmth that elevates every bite.
- Ground chuck (1 pound): The heart of the dish, delivering savory, juicy beefiness.
- Ground black pepper (¼ teaspoon): Adds a gentle kick to balance flavors.
- Taco seasoning packet (1.25-ounce): The spice blend that transforms simple beef into bold, zesty filling.
- Worcestershire sauce (1 teaspoon): Provides an umami boost and complexity to the meat sauce.
- Apple cider vinegar (2 teaspoons): Adds brightness and a touch of tang to cut through the richness.
- Black beans, drained (1 15-ounce can): Offers heartiness and a creamy texture contrast.
- Tomato sauce (1 8-ounce can): Richens the sauce base with smooth tomato flavor.
- Petite diced tomatoes (1 16-ounce can): Adds chunkiness and fresh acidity to the sauce.
- Kosher salt to taste: Enhances all the flavors without overpowering.
- Fritos Corn Chips (1 9.25-ounce bag): The iconic crunchy layer that gives this dish its signature texture.
- Mexican-style shredded cheese (2-3 cups): Melts into gooey deliciousness, tying everything together.
- Chopped lettuce: Adds fresh crispness as a topping.
- Chopped scallions or diced raw onions: Bring sharp, fresh bite contrast.
- Chopped fresh tomatoes: Brighten the dish with juicy freshness.
- Black olives: Offer a briny, savory note as garnish.
- Chopped fresh cilantro: Lifts the flavors with herbal brightness.
- Sour cream: Creamy cooling complement to the spice.
- Avocados or Guacamole: Extra richness and creaminess to finish.
- Hot sauce: For a customizable spicy kick.
How to Make Frito Pie Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Dish
Begin by heating your oven to 350°F and giving a 7×11-inch baking dish a quick spray with cooking spray. This little prep ensures the Frito Pie bakes evenly and won’t stick, making serving a breeze later on.
Step 2: Sauté Aromatics
Warm your olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Toss in the diced onion and cook until it’s tender and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Adding the minced garlic at this stage brings a wonderful fragrant undertone—just cook it for about 30 seconds until it releases its aroma. Then, set this onion-garlic mixture aside on a paper towel-lined plate to keep it from adding moisture directly to the meat.
Step 3: Brown the Beef
Next, add the ground chuck to the skillet and cook it thoroughly until it’s beautifully browned, which develops that rich flavor critical for the pie. Drain any excess fat using a mesh colander to keep the dish from becoming greasy, then return the beef to the pan.
Step 4: Build Your Meat Sauce
Now comes the magic: stir in the sautéed onions and garlic, sprinkle the black pepper, and pour in the taco seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, and apple cider vinegar. Add the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes, mixing everything together until it’s well combined. Bring this mixture up to a gentle boil, then lower the heat to a simmer and introduce the drained black beans. Let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and most liquids evaporate, concentrating those vibrant flavors.
Step 5: Assemble the Pie
Layer your Frito Pie starting with 2 cups of Fritos spread evenly across the bottom of your prepared dish. Sprinkle a cup of shredded cheese over the corn chips, then spoon the hearty taco meat mixture on top. Add another cup of cheese and finish with another 2 cups of Fritos, creating that iconic crunchy-cheesy-beefy trifecta.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Pop the casserole into your preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until everything is hot and the cheese has melted into glorious gooeyness. The baking melds the layers together while keeping the texture contrast you love.
Step 7: Garnish and Enjoy
Once baked, it’s time for the fun part—toppings! Garnish with chopped tomatoes, crisp lettuce, black olives, scallions, fresh cilantro, or whatever taco toppings you adore. The fresh additions provide brightness and texture that make every forkful exciting. Dig in, and prepare to be hooked!
How to Serve Frito Pie Recipe
Garnishes
You can’t go wrong with traditional taco toppings as garnishes. Chopped fresh tomatoes add juicy bursts, while lettuce contributes a cool crunch. Black olives introduce a savory balance, and fresh cilantro brings that unmistakable herbal punch. Don’t forget a dollop of sour cream or creamy guacamole for contrast against the warm, spicy meat. These finishing touches elevate your Frito Pie Recipe from comforting casserole to festive feast.
Side Dishes
Pair this dish with simple sides like a crisp green salad or Mexican street corn to lighten the meal. A bowl of fresh salsa or even a zesty cucumber salad can bring even more freshness to your table. Since Frito Pie Recipe is so filling and flavorful, sides that are light and fresh create a perfect balance for your meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Feeling playful? Try serving Frito Pie Recipe in individual mason jars or small cast iron skillets for a fun, personal touch. You can also scoop the casserole onto a bed of tortilla chips for a nacho-inspired presentation, or stuff it inside warm flour tortillas for an impromptu taco bake. No matter how you serve it, this dish is guaranteed to impress!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Frito Pie is a delight in its own right and stores beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors marry even more after resting, just keep that final garnish separate until serving to stay fresh and vibrant.
Freezing
This Frito Pie Recipe also freezes well. Cool the casserole completely, then wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil or place it in a freezer-safe container. It will keep in the freezer for up to 2 months. Just thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for best results.
Reheating
When reheating, cover the dish with foil to keep it moist and warm it in a 350°F oven for about 20 minutes or until heated through. You can also microwave single servings, but the oven method keeps that wonderful melty, baked texture intact.
FAQs
Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?
Absolutely! You can swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a leaner twist. Just adjust the cooking time to ensure it’s fully cooked and consider adding a bit more seasoning to boost flavor.
Is it possible to make this dish vegetarian?
Yes! Simply omit the meat and increase the black beans or add cooked lentils or textured vegetable protein. Use vegetable broth or water instead of Worcestershire sauce if you want to keep it entirely plant-based.
How spicy is the taco seasoning in this recipe?
The taco seasoning packet usually has mild to medium heat, but you can boost the spice level with extra chili powder or hot sauce based on your preference. Likewise, reduce seasoning if you want to keep it gentler.
Why do you add apple cider vinegar to the meat sauce?
The apple cider vinegar adds a subtle tang that brightens the flavors and helps balance the richness of the beef and cheese. It’s a little secret to enhancing the overall taste without making it taste “vinegary.”
Can I prepare parts of this recipe in advance?
You sure can! The meat sauce can be made a day ahead and refrigerated. When ready, assemble and bake the casserole so it’s hot and fresh to serve. This makes your mealtime much quicker and less stressful.
Final Thoughts
This Frito Pie Recipe is everything you want in a crowd-pleasing comfort dish—simple to make, packed with layers of flavor and texture, and endlessly customizable. Whether you’re feeding a family or hosting friends, it brings warmth and fun to the table every time. Give this recipe a try and watch how quickly it becomes a beloved favorite in your kitchen!
Print
Frito Pie Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Description
This classic Frito Pie recipe is a hearty, satisfying casserole featuring seasoned ground beef, black beans, and a zesty tomato mixture layered with crunchy Fritos corn chips and melted Mexican cheese. Baked to perfection and topped with fresh vegetables and creamy garnishes, it’s a flavorful Tex-Mex comfort dish perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground chuck
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 1.25-ounce packet taco seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
Tomato and Beans
- 1 15-ounce can black beans, drained
- 1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 16-ounce can petite diced tomatoes
- Kosher salt to taste
Other
- 1 9.25-ounce bag Fritos Corn Chips
- 2–3 cups Mexican-style shredded cheese
- Chopped lettuce (for garnish)
- Chopped scallions or diced raw onions (for garnish)
- Chopped fresh tomatoes (for garnish)
- Black olives (for garnish)
- Chopped fresh cilantro (for garnish)
- Sour cream (for garnish)
- Avocados or Guacamole (for garnish)
- Hot sauce (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Heat the oven to 350°F and spray a 7×11-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prepare for assembling the casserole.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and butter. Cook the diced onion for 3-4 minutes until translucent and tender, then add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Transfer the mixture to a paper towel-lined plate to drain; set aside.
- Brown the Ground Beef: Add the ground chuck to the skillet and cook until completely browned. Drain excess fat using a mesh colander, then return the beef to the skillet. Mix in the cooked onion and garlic, black pepper, taco seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, and apple cider vinegar.
- Add Tomato and Beans: Stir in the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes. Bring the mixture to a low boil over medium heat, then reduce heat to low and add the drained black beans. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring often, until the mixture thickens and most liquid evaporates. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Assemble the Casserole: In the prepared baking dish, layer 2 cups of Fritos corn chips evenly on the bottom. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded Mexican cheese over the chips, then spread the taco meat mixture evenly on top. Add another 1 cup of shredded cheese, and finish with another 2 cups of corn chips on top.
- Bake: Place the assembled casserole in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through and the cheese is melted.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and garnish with chopped tomatoes, lettuce, black olives, scallions, fresh cilantro, sour cream, avocado or guacamole, and hot sauce as desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- You can customize the toppings based on preference; some popular additions include jalapeños, diced onions, and extra hot sauce for spice lovers.
- To make this dish vegetarian, substitute the ground beef with a plant-based meat alternative and use vegetable broth if needed.
- For a spicier version, add cayenne pepper or fresh chopped chilies to the meat mixture while cooking.
- Make sure to drain excess fat from the beef to avoid a greasy casserole.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
