Description

A quick and easy homemade comfort food featuring layers of crispy Fritos, spicy chili, and melted cheddar cheese baked to perfection. Perfect for game nights, potlucks, or cozy family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Fritos Original Corn Chips
1 pound ground beef (lean or regular)
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
1 cup tomato sauce (240 ml)
1/2 cup beef broth (120 ml)
1 can kidney beans (15 oz / 425 g), drained and rinsed (optional)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (about 200 g)
1–2 fresh jalapeños, sliced (optional)
2 stalks green onions, chopped
Sour cream, for serving
Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes, breaking it apart as it cooks.
Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the beef and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Toast the spices for about 1 minute.
Pour in the tomato sauce and beef broth, then stir in the drained kidney beans. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until slightly thickened.
Spread half of the Fritos evenly on the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Spoon half of the chili mixture over the Fritos, spreading gently to cover.
Sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar cheese over the chili.
Repeat layers with remaining Fritos, chili, and cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and golden brown on the edges.
Remove from oven, garnish with sliced jalapeños and chopped green onions, and serve warm with dollops of sour cream.

Notes

Keep an eye on the cheese in the last few minutes to prevent burning. For extra crispy chips, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end but watch closely. Let the pie cool for 5-10 minutes after baking to set layers for easier slicing. For gluten-free, ensure spices and chips are certified gluten-free. Substitute ground beef with turkey or plant-based crumbles for different diets. Freeze chili separately to maintain chip crunch.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6 of the pie
Calories: 475
Sugar: 4
Sodium: 700
Fat: 25
Saturated Fat: 10
Carbohydrates: 30
Fiber: 6
Protein: 25

Keywords: Frito pie, comfort food, chili, cheesy, crispy, easy recipe, game day food, potluck, loaded Frito pie