Frito pie is legendary in the Southwest for being spicy, salty and cheesy fabulous. Here’s my easy take on this crunchy classic. —Jan Moon, Alamogordo, New Mexico
Preheat oven to 350°. In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat 6-8 minutes or until beef is no longer pink and onion is tender, breaking up beef into crumbles; drain. Stir in beans; heat through.
Reserve 1 cup corn chips for topping. Place remaining corn chips in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Layer with meat mixture, enchilada sauce and cheese; top with reserved chips.
Bake, uncovered, 15-20 minutes or until cheese is melted. If desired, sprinkle with green onions.
Frito Pie Tips
Where did Frito pie originate?
This Frito pie casserole is inspired by the "walking taco", which is believed to have been invented at a New Mexico Woolworth’s drugstore in 1960.
Frito pie is a flexible casserole that you can customize with other stir-ins such as minced green chilies, sliced black olives, diced tomatoes, chopped onion or frozen corn kernels.
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Average Rating:
dlynsmith9
Aug 19, 2020
I used taco sauce instead of enchilada sauce and it was delicious. My husband loved it.
Justin
Feb 12, 2020
Was a big hit. My family loved it. Only thing I'd say wasn't a huge hit was the spice but its settle so wasn't to bad.
Roddy
Jun 2, 2019
I used jalapenos corn chips to spice things up. I put one can of the enchilada sauce on the bottom, and the other can was placed on top to ensure all the meat was seasoned. It turned out really well. Thanks for the easy recipe.
Denise
May 22, 2019
No comment left
Michelle
Apr 16, 2019
This is the worst recipe for frito pie I’ve ever seen. Nothing but mushy gross chips at the bottom after you dump all that ENCHILADA SAUCE! Weird! All over them and bake. Ugh! I guess the enchilada sauce is supposed to serve as the seasonings? Then where’s the toppings which to each there own? Salsa, sour cream, guacamole, tomato’s. Go find yourself a real frito pie recipe, because if you’ve never had it (and it’s delicious) this recipe will make sure you never have it again.
S.B.
Jan 23, 2019
Was a pretty good basic recipe. I switched it up by seasoning the beef with one packet of Goya Sazon, adobo, garlic powder and pepper. I didn't see anything called ranch beans at my market so I bought red beans in olive oil and tomato sauce, did not drain them as it's not much liquid anyway. Used 1 can of mild and one can of hot enchilada sauce (distracted shopping w kids) and the food came out great. They enjoyed it, so I will make it again my way.
Jeri
Apr 28, 2018
Not a well-written recipe .... surprised is an award winner. Bland. The recipe doesn't state whether to keep the ranch bean juice. Do people that post recipes ever actually follow their own steps? Sloppy.
Summy
Feb 24, 2018
No comment left
Roger
Dec 15, 2017
The REAL FRITO PIE...from a REAL TEXAN! Just make your favorite chile (with or without beans) get a bowl of Fritos...pure on the chile...put cheese and onions on top....mix it up and EAT IT UP!!!! SOOOOGOOOD!!!! When I was a kid...we could buy a Frito pie at the little league games for a quarter, right in the Frito bag!
Vickylynn00
Sep 23, 2017
Oh, good grief. This is *not* Frito pie. First off, most Texans would sooner move to New York City than put beans in their chili (though Ranch Style Beans are amazing, native to Texas and great in nearly any other recipe). Also, enchilada sauce is for enchiladas, not chili. If you want a semi-homemade easy chili, brown ground beef, add your favorite picante sauce, garlic, cumin, chili powder.The most traditional way to make Frito pie is to heat up a can of Wolf Brand Chili. Slice open the side seam of a small bag of Fritos, top with chili, shredded cheddar and chopped onions. Served at every self respecting high school stadium concession stand during football games. Best enjoyed while freezing your rear end off on the cold bleachers. Builds character.
Reviews
I used taco sauce instead of enchilada sauce and it was delicious. My husband loved it.
Was a big hit. My family loved it. Only thing I'd say wasn't a huge hit was the spice but its settle so wasn't to bad.
I used jalapenos corn chips to spice things up. I put one can of the enchilada sauce on the bottom, and the other can was placed on top to ensure all the meat was seasoned. It turned out really well. Thanks for the easy recipe.
No comment left
This is the worst recipe for frito pie I’ve ever seen. Nothing but mushy gross chips at the bottom after you dump all that ENCHILADA SAUCE! Weird! All over them and bake. Ugh! I guess the enchilada sauce is supposed to serve as the seasonings? Then where’s the toppings which to each there own? Salsa, sour cream, guacamole, tomato’s. Go find yourself a real frito pie recipe, because if you’ve never had it (and it’s delicious) this recipe will make sure you never have it again.
Was a pretty good basic recipe. I switched it up by seasoning the beef with one packet of Goya Sazon, adobo, garlic powder and pepper. I didn't see anything called ranch beans at my market so I bought red beans in olive oil and tomato sauce, did not drain them as it's not much liquid anyway. Used 1 can of mild and one can of hot enchilada sauce (distracted shopping w kids) and the food came out great. They enjoyed it, so I will make it again my way.
Not a well-written recipe .... surprised is an award winner. Bland. The recipe doesn't state whether to keep the ranch bean juice. Do people that post recipes ever actually follow their own steps? Sloppy.
No comment left
The REAL FRITO PIE...from a REAL TEXAN! Just make your favorite chile (with or without beans) get a bowl of Fritos...pure on the chile...put cheese and onions on top....mix it up and EAT IT UP!!!! SOOOOGOOOD!!!! When I was a kid...we could buy a Frito pie at the little league games for a quarter, right in the Frito bag!
Oh, good grief. This is *not* Frito pie. First off, most Texans would sooner move to New York City than put beans in their chili (though Ranch Style Beans are amazing, native to Texas and great in nearly any other recipe). Also, enchilada sauce is for enchiladas, not chili. If you want a semi-homemade easy chili, brown ground beef, add your favorite picante sauce, garlic, cumin, chili powder.The most traditional way to make Frito pie is to heat up a can of Wolf Brand Chili. Slice open the side seam of a small bag of Fritos, top with chili, shredded cheddar and chopped onions. Served at every self respecting high school stadium concession stand during football games. Best enjoyed while freezing your rear end off on the cold bleachers. Builds character.