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Frito Chili Pie Casserole Recipe

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3.8 from 12 reviews

This Frito Chili Pie Casserole is a comforting, family-style dish that layers hot, flavorful chili over a crunchy bed of Fritos corn chips, all topped with melted cheddar cheese and a variety of fresh, tangy toppings like sour cream, pickled jalapeños, and chopped onions and tomatoes. Perfect for cold weather, it combines savory ground beef chili with satisfying textures for a crowd-pleasing meal.

  • Author: Zara
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 6-8 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup chopped white onion
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 (15 ounce) can red kidney beans, drained
  • 1 (9.25 ounce) package Fritos original corn chips
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Toppings

  • Sour cream
  • Pickled jalapeño slices
  • Cherry tomatoes, chopped
  • White onion, chopped
  • Green onions, chopped

Instructions

  1. Sauté Onions: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped white onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
  2. Brown the Beef: Add the ground beef to the pot. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon to break the meat into small pieces, until it is browned evenly.
  3. Add Seasonings: Stir in the chili powder, brown sugar, garlic powder, ground cumin, and kosher salt until the spices are well combined with the beef and onions.
  4. Add Tomato Sauce and Beans: Pour in the tomato sauce and add the drained red kidney beans. Stir everything together thoroughly, then remove the pot from heat.
  5. Prepare Casserole Dish and Layer: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray. Spread the Fritos evenly across the bottom of the dish. Spoon the prepared chili mixture evenly over the Fritos, then sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top.
  6. Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for about 10 minutes or until the cheese has fully melted and is bubbly.
  7. Serve and Top: Remove from oven and let the casserole set for a few minutes. Add dollops of sour cream and top with pickled jalapeño slices, chopped cherry tomatoes, chopped white onion, and chopped green onions. Alternatively, serve the casserole allowing each person to add their preferred toppings to individual servings.

Notes

  • Use lean ground beef to reduce fat content and prevent excess grease.
  • You can substitute kidney beans with black beans or pinto beans if preferred.
  • To make it milder, omit or reduce the chili powder and pickled jalapeños.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace ground beef with a plant-based meat substitute and use vegetable broth if needed.
  • If you prefer extra crispy Fritos, add them fresh as a topping instead of layering them before baking.

Find it online: https://zaracooking.com/frito-chili-pie-casserole-recipe/