This Frito chili pie combines homemade beef chili, crunchy corn chips, and melted cheddar cheese for a comforting dinner. Ready in 35 minutes, it serves two without leaving a big pot of chili to finish later.
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I always look forward to a warm bowl of chili on a cold winter's day, and this easy Frito pie adds a little crunch to that familiar comfort food. I love the combination of homemade chili, salty corn chips, and melted cheese. When I want something extra on the side, I serve it with my small batch cornbread for two.
This recipe makes enough for two without leaving us with a big pot of chili to finish throughout the week. The chili cooks in just 20 minutes, and I only need one pot, which keeps cleanup simple. It's an easy way to change up our dinner routine while keeping the portions manageable.
When I want the slow cooker to handle most of the cooking, I turn to my crockpot chili for two. It gives me more time away from the kitchen while still making enough for a cozy dinner at home.
Ingredients
With a handful of ingredients, you can enjoy this one pot Frito chili pie in just a short time. Here are the ingredients we need to make this recipe:
- Frito corn chips- The star of the show! You can use any type of corn chips for the chili.
- Ground beef- Although ground beef is typically used, you can easily use type of ground meat.
- Aromatics- A small, chopped onion is used along with fragrant garlic to bring out the flavors in the dish.
- Tomato paste- For this chili, a small amount of tomato paste is used.
- Rotel- A can of Rotel is used but you can also use a can of diced tomatoes and green chilis if that is what you have on hand.
- Kidney beans-Kidney beans are typically used but feel free to use whatever type of beans you like.
- Seasonings- What would chili be without seasonings? You'll need chili powder, cumin and paprika for this recipe.
- Cheddar cheese- Shredded cheese to top the chili.Green onions- A garnish to the chili that adds extra flavor.
Scroll down to the recipe card for quantities used.
Instructions
Gather all your ingredients and one pot for the stovetop. Here are the instructions on how to make Frito chili pies:
Add the ground beef and onions to a pot over high to medium heat, and saute until the meat is browned and the onions are softened. Drain the excess grease.
Reduce the heat to medium, and add in the garlic and chili powder.
Add in the tomato paste.
Sprinkle in cumin and sauté for an additional minute, stirring to combine well.
Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the beans.
Pour in the Rotel. Cover the pot and simmer over medium low for 10 minutes.
Layer 1 ounce of Frito chips into the bottom of two serving bowls or plates.
Top with an equal mixture of the chili, and then sprinkle with cheese on top. Garnish with green onions before serving.
Hint: Use a small single-serving bag of Fritos for the perfect amount for each taco pie.
Variations
You can customize this Frito pie recipe in various ways. Here are a few ideas that you might like to give a try:
- Switch up the meat. Any ground meat will work for this recipe such as chicken, turkey or venison instead of beef.
- Make it vegetarian. Turn this dish into a meatless chili recipe and just add more beans to the recipe.
- Use Doritos. Instead of traditional Fritos corn chips, use nacho cheese Doritos to give it an even more cheesy taste to the chili.
- Add rice. You can add about a ½ cup of rice to the chili. The chili is a thicker sauce chili so you might want to add a bit of water to help thin it out. Adjust according to your liking.
- Slow cooker. You can make this recipe in the slow cooker. Just brown meat and sauté onions before transferring to a slow cooker. Place additional ingredients in except chips and cheese. Heat on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours. Serve with the chips and top with cheese.
- Add more crunch. If you'd like to add more crunch to the top of the chili then these homemade tortilla strips are perfect.
Tips
Top tip: Simmer the chili. Make sure to cover the pot and let simmer on the stove. This allows the ingredients and flavors to all blend nicely together.
- Shred the cheese. I recommend shredding your own cheese to ensure the cheese melts nicely on top of the chili. Pre-shredded cheese has an anti-caking agent to preserve freshness, which means it will not melt as well.
- Top with cheese while chili is hot. Serve it hot to ensure the cheese melts well and you have that gooey chili cheese texture.
- Be adventurous with toppings. There are so many amazing things you can add to chili. You can top with sour cream, diced onions, peppers, tomatoes, jalapenos, shredded lettuce, avocados, and tortilla strips.
Storage
Place all remaining chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. I would not refrigerate the chips with the chili as they will get soggy. Place remaining chips in a sealed zip lock bag on the countertop.
For freezing, place chili only in a freezer safe bag or container. It should be good for up to 3 months.
FAQs
This chili is mildly spicy since we are using chili powder, cumin and paprika. You can add red pepper flakes or jalapenos if you want to make it even spicier. If you want it less spicy, you can omit any of the spices or play around with them to see which combinations you enjoy.
Absolutely! You can make this chili meatless. Just double up on the beans in place of the meat.
I like to add extra cheese, sour cream, diced peppers, tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, shredded lettuce, avocadoes, and green onions.
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Recipe
Frito Chili Pie
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Frito corn chips
- ½ pound Ground beef
- ½ onion chopped
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 3 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup Rotel undrained
- 1 cup kidney beans rinsed and drained
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Add the ground beef and onions to a pot over medium high heat, and saute until the meat is browned and the onions are softened. Drain the excess grease.
- Reduce the heat to medium, and add in the garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika and tomato paste. Saute for an additional minute, stirring to combine well.
- Pour in the Rotel and beans, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cover the pot and simmer over medium low for 10 minutes.
- Layer 1 ounce of Frito chips into the bottom of two serving bowls or plates.
- Top with an equal mixture of the chili, and then sprinkle with cheese on top.
- Garnish with green onions before serving.
debbie says
Thanks. I need the help with great recipes!
Naomi says
It has been ages since I ate Frito's corn chips, and I had just recently bought a bag. I still love them! I used half the bag to make this Frito Pie for our supper. I loved that too!
Liz says
This is my husbands new favorite recipe haha he asked me to add it to the regular rotation! Thanks!