Description
Frito Chili Pie is a comforting and hearty Tex-Mex dish featuring a savory chili made with ground beef, kidney beans, and a blend of spices, served over a crispy bed of Fritos corn chips and topped with melted cheddar cheese and fresh, zesty garnishes for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chili Ingredients
- 1 pound (454 g) 85/15 ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 14 ounce (397 g) can kidney beans, undrained
- 5.5 ounce (156 g) can tomato paste
- 10 ounce (284 g) can diced tomatoes and green chiles
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
Base and Toppings
- 9.25 ounce (262 g) bag of Fritos corn chips
- 1 cup (113 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- Diced onions (optional)
- Diced jalapeno peppers (optional)
- Sour cream (optional)
- Sliced green onions (optional)
- Diced tomatoes (optional)
- Chopped bell peppers (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the Beef and Aromatics: In a large skillet or pot over medium heat, cook the ground beef along with the diced onion and minced garlic until the beef is thoroughly browned and the onions are softened. Drain any excess fat from the skillet to reduce greasiness.
- Add Remaining Chili Ingredients: Into the same skillet, add the undrained kidney beans, tomato paste, diced tomatoes and green chiles, chili powder, salt, sugar, and ground cumin. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Simmer the Chili: Lower the heat to medium-low and let the chili simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and allow the flavors to meld while the chili thickens.
- Prepare the Base: Spread the Fritos corn chips onto a large serving dish or distribute onto individual plates. This crispy layer will serve as the base for the chili pie.
- Assemble and Serve: Ladle the hot chili evenly over the Fritos. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese on top so it melts slightly from the warmth of the chili. Add optional toppings like diced onions, jalapenos, sour cream, sliced green onions, diced tomatoes, or chopped bell peppers as you desire. Serve immediately for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- Drain the fat from the cooked beef to prevent the chili from becoming too greasy.
- Simmering the chili uncovered helps thicken the sauce and deepen the flavors.
- Customize toppings according to your taste preferences for extra spice or creaminess.
- Serve immediately after assembly to keep Fritos crispy.
- This dish is great for casual gatherings and is easy to scale for larger groups.
