Easy Frito Pie Recipe

Jump to Recipe

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read our disclosure policy

This Easy Frito Pie Recipe is a cheesy ground beef and pinto bean casserole with a whole layer of crunchy Fritos baked right on top. The filling comes together in one skillet with taco seasoning, green chiles, and red enchilada sauce, then it all goes in the oven just long enough to melt the cheese. If your family already loves my Crescent Roll Taco Bake Recipe, this one belongs on the same rotation.

A wooden spoon scooping out some frito pie for the casserole dish.

It's hearty, it feeds a crowd, and it's the kind of dinner where everybody builds their own plate. Set out tomatoes, black olives, shredded lettuce, and cilantro, and let people pile on what they like. Serve it with Restaurant Style Mexican Rice on the side, or a bowl of Cowboy Guacamole for game day.

Quick Look: Easy Frito Pie

⏱️ Prep Time: 15 minutes
🕒 Total Time: 45 minutes
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Servings: 8
📊 Calories: 443 per serving
🥣 Ingredients: Ground beef, onion, taco seasoning, chili powder, cumin, green chiles, pinto beans, red enchilada sauce, cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Fritos
⭐ Difficulty: Easy — brown the beef, stir in the rest, top it, and bake

Summarize & Save This Content On

Table of Contents

Why You'll Love This Recipe

One Skillet, One Dish. The filling cooks in a single skillet, then goes straight into the baking dish.

Crunch on Every Scoop. A full layer of Fritos sits on top of the cheese, so every bite gets some.

Feeds a Crowd. One 9x13 makes 8 servings.

For more easy ground beef dinners, try my Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole or this Beef Enchiladas Skillet.

Ingredients Needed

All of the ingredients for this frito pie.

Ground beef: 80/20 has the most flavor. Drain off the fat after browning so the filling doesn't turn greasy. Leaner beef works too, and ground turkey will work, though the texture changes a little.
Pinto beans: Drain them before they go in so the extra liquid doesn't thin out the filling. Canned black beans are a good swap.
Fritos: Plan on about half a bag to cover a 9x13 edge to edge.

How to Make Easy Frito Pie

Ground beef and onions cooked in a skillet seasonings added with the beans. then placed into a white baking dish.

Step 1: Brown the ground beef in a large skillet, drain the fat, then add the onion.
Step 2: Stir in the taco seasoning, chili powder, and cumin.
Step 3: Add the green chiles, drained pinto beans, and enchilada sauce, and let it simmer for a few minutes.
Step 4: Spread the filling evenly in a 9x13 baking dish.

Frito pie placed into a casserole dish and fritos on top.

Step 5: Cover the filling with the cheddar and Monterey Jack.
Step 6: Top with an even layer of Fritos and bake until the cheese is melted.

Frito pie in a casserole dish with a wooden spoon.

Recipe Tips

Don't skimp on the Fritos. A thin, patchy layer leaves bare spots of cheese. Spread them all the way to the edges so every scoop gets some crunch.
No need to grease the dish. The filling is moist enough that it doesn't stick.
Add fresh toppings at the table. Lettuce, tomatoes, and cilantro wilt in the oven, so add them after baking.
Serve it right out of the oven. The Fritos are at their crunchiest then and soften as the casserole sits.

Recipe FAQ's

What is Frito pie?

Frito pie is Fritos corn chips topped with a seasoned beef filling (often chili) and melted cheese. It's most closely tied to Texas and New Mexico, and both have a claim to it. This version is the baked casserole kind, made in a 9x13 so you can feed the whole family at once.

Is this the same as Frito chili pie?

It's the same idea with a similar flavor, thanks to the chili powder, cumin, and red enchilada sauce. The difference is the filling. A Frito chili pie starts with a pot of chili, while this one uses taco-seasoned ground beef and pinto beans.

What's the difference between Frito pie and a walking taco?

A walking taco is served right in a single-serve bag of chips, so you eat it on the go. Frito pie uses the same basic ingredients but is baked in a dish and served by the scoop.

Why cook the filling before it goes in the oven?

The beef needs to be fully cooked, and simmering the filling on the stove lets the seasonings, green chiles, and enchilada sauce come together. The oven just heats everything through and melts the cheese under the Fritos.

How do I store and reheat leftovers?

Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave at 50 to 60 percent power for 2 to 3 minutes. The Fritos will soften in the fridge, so leftovers won't be as crunchy as the first night.