Description
Homemade Frito pie combines hearty Texas-style chili with crisp corn chips for a delicious comfort meal. Layers of savory meat, melted cheese, and zesty toppings create a quick, satisfying dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) ranch-style beans
- 1 cup (150 g) corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen)
- 1 can (10 oz / 283 g) diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 ½ cups (170 g) cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 ¼ oz (35 g) bag of Fritos, divided
Instructions
- Preparation: Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C), positioning the rack centrally for uniform heat distribution.
- Base Layer: Create a foundational layer of Fritos corn chips across the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish, covering approximately three-quarters of the surface.
- Meat Preparation: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown ground beef with onions, cooking thoroughly until meat loses its pink coloration and develops a rich, caramelized exterior.
- Seasoning Integration: Drain excess fat, then reintroduce meat to the skillet, incorporating taco seasoning and stirring to ensure comprehensive flavor penetration.
- Sauce Construction: Merge diced tomatoes, ranch-style beans, and corn kernels into the seasoned meat mixture, allowing ingredients to meld and develop a cohesive, robust sauce.
- Assembly: Spread the beef mixture evenly across the Fritos base, creating a consistent layer that ensures each bite contains a balanced combination of ingredients.
- Cheese Topping: Lavishly distribute shredded cheddar cheese over the entire surface, covering the meat mixture completely.
- Baking: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, monitoring until cheese melts into a golden, bubbling masterpiece.
- Finishing Touch: Garnish with remaining Fritos for added textural contrast, and serve immediately with optional accompaniments like sour cream, jalapeños, or fresh tomatoes.
Notes
- Optimize Chip Placement: Layer Fritos evenly to create a sturdy, crispy base that prevents sogginess and ensures every bite has perfect chip coverage.
- Control Meat Moisture: Thoroughly drain excess fat after browning beef to prevent a greasy texture and maintain the dish’s intended richness.
- Balance Seasoning Technique: Mix taco seasoning completely into meat, allowing spices to distribute uniformly for consistent flavor in every serving.
- Temperature Precision: Watch cheese closely during final baking to achieve that perfect golden, melted topping without burning or overcooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking, Frying
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg