Description
This Easy Frito Pie Casserole recipe combines ground beef chili with crunchy Fritos and melted cheddar cheese into a comforting, layered casserole. Perfect for gatherings or a hearty weeknight dinner, it’s baked to bubbly perfection and served with tangy sour cream and fresh scallions.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chili
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons onion powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¾ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon chipotle powder
- 6 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- ½ cup beef broth
For the Casserole
- 9 cups lightly crushed Fritos corn chips
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Sour cream, for serving
- Sliced scallions, for serving
Instructions
- Make the Chili: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef with the diced onions until cooked through. Drain any excess grease. Stir in minced garlic, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, ground cumin, chipotle powder, and tomato paste. Cook this mixture for about 2 minutes to let the spices bloom. Then add tomato sauce and beef broth, reduce heat, and let it simmer gently for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to blend all flavors.
- Preheat the Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish lightly to prevent sticking.
- Assemble the Casserole: Layer half of the lightly crushed Fritos in the baking dish as the base. Spoon half of the prepared chili evenly over the chips. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar cheese on top. Repeat these layers once more, finishing with cheese on top.
- Bake the Casserole: Cover the casserole baking dish with foil, then bake it in the preheated oven for 20-30 minutes until the casserole is heated through and the cheese has melted completely.
- Crisp the Topping: Remove the foil and return the dish to the oven for an additional 10 minutes. This will crisp up the Fritos topping and add a delightful texture to the casserole.
- Serve: Once baked, serve the casserole hot with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of sliced scallions for fresh flavor and brightness.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version.
- Adjust the chipotle powder to control the spice level.
- For a vegetarian alternative, substitute the beef with cooked lentils and use vegetable broth.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
- To make it gluten-free, verify that Fritos and all seasoning are gluten-free.
