Frito Pie Casserole could be the easiest way to make classic comfort food when you crave a hot meal but don’t want to cook. This delicious Tex Mex recipe can be prepared in 5 minutes, simply by layering 3 ingredients in a pan and baking until bubbly.
This is the easiest Frito Pie Casserole!
This Frito Pie Casserole is the perfect one-pan dinner, easily made with only 3 ingredients, and because the chili comes from a can, there’s no cooking needed!
What is Frito Pie?
This casserole consists of hearty chili, crunchy corn chips, and plenty of cheese, all layered in a pie pan and baked until bubbling.
I love how the corn chips on the bottom of this dish soften, similar to a tortilla, while the Fritos on top remain crispy and crunchy.
Serve this Frito Pie Casserole piled on a plate or for a fun variation, make individual “walking Frito pie” portions, and eat the chili and cheese directly from the bag of chips.
While I appreciate the convenience of using canned chili in this shortcut recipe, you can also fill your Frito Pie Casserole with my homemade Turkey Chili, Slow Cooker Chili, or Instant Pot Chili.
Why We Love Frito Pie Casserole
- Quick and easy to assemble in 5 minutes.
- Only uses 3 ingredients.
- A warm and comforting classic that the entire family will love.
- Delicious layers of crunchy Fritos, hearty chili, and lots of melted cheese.
- Great for game day, tailgating, family get-togethers, and potlucks.
- Easily feeds a crowd for dinner or eat leftovers for lunch the next day.
Chili Cheese Frito Pie Ingredients
- Bag of Fritos corn chips
- Canned chili with beans
- Colby jack cheese
- Optional garnishes: green onions, jalapeno, chopped parsley, sour cream
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Frito Chili Pie Recipe Substitutions and Additions
- Change The Chip: Feel free to try this with the chili cheese Fritos, Scoops, or use other corn tortilla chips if desired. You will need a little less than a 9.25 ounce bag of chips for this recipe.
- Choose Your Cheese: Any type of melty cheese will work for this recipe. You can use shredded or brick cheese, cheddar, mozzarella, or a mixed cheese.
- Mix-Ins: Before you layer on the chili, pour it all into a bowl and stir in some minced onion, bell peppers,jalapenos, black beans, or some taco seasoning for additional flavor.
- Tasty Toppings: After the casserole comes out of the oven you can sprinkle on some olives, diced tomatoes, cilantro, guacamole, avocado, and/or onions.
Recommended tools for making Frito Chili Pie
- 2 quart pan of 9×13 inch baking dish
- Measuring tools
How to make Frito Pie
Frito Pie Casserole is so quick and easy to make, simply by layering 3 basic ingredients in a single pan and baking it. So simple, yet so flavorful and delicious!
- Assemble: Place a layer of Fritos on the bottom of the casserole dish and cover with the chili. Alternate the topping by adding layers of Fritos and cheese until evenly distributed.
- Bake: Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the chili is bubbling on the sides.
- Serve: Top with green onions, jalapeno slices, or minced parsley, optional. Plate and serve warm with a side of sour cream, optional. Enjoy!
Frito Chili Pie Tips
- Feel free to add more cheese! You can mix cheese into the chips, chili or just layer it on thickly on the top. With this recipe, the more cheese the better.
- You can put a Southwestern spin on this casserole by adding some salsa, corn, taco seasoning, and diced chiles.
Frito Pie Casserole Storage
- To Store: You can keep this casserole covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To Freeze: Cool the casserole, wrap it tightly, and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- To Reheat: Reheat your casserole in the microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute or in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes.
- This casserole doesn’t store very well as the chips tend to get soggy. I recommend adding fresh chips when you reheat and serve it.
Frito Chili Pie FAQs
Feel free to cook and make your own chili with ground beef, ground chicken, or ground turkey. I love the simplicity of using canned chili, but you can absolutely make your own.
This recipe can easily be adapted for individual serving. To make a walking taco or taco in a bag, prepare the filling and simmer on the stove top (instead of baking).
Use single serving Fritos corn chips bags and scoop the heated filling directly into the bag right on top of the Fritos. Hand it off to a hungry friend to add their favorite toppings! No mess and no dishes to clean!
No, walking tacos are when you take a bag of Doritos or Fritos and stuff all of your favorite taco toppings in and eat it right out of the bag! Frito Pie is more similar to a casserole.
Some of our favorite things to serve with Frito Pie is Spanish rice, Mexican Street Corn or even a simple side salad.
Frito pie is said to have come from Texas – but now people around the country enjoy it every day.
Other Easy Casserole Recipes
- Tater Tot Casserole
- Dorito Taco Casserole
- Twice Baked Potato Casserole
- Sloppy Joe Casserole
- Stuffed Pepper Casserole
- Pineapple Casserole
- Chicken Parmesan Casserole
Chili Cheese Frito Pie Casserole
Ingredients
- 4 cups Fritos corn chips divided in half
- 30 ounces (2 15-ounce cans) chili with beans
- 2 cups shredded Colby jack cheese
- Optional garnishes: green onions, jalapeno, chopped parsley, sour cream
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a 2 quart or 9×13 inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
- Layer 2 cups of Frito corn chips onto the bottom of the casserole dish.
- Pour the chili with beans over the corn chips as evenly as possible.
- Alternate the topping by adding on 2 cups of Fritos and cheese until evenly distributed.
- Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the chili is bubbling on the sides.
- Remove from the oven and top with green onions, jalapeno slices, or minced parsley, optional.
- Plate and serve warm with a side of sour cream, optional.
Jenn’s Notes
- To Store: You can keep this casserole covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To Freeze: Cool the casserole, wrap it tightly, and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- To Reheat: Reheat your casserole in the microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute or in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes.
- Feel free to add more cheese! You can mix cheese into the chips, chili or just layer it on thickly on the top. With this recipe, the more cheese the better.
- You can put a Southwestern spin on this casserole by adding some salsa, corn, taco seasoning, and diced chiles.
I used homemade chili rather then canned, but this was SO good! Everyone loved it. Thank you!
We loved the frito pie casserole Thank you for the recipe.
I haven’t tried it yet. But I will. I still give it a 4 star rating.
yummy, yummy, yummy!!!!
I’ve been making this dish for over 40 years. I first had it when I lived in Texas and yhe Dairy Queen places served this one Thier menu.
Only thing I would suggest is to use the chili/cheese flavored Fritos for even more added flavor.
Looks so good