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Chili Cheese Frito Pie
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This chili cheese Frito pie is the ultimate cozy comfort food, combining hearty seasoned chili, crunchy corn chips, and melty cheese in a warm, satisfying dish that’s perfect for cold nights, game days, or casual family dinners. With a base of rich, savory chili layered over crisp Fritos and finished with gooey cheddar and your favorite toppings, it delivers bold flavor and texture in every bite. If you’re looking for more shareable game day inspo, be sure to try these loaded three-cheese chicken nachos or my Taco Bell chalupa.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Classic comfort – Hearty chili, crunchy Fritos, and melted cheese deliver nostalgic, satisfying flavor.
- Crowd-pleasing – Great for game days, potlucks, or any time you want a fun, delicious meal.
- Easy to customize – Add toppings like jalapeños, sour cream, or green onions to make it your own.
Why Frito Pie is the Ultimate Comfort Food
Frito pie is the perfect embodiment of comfort food: a hearty, satisfying dish that combines familiar flavors and textures in a way that brings back memories of cozy nights and shared meals with loved ones. The chili provides protein, while the cheese adds richness. Of course, the Fritos add an extra layer of crunch that makes each bite more satisfying. It’s a simple and nostalgic dish that offers plenty of opportunity for customization. Serve it for a family gathering or as a great tailgating treat.
Key Ingredients in This Recipe
- Ground beef – I use a blend of 80/20 ground beef which means it’s 80% lean beef and 20% fat. The fat adds flavor though it can be swapped for a leaner cut, like 90/10. Look for ground beef with a red color, when it turns brown on the outside it has oxidized.
- Canned tomatoes – I add canned diced tomatoes which add a rich tomato flavor and break down well into the chili during the quick simmer time. Look for cans with no preservatives – they break down quickly into the sauce.
- Tomato paste – Tomato paste adds a highly concentrated tomato flavor while helping to thicken the chili. While I typically recommend buying tomato paste in a tube so it can be resealed, you can use the whole can called for in this recipe.
- Spices – This chili is seasoned with a combination of paprika which adds a deep color to the chili, while the Ancho chili powder adds a deep, sweet and smoky flavor. Ancho chili powder comes from dried poblano peppers, so it has a mild heat.
- Beer – Lager beer is cooked with the chili to provide flavor as well as a liquid to keep the chili from drying out. If you don’t want to cook with beer, swap it with chicken stock.
- Cheese – Shredded Cheddar cheese and pepper jack cheese are spread over the top of the chili in a skillet or baking dish before it’s baked. Both shredded cheeses are semi-soft so they melt well, adding a stingy, cheesy layer over the Frito pie.
- Fritos® – Frito corn chips add a satisfying crunch to this casserole-style meal. Adding the Fritos on top of the melted cheese provides a barrier between the chili, keeping it crunchy!
A full ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Pro Tip
For the crispiest texture, layer Fritos on the bottom and broil the assembled pie for 2–3 minutes at the end so the cheese gets bubbly and the edges crisp up beautifully.
Swaps and Substitutions
- Beef: Substitute ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for a lighter or vegetarian version.
- Chips: Use tortilla chips, Doritos, or corn chips if Fritos aren’t available.
- Cheese: Swap cheddar for Monterey jack, pepper jack, or a Mexican cheese blend.
- Beans: Add black beans or kidney beans for extra fiber and heartiness.
- Heat: Adjust spice level by adding diced jalapeños or hot sauce.
How to Make the Best Chili Cheese Frito Pie (Step-by-Step)
Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium heat, add the oil and heat through. Add the beef and cook until browned, about 8 minutes. Season with salt.
Then add the onion and sauté until opaque, about 6 minutes.
Next, stir in the chili powder and paprika. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste and beer, stirring to combine.
Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer until the mixture thickens, about 15 to 20 minutes.
Heat oven to 350ºF (180ºC). Evenly spread the cheeses on top and bake until the cheeses have melted, about 20 minutes.
Serve topped with sour cream, Fritos, green onions, jalapeños and onion.
How to Serve Frito Pie
- Family-style: Spoon straight from the casserole dish with extra toppings on the side.
- With sides: Pair with a crisp green salad or coleslaw to balance the richness.
- For entertaining: Serve in individual ramekins with toppings like sour cream, pico de gallo, or sliced avocados.
To Serve Bar-Style for a Party
While my chili Frito pie is made in a skillet or casserole dish to easily serve a crowd you can also wait to add the toppings and instead serve the chili in a large pot alongside small, individual bags of Fritos (there are even chili cheese flavored corn chips now). Serve with the toppings in individual bowls so guests can scoop chili over the top of the Frito bags and add toppings based on preference. It’s a great way to allow guests to customize the experience and eat while walking around!
How to Store Frito Pie
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Warm gently in the oven or stovetop to maintain texture.
- Freezing: Freeze the chili base (without chips) for up to 2 months; add fresh chips when reheating.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Chili cheese frito pie is a hearty layered dish featuring warm chili, crunchy Fritos, and melted cheese — a comfort-food favorite.
Yes. Prepare the chili base ahead and assemble with chips and cheese just before baking for best texture.
It can be gluten-free if you use certified gluten-free chips and check that all seasonings and chili ingredients are gluten-free.
Absolutely. Use plant-based crumbles or extra beans in place of ground beef.
Popular toppings include sour cream, green onions, jalapeños, cilantro, and diced tomatoes.
Other Recipes to Try
If you couldn’t get enough of this easy Frito pie recipe, try one (or all!) of these comforting recipes:
Thanks for cooking with me! If you made this recipe, leave a 🌟 rating and share your thoughts or tips below. I’d love to hear from you!
Chili Cheese Frito Pie
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Ingredients:
For the Texas beef chili:
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 pounds ground beef (80/20 blend)
- Kosher salt, as needed
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon Ancho chili powder
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
- 1 cup lager beer
- 1½ cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded pepper Jack cheese
For serving:
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 cups Frito corn chips
- ¼ cup thinly sliced green onions
- ¼ cup pickled jalapeño slices
- ¼ cup diced yellow onion
Instructions:
For the Texas beef chili:
- Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium heat, add the oil and heat through. Add the beef and cook until browned, about 8 minutes. Season with salt.
- Then add the onion and sauté until opaque, about 6 minutes.
- Next, stir in the chili powder and paprika. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste and beer, stirring to combine.
- Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer until the mixture thickens, about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Heat oven to 350ºF (180ºC). Evenly spread the cheeses on top and bake until the cheeses have melted, about 20 minutes.
For serving:
- Serve topped with sour cream, Fritos, green onions, jalapeños and onion.
Notes:
Nutrition:
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Made this tonight. Made exactly as written. It was So delicious!. Topped ours with sour cream, green onion, red onion, pickled jalapeños, sour cream and cilantro. Going to heat up leftovers and top with a poached egg and tater tot’s for breakfast. Thank you for the recipe.
I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe Julie!! I love that idea for breakfast – that sounds like a perfect combo that I will absolutely be doing ASAP!!!
This is so good!! I made it twice, followed your recipe first time, was delicious. The second time I added 1/4 cup of grape jelly and 1 tsp of ground chipotle pepper. My family loves it. Try the jelly in any red chili recipe, you’ll be surprised at how awesome it is. It will make everyone ask what your secret is.
I’m so intrigued!!! Will absolutely be giving that a try next time Brandi! Thanks for the tip!
this is the first recipe on this sight that i haven’t loved! Had to doctor it up a lot because it was meh. Followed as written, tasted, then added garlic, white pepper, chilis etc to make it decent.