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Classic Cheesy Chili Loaded Frito Pie

5 from 7 votes
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The original Frito pie isn’t a ten step process and complicated recipe that you bake in the oven. Frito pie is taking your favorite chili (canned, homemade chili, who are we to judge?) and slapping it on a pile of crunchy Frito’s, loading it with cheddar cheese and onions and calling it dinner. Heck, you usually even use the smaller bags of Frito’s, open them up, pour the chili on top and call it a Frito Boat!

mint green bowl with Frito Pie loaded with chili, shredded cheddar cheese and thinly sliced green onions
Frito Pie

Classic Cheesy Chili Loaded Frito Pie

This is the perfect Tex-Mex weeknight meal that everyone will love! Although Frito pie actually originated in Mexico, it became popular in Southwest US pretty quickly. And it’s not hard to know why! Frito pies are the ultimate comfort food and they’re pretty legendary in the Southwest for their salty, cheesy, yet spicy taste combination.

What I really love about this classic chili loaded Frito Pie is that the ingredients are totally interchangeable so there is always going to be a variation that you’ll love. I’ve added a list of my own favorites on my ingredients list and this is a pretty basic version, but please feel free to swap in and out as you please! You can totally make this dish your own with extra toppings of your preference. Be warned though, if you serve this one up at a party you’d better prepare a LOT in advance because it’s going to be the first side dish to start disappearing from the table!

mint green bowl with Fritos corn chips, a spoon and kitchen towel beside it

Ingredients

  • Fritos corn chips (of course!)
  • Chili (if you have time, try out my fave ground turkey chili recipe!)
  • Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • Green onions, thinly sliced

How To Make Frito Pie

Well, if this isn’t the easiest side dish to pull together I don’t know what is! This is definitely one to let the kids take charge of if you’re busy in the kitchen (it’s not child labor if they enjoy it…right?!!

  1. Divide the chips between 4 bowls
  2. Use 1 cup of chili as a topping for the chips
  3. Add a 1/4 cup sprinkling of shredded cheese on top
  4. Sprinkle the green onions over each bowl. (it is more traditional to sprinkle raw chopped onions but my kids won’t eat them)
  5. Enjoy!

Tips And Tricks For Making Frito Pie

  • For a little more spice try adding some chopped jalapenos and chili flakes!
  • If you want to add some extra toppings, sour cream, diced tomatoes, lettuce, and guacamole are always crowd pleasers! You can even add some fresh parsley to top it off.
  • If dairy-free but love that sour cream taste you can always pick up a coconut-milk based variety (yep, this exists!)

close up mint green bowl with Fritos corn chips, a spoon and kitchen towel beside it

More Ground Beef Recipes for you to try:

Sour Cream Ground Beef Casserole

Tex-Mex Chips and Dip

Tater Tot’s Shepherd’s Pie

Happy (not really cooking!) cooking! The kids had such a great time making their own bowls of Frito Pie that I think I can sneak in a Frito Pie Casserole some time soon that’s a little more “put together” than this one! Enjoy this one as a fun treat!

Love,

Karlynn

 

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Classic Cheesy Chili Loaded Frito Pie

The classic Texas style Frito pie - chili, Fritos, shredded cheddar and chopped onion! It doesn't get easier than that for dinner!
5 from 7 votes
Prep Time
10 minutes
Course
Main Course
Cuisine
Mexican
Servings
4
Calories
631
Author
Karlynn Johnston

Ingredients
 

  • 4 cups Fritos corn chips
  • 4 cups chili use my favorite chili recipe or use canned!
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2-3 tablespoons thinly sliced green onions raw diced onions are more traditional

Instructions
 

  • Divide the chips into 4 bowls.
  • Top the chips with 1 cup of chili on top.
  • Sprinkle 1/4 cup of the shredded cheese on top of each bowl.
  • Sprinkle the green onions on top.
  • Eat and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Nutrition will vary depending on the chili you use

Nutrition Information

Calories: 631kcal, Carbohydrates: 69g, Protein: 15g, Fat: 35g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Cholesterol: 30mg, Sodium: 669mg, Potassium: 629mg, Fiber: 7g, Sugar: 9g, Vitamin A: 1741IU, Vitamin C: 216mg, Calcium: 369mg, Iron: 3mg

All calories and info are based on a third party calculator and are only an estimate. Actual nutritional info will vary with brands used, your measuring methods, portion sizes and more.

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Karlynn Johnston

I’m a busy mom of two, wife & cookbook author who loves creating fast, fresh meals for my little family on the Canadian prairies. Karlynn Facts: I'm allergic to broccoli. I've never met a cocktail that I didn't like. I would rather burn down my house than clean it. Most of all, I love helping YOU get dinner ready because there's nothing more important than connecting with our loved ones around the dinner table!

Learn more about me

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  1. Kerry says

    Love this, but am very confused where it says this originated in Mexico…….. I live in Mexico, and Fritos are not sold here anywhere. How can this be from Mexico?!

    Nevertheless, it’s a taste of TexMex home to me, and I make it with fried tortilla strips.5 stars

  2. Whits@amusebouche says

    Easy and tasty! Will make again for sure5 stars

  3. george cain says

    Did you post The Best damn pork rub recipe? Can’t find my copy anywhere.

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