Can I make this recipe less spicy for my family?

Absolutely! The heat comes primarily from the chipotle powder and chili powder. You can reduce or completely omit these spices, and instead add a bit more cumin and garlic powder for flavor without the heat. Serving extra sour cream on the side also helps cool things down for those who are heat-sensitive.

Can I add vegetables to make this more nutritious?

Definitely! Diced bell peppers, corn kernels, or even finely chopped zucchini can be added when cooking the ground beef. For leafy greens, consider stirring in a couple handfuls of baby spinach right before the simmering phase – they'll wilt down and blend right in.

My family doesn't eat beef. What's the best substitute?

Ground turkey or chicken works wonderfully in this recipe. If using poultry, consider adding 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil when browning to compensate for the lower fat content. For a vegetarian version, substitute a package of crumbled meat alternative or two cans of beans (black beans and pinto make a great combination).

Can I prepare this in advance for a party?

Yes! Prepare the chili portion up to two days ahead and store in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, warm the chili mixture on the stovetop, then layer with fresh Fritos and cheese before baking. This makes party prep much easier while ensuring the Fritos maintain their texture.

Easy Frito Pie Casserole Recipe

Name: Easy Frito Pie Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Ingredients: 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; 15 ounces tomato sauce; ½ cup beef stock; 9 cups lightly crushed Fritos; 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese; Sour cream, for serving; Sliced scallions, for serving

Description

This Easy Frito Pie Casserole is a comforting and cheesy dish that’s perfect for potlucks, game night, or a hearty family dinner. Layers of crunchy Fritos, savory chili, and gooey melted cheese will keep everyone coming back for seconds. It’s simple to make and can even be customized with your favorite toppings or additional ingredients like beans or alternative proteins. Plus, it’s freezer-friendly for easy meal prep!

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Chili

1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder
6 tablespoons tomato paste
15 ounces tomato sauce
1/2 cup beef stock

For Assembly

9 cups lightly crushed Fritos
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Sour cream, for serving
Sliced scallions, for serving

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Instructions

Cook the beef mixture
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown and crumble the ground beef along with the diced onions. Stir occasionally until the beef is fully browned and there is no pink left, and the onions are translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant. Drain any excess fat.
Add seasonings
Sprinkle in the chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, cumin, chipotle powder, and tomato paste. Stir the mixture for about 2 minutes to combine and allow the spices to bloom.
Create the sauce
Pour in the tomato sauce and beef stock. Stir until fully incorporated. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover and let it simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, to thicken the sauce and develop flavors.
Prepare the baking dish
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Place half of the lightly crushed Fritos into the bottom of the dish to form an even layer.
Layer the casserole
Spread half of the prepared chili evenly over the layer of Fritos. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar cheese on top of the chili. Repeat the process: add another layer of crushed Fritos, chili, and shredded cheese.
Bake the casserole
Cover the baking dish with non-stick aluminum foil or spray a piece of foil with cooking spray and place it spray-side down over the dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-30 minutes until heated through and the cheese is melted. Uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes to let the cheese bubble and brown slightly.
Serve
Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Serve hot with a dollop of sour cream and garnish with sliced scallions for extra flavor and freshness.

Notes

Use chili cheese-flavored Fritos for an extra kick.
The recipe can be halved and made in a 9×9-inch baking dish for smaller servings.
This dish can be frozen for later. Assemble and freeze before baking for meal prep.
To reduce heat, omit or reduce the chili powder and chipotle powder.
Beans can be added to the chili mixture to bulk it up.
Switch up the cheese with Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or Colby for variety.
Ground chicken, turkey, or pork make excellent substitutes for ground beef.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 Serving
Calories: 490kcal
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 890mg
Fat: 31g
Saturated Fat: 14g
Unsaturated Fat: 14g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 31g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 22g
Cholesterol: 75mg