Frito Pie
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
35 mins
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Total Time
45 mins
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Servings
6
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Calories
645 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Mexican
Frito Pie
Description
This Frito Pie recipe builds a flavorful chili base by sautéing onions, diced green peppers or jalapeños, and garlic with ground beef. Chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, sugar, and salt season the meat. Tomato sauce and drained diced tomatoes add body. Masa harina mixed with chicken broth is used to thicken the chili, contributing a subtle corn flavor that complements the other ingredients.
The addition of kidney beans and softened cream cheese creates a creamy, hearty texture balancing the spices. After simmering, the chili mixture is transferred to a baking pan, layered with shredded cheddar cheese and topped with Fritos before baking. This produces a melted cheese top with crunchy corn chip textures underneath.
Frito Pie is often served garnished with green onions or accompanied by sour cream, enhancing the richness. Leftover chili can be adapted into other dishes such as baked chili cheese dogs. The recipe also offers a Crock Pot option for slow cooking and instructions for thickening if needed.
Masa harina is used to thicken and add corn flavor; substitute tomato paste if unavailable.Crock Pot cooking option allows slow cooking and melting cheese before serving.Reserve diced tomato juice to adjust chili consistency if desired.Baked chili cheese dogs are a good use for leftovers.
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup yellow onion diced
- ½ green bell pepper or 2 seeded jalapeno peppers, diced
- 3 cloves garlic diced
- 1 lb. ground beef 85% lean
- 8 oz. tomato sauce
- 1 diced tomatoes 14.5 oz. can, drained
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/8 cup masa harina (corn flour), see notes
- 1 Kidney Beans 16 oz. can, drained and rinsed
- 1 Tablespoon cream cheese softened
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
- 2 cups fritos
Seasonings
- 1 Tablespoon sugar
- ¾ Tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin each
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika each
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F.
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the diced onions and cook for 5 minutes, until softened. Add the diced peppers and garlic and cook for 2 minutes, until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef and cook and crumble until browned and cooked through. Drain any grease if needed.
- Add the seasonings and stir to combine.
- Add the tomato sauce and drained diced tomatoes.
- Combine the Masa Harina and the chicken broth until well-combined. Add to the chili, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Stir in beans and heat uncovered for 10-15 minutes, until the liquid has thickened and reduced.
- Swirl in the softened cream cheese. This adds a hint of creaminess that offsets the seasonings nicely.
- Transfer to a pie pan or a 9x13 baking dish. Top with cheddar cheese and Fritos.
- Bake, uncovered, for 13 minutes. Let it sit 5 minutes prior to serving.
- Serving Suggestion: Garnish with green onions if desired and serve with sour cream. This also goes great with Cornbread or Corn Casserole.
Notes
- Masa harina, a corn flour found in many groceries, thickens the chili and adds a hint of corn flavor; white or yellow variants work.
- If masa harina is not available, 1-2 tablespoons tomato paste can be used as a thickener instead.
- For slow cooking, prepare the beef and vegetables on the stovetop, then transfer to a Crock Pot with other ingredients and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours.
- Reserve the diced tomato juice to thin the chili if needed.
- Baked chili cheese dogs are a flavorful way to use leftover chili.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 645 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 645kcal | 32% |
| Carbohydrates | 43g | 14% |
| Protein | 30g | 60% |
| Fat | 40g | 62% |
| Saturated Fat | 16g | 80% |
| Cholesterol | 96mg | 32% |
| Sodium | 1298mg | 54% |
| Potassium | 864mg | 18% |
| Fiber | 8g | 32% |
| Sugar | 9g | 18% |
| Vitamin A | 1151IU | 23% |
| Vitamin C | 23mg | 26% |
| Calcium | 405mg | 41% |
| Iron | 5mg | 28% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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