Name: Easy Frito Pie
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 small onion, finely chopped.; 1 pound of ground beef, lean preferred.; A packet of taco seasoning mix.; 2/3 cup of plain water.; A 10-ounce can of enchilada sauce.; 1 can of pinto beans (15 ounces), rinsed and drained.; 9.25 ounces of Fritos corn chips.; 2 cups of shredded Mexican-style cheese.; 1 green onion, sliced thin.; Sour cream to put on top.; Guacamole for garnishing.

A plateful of crispy nachos topped with spiced beef, melty cheddar, chopped tomatoes, fresh peppers, tangy sour cream, and sprigs of cilantro, next to guacamole. | chefemmakitchen.com

My family's been saved by this Frito Pie dinner trick countless times! It's all about comfort - crunchy Fritos layered with tasty ground beef and gooey cheese baked till it bubbles. My little ones nicknamed it "walking tacos casserole" and their plates are always empty afterward. The best part? You can throw it together super fast with stuff you've probably got sitting in your kitchen right now.

What Makes This Dish Foolproof

Anything with a Tex-Mex flavor vanishes within minutes at my place. I've whipped up this Frito Pie since my firstborn was just a toddler, and it always brings happy faces to our dinner table. The real wonder happens when those crunchy Fritos meet the zesty beef mix swimming in enchilada sauce, all under a cozy blanket of melted cheese. Want to know my trick? I toss in pinto beans to make it more filling and stretch the meal further. It comes together so darn quick, it's just what you need when everyone's hungry and dinner must happen now. Add a dollop of cool sour cream and some smooth guacamole on top, and watch your family rush to grab seats!

What You'll Need

Here's everything needed for this crowd-pleaser:

Ground Beef: Any type works great, though I tend to grab the lean kind
Onion: Yellow ones are my favorite, but whatever's in your fridge will do just fine
Taco Seasoning Mix: The packet stuff works great, but I'll mention my homemade mix later
Water: Just enough to bring the flavors together
Enchilada Sauce: Canned is totally fine for busy nights, though my from-scratch version rocks
Pinto Beans: They bulk up the meal nicely, or try ranch style beans for a twist
Fritos: The classic ones are my pick, but any corn chips can stand in
Shredded Cheese: I usually go for Mexican blend, but plain cheddar tastes awesome too
Green Onion: They add that nice fresh bite and pretty color
Sour Cream and Guacamole: These toppings take everything up a notch!

Simple Steps to Follow

You'll know this recipe by heart after your first try. Let's start with the meat mix - it's what makes this dish so good. Get your oven warming to 350°F and find your trusty 9x13 baking dish. Don't forget to spray it with some cooking oil - nobody wants to deal with stuck-on cheese!

Cook your ground beef and those chopped onions together in one pan to save on cleanup. After the meat's no longer pink, drain off the fat so your dish won't end up greasy. Now for the fun part - spices! Stir in the taco seasoning with some water and let it bubble away until it thickens up and smells amazing. Last step, mix in your enchilada sauce and beans until everything's hot and happy together.

A bowl of nachos topped with seasoned ground beef, diced tomatoes, guacamole, sour cream, and fresh cilantro. | chefemmakitchen.com

Creating Your Tasty Layers

Now comes the best part! Scatter about 4 cups of Fritos across your baking dish bottom. Feel free to add more if you're crazy about that corn chip crunch. Sprinkle some cheese on top, then spread your amazing meat mixture over everything. Finish with the rest of your cheese and stick it in the oven. In just twenty minutes, you'll have something wonderful!

Ready to Serve

When you pull your hot, bubbly Frito pie from the oven, toss those extra Fritos on top. That mix of soft, melty layers with fresh crunchiness is just unbeatable. This is what real comfort food is all about.

Put Your Own Spin On It

I've played around with this recipe so many times over the years. Here are some twists my family gives two thumbs up:

Try different spices - my guy prefers chili powder over taco seasoning
Leave out the onions if they're not your thing
Swap in black beans instead of pinto
Add hidden veggies like chopped spinach or bell peppers
Go meatless with crumbled tofu or plant-based ground

Tasty Side Suggestions

While this Frito pie can definitely stand alone, I love adding some fresh sides to round things out. My crunchy broccoli salad works great, or try my tangy cilantro lime slaw for something different. During corn season, nothing beats my sweet honey butter skillet corn alongside this dish - they just go together perfectly!

A fork lifts a portion of cheesy, meaty nachos from a dish, revealing melted cheese stretching from the serving. | chefemmakitchen.com

Dress It Up Your Way

At my house, half the fun is the topping station! Here's what always shows up on our table:

Homemade salsa (both red and green work great)
My quick avocado sauce
Freshly made pico de gallo
Shredded lettuce
Chunks of avocado
Black olives for those who can't get enough
Hot sauce for anyone feeling adventurous
Bits of bacon because everything's better with it
Banana peppers for extra kick

Saving For Later

If you somehow end up with leftovers (which hardly ever happens at my place!), they'll stay good in a sealed container for three days. To warm them up, I stick them in the oven at 350°F until everything's hot and bubbly again. Here's a tip worth remembering: keep some extra Fritos handy to sprinkle on top when reheating. Those fresh, crunchy chips make day-old Frito pie taste brand new!

Make-Ahead Tricks

Want a smart time-saver? Here's what I've figured out after many crazy weeknights: cook double the beef mixture and stick half in the freezer! While I wouldn't freeze the whole casserole (those Fritos turn mushy), the seasoned meat freezes perfectly for up to 3 months. Just let it thaw in your fridge overnight, and you're halfway done with dinner already. This trick has saved my sanity on so many busy evenings!

Answers To Your Questions

After sharing this dish with so many friends, these are the things people ask most:

Can I swap ground turkey for beef? You bet! I do this often - just add a bit more seasoning.
Is more cheese okay? Always! Sometimes I even stir extra cheese right into the meat mix.
What can I put on top? Go wild! My daughter loves fresh cilantro, my son adds extra hot peppers, and my husband can't get enough guacamole.

A fork lifts a portion of cheesy nachos topped with ground beef and melted cheese from a dish. | chefemmakitchen.com

Fantastic Meal Ideas

This Frito pie can totally stand alone, but it really shines as the centerpiece of taco night. Lay out all your favorite toppings, add a simple green salad, and maybe mix up some mocktail margaritas for the kids. It's become our favorite Friday tradition!

Pro Cooking Advice

After making this hundreds of times, here's what I've learned: take your time breaking up the meat while it cooks. Those even bits make every bite just right. And don't be scared to try different Frito types - those Scoops work surprisingly well!

Make It Uniquely Yours

What's great about this dish is how easy it is to change up. My sister loads hers with jalapeños for extra heat, while my best friend can't have it without tons of black olives. Don't be afraid to experiment! Try different cheeses, add whatever veggies you love, or spice things up. There's really no way to mess it up.

Fun For Little Helpers

My kiddos have always jumped at the chance to help make this. The little ones can sprinkle cheese or arrange Fritos, while bigger kids can help cook the meat. It's such a great way to get everyone involved in making dinner!

A fork lifts a cheesy dish showcasing a layer of melted cheese, ground meat, and corn chips. | chefemmakitchen.com

Crowd-Pleasing Choice

Got lots of mouths to feed? This dish will be your savior. It's just right for game days, potlucks, or any big gathering. I often double the recipe and set up a big topping bar. Everyone loves creating their own perfect plate!

Next-Day Meal Solutions

Some days I purposely make extra just for lunches. Pack some in a container with fresh Fritos on the side, and you'll have coworkers eyeing your lunch with envy. You can thank me later!

Lighter Alternatives

Want something a bit more waistline-friendly? I've got options! Go for lean turkey instead of beef, pack in more veggies, pick light cheese, or add extra beans. It still tastes awesome, just with a few less calories.

Share The Joy

This Frito pie has been showing up on our dinner table for years, and I bet it'll soon be a favorite at your house too. It's got that perfect mix of easy and delicious that makes everyone happy. Just remember, the real joy of cooking comes from the memories you make around the table, and this dish definitely delivers there!

A plate of nachos topped with seasoned ground beef, shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, corn, a dollop of sour cream, and fresh cilantro. | chefemmakitchen.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How can I prepare it earlier?: The beef and bean mix can be made beforehand and refrigerated. Add chips and cheese only when you’re ready to bake to keep the crunch.
→ What can I use instead of pinto beans?: Switch to kidney beans or black beans if you like. Or skip beans entirely to suit your taste!
→ Any tips to keep chips crispy?: Toss on the final Frito layer only post-baking. For reheating, keep extra chips on the side to use freshly.
→ What other cheese would work?: Go with cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a cheesy Mexican blend. Anything that melts well is a winner.
→ What sides would match this dish?: Pair it with rice, salad, or corn. Add toppings like diced tomatoes, jalapeños, or shredded lettuce for extra crunch and color.

Easy Frito Pie