Chili Pie Fritos Fiesta!

This Chili Pie Fritos Fiesta is comfort food heaven! Savory chili, crunchy Fritos, and melty cheese – an easy dinner that’s ready in about an hour. You've got to try it!

June 2, 2025
By Zelia Thorne.

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Alright, let's get this chili pie fritos party started! ever had one of those days where you crave comfort food but want something a bit more exciting than your average shepherd's pie? well, i've got you covered.

My version of chili pie fritos is the answer to your prayers.

Chili Pie Fritos : Comfort Food, Elevated

This isn't your average upside down frito pie . it's a symphony of flavors and textures. we're talking savory chili, crunchy fritos , and melted cheese all in one glorious bite.

Think of it as a cozy hug on a plate.

A Little Bit of History, a Whole Lotta Flavor

The inspiration behind chili and fritos comes from the beloved frito pie . it's the kind of dish you might find at a roadside diner in texas.

My version is just a little bit more sophisticated. but still simple enough for a weeknight meal. we're taking that frito bowl experience to the next level!

This recipe is super easy. it takes about an hour from start to finish. that's including 20 minutes of prep time and 45 minutes of cooking time.

It yields enough to feed six to eight hungry souls. perfect for those casual dinners with chili .

Why You'll Love This Chili Pie Fritos Recipe

Honestly, the best part is the mix of textures. you have the soft chili, the crispy fritos , and the gooey cheese.

It's a total win. plus, the beans add a good dose of fiber.

This recipe is perfect for a game day gathering or a cozy night in. trust me, you can't go wrong.

It's that special because it's so customizable. adjust the spice level, change up the cheese, or add your favourite toppings.

Ready to dive in? I'm telling you... this Chili Frito recipe is about to become a new family favourite.

Alright, let's talk about what you actually need to make this chili pie fritos dream a reality. i always say, the better your ingredients, the better your dinners with chili will be.

It's like my nana used to say, "garbage in, garbage out!" honestly, she wasn't wrong.

Chili Pie Fritos Fiesta! Recipe Card

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Preparation time:20 Mins

Cooking time:45 Mins

Servings:6-8 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil (15 ml)
• 1 large onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped (about 1 cup)
• 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey) (450g)
• 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained (425g)
• 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained (425g)
• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained (425g)
• 1 cup beef broth (240 ml)
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 6-8 ounces Fritos corn chips, crushed (about 2 large bags, I suppose, 170-225g)
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack) (200g)
• Optional: sliced green onions, sour cream, guacamole, for serving

Instructions:

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more, until fragrant.
• Add ground beef (or turkey) to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
• Stir in diced tomatoes (undrained), kidney beans, black beans, beef broth, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the flavors to meld. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Pour the chili mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish.
• Sprinkle the crushed Fritos evenly over the chili, then top with shredded cheese.
• Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the Fritos are slightly golden brown.
• Let cool slightly before serving. Garnish with sliced green onions, sour cream, or guacamole, if desired.

Gather 'Round: Ingredients & Kit

This section's all about what you'll need to nail this chili pie fritos , or as some folks call it, an upside down frito pie .

We're keeping it real simple, just the essentials.

Main Ingredients: The Heart of the Matter

• Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon (15 ml) . For browning that ground beef, baby.
• Onion: 1 large , chopped. Yellow or white, your shout.
• Garlic: 2 cloves , minced. Go wild, or buy the pre-minced stuff. No judgement.
• Green Bell Pepper: 1 , chopped. Adds a little sweetness.
• Ground Beef (or Turkey): 1 pound (450g) . Aim for lean! Quality ground beef is key for flavor.
• Diced Tomatoes: 1 (15-ounce) can (425g) , undrained. Trust me on the undrained bit.
• Kidney Beans: 1 (15-ounce) can (425g) , rinsed and drained. Gotta love kidney beans.
• Black Beans: 1 (15-ounce) can (425g) , rinsed and drained. Texture, you know?
• Beef Broth: 1 cup (240 ml) . Adds depth of flavor.
• Chili Powder: 2 tablespoons . This is where the magic happens.
• Ground Cumin: 1 teaspoon . Earthy goodness.
• Smoked Paprika: 1/2 teaspoon . Adds a smoky kick.
• Cayenne Pepper: 1/4 teaspoon (optional). For those who like it hot.
• Dried Oregano: 1 teaspoon . Herby perfection.
• Salt and Pepper: To taste. Season generously.
• Fritos Corn Chips: 6-8 ounces (170-225g) , crushed. Don't skimp on these, these are the base of the Frito Bowls and Frito Bowl .
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: 2 cups (200g) . Cheddar or a blend.

Quality is Key (Ground Beef): Look for a good color and minimal packaging liquid. If possible, buy from a butcher you trust, or your local farmers market.

Seasoning Notes: The Flavor Bomb

Alright, let's talk spice! This ain’t your average Chili Frito situation. We're going for depth, not just heat.

• Essential Spice Combo: Chili powder + cumin + smoked paprika = chili magic.
• Flavor Enhancers: A pinch of cocoa powder (seriously!) or a dash of Worcestershire sauce adds richness.
• Quick Subs: Out of cumin? Use a bit of ground coriander. No paprika? Skip it, or use a tiny bit of regular paprika. But honestly, just get the right stuff! It makes a huge difference in your Chili Fritos Recipe .

Equipment Needed: Keep It Simple

Honestly, you don't need fancy gadgets for this Homemade Frito Pie . I am so confident with the equipment you have in hand.

• Large Skillet or Dutch Oven: For browning and simmering.
• 9x13 Inch Baking Dish: For baking the pie.
• Measuring Cups & Spoons: Get accurate!
• Colander: For rinsing those beans.

Household alternatives: no dutch oven? a large, deep skillet works just fine. no baking dish? use a casserole dish. we are trying to make some delicious dinners with chili after all, so improvise.

Don't get caught up on having the perfect gear to enjoy your amazing petro chili recipe .

There you have it! All the bits and bobs you need. Now, let's get cooking!. This Chili And Fritos meal is going to be fantastic!

Alright, let's talk chili pie fritos ! honestly, you know how much i love anything that's a little bit trashy-chic, right? this recipe totally hits that spot.

Think of it as the sophisticated cousin of those gas station frito bowls , but way better. we're talking real food, real flavour, and a whole lotta crunch.

Prep Like a Pro: Your Mise en Place

Before you even think about turning on the hob, get your stuff together. it’s all about that mise en place , darling.

Chop one large onion. mince two cloves of garlic. dice one green bell pepper. get out your one pound of ground beef (or turkey if you’re feeling virtuous, bless ya).

Open those cans of diced tomatoes, kidney beans, and black beans (don’t forget to rinse those beans!). measure out one cup of beef broth.

And of course, dig out your spices, including two tablespoons of chili powder and one teaspoon of ground cumin. honestly, having everything ready saves so much time.

Also, make sure you’re not wearing any dangly jewelry, yeah? safety first!

Chili Pie Fritos in Seven Simple Steps

1. Sauté your aromatics. Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and bell pepper. Cook until softened, about 5- 7 minutes . Then, chuck in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Oh my gosh, that smells good!
2. Brown the meat. Add one pound of ground beef to the skillet. Break it up with a spoon. Cook until it's nicely browned. Don’t forget to drain off any extra grease. We’re going for tasty, not greasy.
3. Simmer the chili. Stir in that can of diced tomatoes (undrained!), the rinsed kidney beans, the black beans, the beef broth, two tablespoons of chili powder, a teaspoon of cumin, half a teaspoon of smoked paprika, a quarter teaspoon of cayenne pepper (if you're brave!), a teaspoon of dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring it to a simmer, then reduce the heat and cook for 20- 30 minutes , stirring now and again. This is where all the magic happens.
4. Assemble! Preheat your oven to 350° F ( 175° C) . Then, pour that chili mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish.
5. Fritos time! Now, sprinkle crushed Fritos evenly over the chili. We're talking about 6-8 ounces here, or about two large bags.
6. Cheese it up! Top with two cups of shredded cheddar cheese. Or, if you’re feeling fancy, do a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack.
7. Bake! Pop the dish into the oven and bake for 15- 20 minutes . You want the cheese melted and bubbly, and the Fritos just slightly golden brown.

Pro Tips for the Best Chili and Fritos

Want to take your homemade frito pie game to the next level? i use a can of rotel in my own version of dinners with chili, but here's some other insider information.

First, don't skip the resting period. letting that chili simmer is crucial for letting all the flavours get all cosy and mingled.

Also, be careful not to overbake, the frito topping can go from crispy to burnt real quick. honestly, underbaked is better than overbaked in this case.

If you are a petro chili recipe lover, experiment with flavors. finally, if you want to upside down frito pie it for later, just make the chili ahead of time.

It actually tastes better the next day! just store it in the fridge and then assemble and bake when you're ready.

The chili frito experience will be much improved with some love! and hey, if you wanna make individual frito bowls , go for it! this chili fritos recipe can be served in the family 9x13 dish or made individually in bowls.

Alright, let's chat about those little extras that make our chili pie fritos sing , shall we? i'm talking about the bits and bobs beyond the actual recipe that elevate it from 'just food' to a proper, comforting hug on a plate.

You know?

Recipe Notes for Your Chili Pie Fritos Fiesta!

Serving It Up Right (Plating & Presentation)

Okay, so you've got this glorious Chili Pie Fritos , right? Don't just plonk it on a plate! We need to make it look inviting.

Think individual portions for extra pizzazz, served in cute little bowls – frito bowls , anyone? a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh green onions will make it pop.

Honestly, a little effort goes a long way. people eat with their eyes first, after all.

And for drinks? A cold beer, maybe a Mexican lager, cuts through the richness beautifully. Or even just some lime soda!

Stashing the Goodness (Storage Tips)

Life happens. Sometimes you've got leftovers. Here’s the lowdown:

• Fridge Time: Keep your Chili Fritos in an airtight container. It's good for 3-4 days.
• Freezing? The chili freezes well. Just let it cool completely before popping it in the freezer. The Fritos, however, will go a bit soggy. Best to add fresh ones after reheating.
• Reheating: Microwave works, but the oven ( 350° F or 175° C) is better for crisping up those Fritos again. Just keep an eye on it!

Twists and Turns (Variations)

Fancy mixing things up? Sorted! This chili and Fritos is pretty flexible.

• Going Veggie?: Swap out the meat for lentils or quinoa. Easy peasy!
• Seasonal Swaps: Bell peppers taste better in summer. You can add roasted sweet potato for a winter Homemade Frito Pie vibe.

Nutritional Nuggets (Nutrition Basics)

Okay, let’s be real, it is Dinners With Chili and cheese and Fritos ain't exactly health food. But!

It’s got protein from the beef and fiber from the beans. everything in moderation, eh? plus, it’s good for the soul! think of it as a treat.

Roughly, you are looking at 450 to 550 calories for each serving.

I feel that the "secret" lies in how balanced our diet is overall, not in demonising a single dish or ingredient.

Bottom Line

So there you have it! my spiel on how to make your chili pie fritos truly shine. it's all about the little things, the presentation, the flexibility, and knowing how to keep the good times (and the food!) rolling.

Get cooking and don’t forget to add your own flair. You might even invent the next Petro Chili Recipe ! Trust me, you've got this!

Honestly, perfecting a Chili Fritos Recipe is all about experimenting and making it your own! Have fun, and don't be afraid to make a mess.