Best 5 The Real Frito Pie Recipes

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**Frito Pie: A Culinary Symphony of Bold Flavors and Comforting Textures**

Hailing from the heart of the American Southwest, Frito Pie reigns supreme as a culinary icon, captivating taste buds with its harmonious blend of bold flavors and comforting textures. This iconic dish, also known as Frito Chili Pie, weds crispy Fritos corn chips with a savory, slow-simmered chili, a creamy dollop of sour cream, the gooey goodness of melted cheese, and a medley of crunchy toppings, creating a flavor symphony that delights and satisfies. Our curated collection of Frito Pie recipes takes this classic to new heights, offering a range of variations that cater to diverse preferences and dietary needs. From the traditional beef-based chili to vegetarian and vegan alternatives, our recipes ensure that everyone can relish this beloved dish. Whether you seek a quick and easy weeknight meal or a showstopping dish for your next gathering, our Frito Pie recipes have you covered. Prepare to embark on a culinary adventure where crispy, savory, creamy, and crunchy elements unite to form a symphony of flavors that will leave you craving more.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

DEEP-DISH FRITO PIE



Deep-Dish Frito Pie image

Three words: fancy Frito® pie. We love eating the classic out of the bag (who doesn't?) but this deep-dish version is packed with Frito® flavor -- in the crust, chili and topping.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h30m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

6 ounces Fritos® (4 1/2 cups), plus more for serving
1 cup all-purpose flour (see Cook's Note)
1 large egg, lightly beaten
8 ounces sharp Cheddar, shredded
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground beef (80/20)
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 red bell pepper, stemmed and seeded, chopped
1/2 medium onion, chopped
1/4 cup chili powder
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon cornstarch
For Serving: Sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo, shredded iceberg lettuce, pickled jalapeno slices, chopped onion and fresh cilantro leaves

Steps:

  • Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F.
  • Pulse 4 ounces (3 cups) of Fritos® in a food processor until finely ground. Remove and reserve half of the Frito® crumbs. Add the flour, egg, 2 ounces (1/2 cup) Cheddar, 2 to 3 tablespoons of water and 1 teaspoon salt to the crumbs in the food processor. Pulse until a uniform dough forms, add an additional tablespoon of water if needed.
  • Transfer the dough to a 9-inch pie pan and use the bottom of a measuring cup to press evenly across the bottom and up the side of the pan. Prick holes in the bottom of the dough with a fork. Bake until lightly browned, 15 to 20 minutes. Set aside while making the chili.
  • Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned but not completely cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl with a slotted spoon, leaving behind as much fat in the skillet as possible. Reduce the heat to medium, add the garlic, bell pepper and onion and cook, stirring, until tender but not browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the chili powder, tomato paste and cumin and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the chicken broth and reserved beef along with any accumulated juices to skillet. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring and scraping up any brown bits from the skillet, until the liquid is almost evaporated, 6 to 8 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add the cornstarch, reserved Frito crumbs and 2 ounces (1/2 cup) Cheddar and stir until combined.
  • Transfer the chili to the pie crust, top with the remaining 4 ounces (1 cup) Cheddar, cover with foil and bake until the cheese is melted and the filling is bubbly, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake, uncovered, for 5 minutes more. Let cool 15 minutes then top with a layer of sour cream, guacamole and pico de gallo. Mound iceberg lettuce on top and sprinkle with pickled jalapeno slices, chopped onion, remaining Fritos and fresh cilantro leaves.

FRITO PIE RECIPE



Frito Pie Recipe image

To keep the chips from getting soggy, ladle the chili over the chips just before serving.

Provided by Southern Living Editors

Time 15m

Yield Serves 8

Number Of Ingredients 5

8 cups corn chips
8 cups West Texas Chili
2 cups (8 oz.) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
½ cup diced white onion
Toppings: sour cream, sliced fresh jalapeño peppers

Steps:

  • Place 1 cup corn chips into each of 8 bowls. Ladle 1 cup West Texas Chili on top of corn chips in each bowl. Sprinkle each with ¼ cup Cheddar cheese and 1 tablespoon diced onion. Top with desired toppings.

FRITO PIE



Frito Pie image

Frito pie is legendary in the Southwest for being spicy, salty and cheesy fabulous. Here's my easy take on this crunchy classic. -Jan Moon, Alamogordo, New Mexico

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 30m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cans (15 ounces each) Ranch Style beans (pinto beans in seasoned tomato sauce)
1 package (9-1/4 ounces) Frito corn chips
2 cans (10 ounces each) enchilada sauce
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Thinly sliced green onions, optional

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat 6-8 minutes or until beef is no longer pink and onion is tender, breaking up beef into crumbles; drain. Stir in beans; heat through., Reserve 1 cup corn chips for topping. Place remaining corn chips in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Layer with meat mixture, enchilada sauce and cheese; top with reserved chips., Bake, uncovered, 15-20 minutes or until cheese is melted. If desired, sprinkle with green onions.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 731 calories, Fat 41g fat (14g saturated fat), Cholesterol 84mg cholesterol, Sodium 1733mg sodium, Carbohydrate 54g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 8g fiber), Protein 34g protein.

THE REAL FRITO PIE



The REAL Frito Pie image

First, let me say that chili for Frito Pie doesn't come from a can. It comes from honest-to-goodness stove top cooked chili using the finest of ingredients. Fresh pinto beans from my family's bean farm in Southern Colorado and from the best chile in the world from Hatch, New Mexico. We like it hot and spicy, but it can be toned...

Provided by Sherry Blizzard

Categories     Casseroles

Time 50m

Number Of Ingredients 3

10 c leftover chili
1 bag(s) fritos corn chips, rough crush
5 c mexican cheese (a blend of cheddar and monterey jack)

Steps:

  • 1. Grease your baking dish...I know it sounds silly, but it makes a nice crust on your pie.
  • 2. Bottom is a light layer of crushed corn chips.
  • 3. Spoon on a layer of left over chili.
  • 4. Top with more chips (thicker this time).
  • 5. Top the chips with the rest of the chili.
  • 6. Cover that with the rest of the crushed chips and then another 2 cups of cheese.
  • 7. Bake at 375 for 40 minutes or until cheese is melted and the whole concoction is bubbling.
  • 8. **Making Chili: Sometimes I use beef or moose chunks, most of the time it is ground meat. I ALWAYS include beans, tomatoes, cumin, garlic, onions, red chile puree (Hatch), red chili flakes, and I thicken it with tapioca just like my mom taught me to do. Don't salt the beans before you add to the chili.

FRITO PIE



Frito Pie image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 2h

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 20

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cups chopped onions
Salt
Cayenne
2 pounds beef bottom round, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
Crushed red pepper
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 tablespoons chopped garlic
3 cups crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup tomato paste
2 cups beef stock
2 cups canned dark red kidney beans
1 1/2 tablespoons masa
1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 bag Frito Chips
1 1/2 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese
6 tablespoons sour cream
1 small jar of jalapenos

Steps:

  • In a large saucepan, heat the vegetable oil. When the oil is hot, add the onions and saute for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the vegetables start to wilt. Season with salt and cayenne. Stir in the beef , chili powder, cumin, crushed red pepper, and oregano. Brown the meat for 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in the garlic, tomatoes, tomato paste, beef stock, and beans. Bring the liquid up to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Simmer the liquid, uncovered for 1 hour, stirring occasionally, or until the beef is tender. Skim off the fat occasionally. Mix the masa and flour together with a little liquid from the stockpot. Slowly stir in the masa slurry and continue to cook for 30 minutes. Reseason with salt and cayenne. Place a handful of the chips in each shallow bowl. Spoon the chili over the chips. Garnish with the grated cheese, sour cream and jalapenos.

Tips:

  • Use a cast iron skillet for cooking the beef. It will give the meat a nice, even sear.
  • Brown the beef in batches so that it doesn't steam. This will help to create a crispy crust on the meat.
  • Don't be afraid to add some spice to the chili. A little bit of cayenne pepper or chili powder will give it a nice kick.
  • Use a good quality cheese for the topping. A sharp cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese will melt well and give the pie a delicious flavor.
  • Serve the frito pie immediately after it is made. The Fritos will get soggy if they sit for too long.

Conclusion:

Frito pie is a delicious and easy-to-make meal that is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a potluck. It is a great way to use up leftover chili, and it is always a hit with kids and adults alike. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give frito pie a try. You won't be disappointed.

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