Frito Pie
Try this better than Sonic Frito Pie. It has a chili con carne that’s full of flavor topped on a bed of Frito corn chips and sharp cheddar cheese. Easy ground beef dinner for a weeknight or on the go.
The History
New Mexicans claim it was invented in the 1960s at a Woolworth’s in Santa Fe by a woman named Teresa Hernandez. San Antonio resident Daisy Doolin, the mother of Charles Elmer Doolin, the guy who invented Fritos is said to also invented the dish.
This recipe is gluten free. To make dairy free just remove the cheese or use a dairy free cheese in place of the regular cheddar cheese. Corn chips are gluten free via Frito Lay.
Frito pie is one of the easiest dinner meals on the planet. Yes, canned chili can be used. However, making a good chili con carne is what will elevate the frito pie to the next level.
Adding Heat
Firstly, start with garlic, ground beef, and onions in a sauté pan. Brown the ground beef. Once browned now it’s time to spice it up. Secondly, add in cayenne pepper and chili powder. These have heat so the more that is use the more heat you will create.
Add in paprika and cumin as these add flavor. Mix well into the ground beef mixture. Thirdly, pour in the beef broth and tomato sauce. This can simmer on low for 10 minutes. Cooking longer on a simmer will only add depth to the chili.
Top the chili con carne over the Frito corn chips with cheese. Cheese can be added under the hot chili so it melts easier. This is a great on the go meal as walking frito pie. Put it in a jar or top the chili over Frito chips in a mini bag.
Make Ahead
The chili can be made up to a day in advance. Or make the chili and freeze it for up to three weeks. This good to prep into jars and microwave without the lid.
Toppings
Frito pie toppings include sour cream or jalapenos. Some people enjoy red onions or pepperoncini’s on top. However the pie is topped it’s a great southern comfort food. Enjoy this simple Frito pie recipe.
Comfort Food Recipes:
Frito Pie
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. beef chuck
- 1 yellow onion; diced
- 1 tablespoon garlic
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cumin
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 cup beef broth
- 15 oz. can tomato sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 bag Frito’s Original Chips
- 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- In a medium sauce pan, add in ground beef, garlic, and onion. Bring to a medium heat and cook until ground beef is browned.
- Add in the cumin, cayenne pepper, chili powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir well.
- Add in tomato sauce and beef broth. Stir well and simmer on low for 10 minutes.
- Top Frito's with cheese and then the chili. Serve!
Pin Frito Pie:
I used to eat the at the Dairy Queen. They slit open the package of frites and poured the chili over them. Then a little cheese and a plastic fork. Great lunch. Thanks for the memory! Found you through Jen at Juanita’s Cocina.
Thank you for featuring me! I linked up a new one.
Your recipe was featured in today’s Manic Monday Party http://bobbiskozykitchen.blogspot.com/2012/07/manic-monday-party-8.html
I hope you will drop by and link up some more great recipes!
Thank you! Once you have it this way you will never go back to the can I promise!
This reminds me of when my kids were young. I didn’t make homemade chili, heck I barely cooked, but we would cut open the side of a small bag of Fritos, pour in canned chili and add cheese and anything else we wanted. Soooooo good. I like the idea of your chili much better!!! Thanks for sharing this on Manic Monday!!
Good fun! My guy will enjoy this.