Gluten Free Living – 2014

Frito Pie is spectacular! I mean really! It has two layers of Fritos corn chips, two layers of chili, and two layers of cheese. It has nice heat due to the tomatoes with diced chilies and the Wolf-brand chili used to make it. You can also increase the heat by using a jalapeno, chipotle or habanero cheese blend and using a can of hot tomatoes with diced chilies instead of mild. Whether you like it with a “normal” spicy flavor, or a hotter heat (and I made one of each), both of these turn out wonderfully.

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Strangely enough, I’ve never made a version of Frito Pie before. We’ve lived in Texas almost 20 years and it’s a staple here. In fact, I had never heard of “Frito Pie” before moving here. It is extremely popular and every potluck you attend seems to have this delicious entree on the menu. It’s also very well received during Cinco de Mayo.

I had clipped this recipe from a magazine over a year ago and set it aside because it looked good, but I still hadn’t made it. When a friend texted me that her son was helping to raise money for a youth mission trip by selling fireworks at a stand near Corsicana and was subsisting on fast food, I volunteered to make up some goodies for him and the guys he was with.

I pulled out a bunch of the baked goods I had made (but forgot to bring) on our Navaho Mission Trip to Arizona a couple of weeks ago, and also decided to make up a Frito Pie because they wanted hot food, not sandwiches…and they love Tex-Mex. I ended up making two of these pies. I sent the hot and spicy one to the guys and kept the “milder” version for us. I thought Frito Pie was fantastic.

If you’re looking for a quick and easy main dish, then Frito Pie certainly fits the bill. If you enjoy Tex-Mex, then this appetizing casserole is a great option. And, if you’re looking for a wonderful dish to take to potlucks or to share with company, you will find that almost everyone will enjoy Frito Pie! It has a nice crunch from the corn chips along with all the other textures and flavors that make this casserole irresistible.

On top of that, if your chili is gluten free, and Wolf-Brand Chili with Beans is, then this recipe is gluten free as well. While this cannot be considered a “healthy” recipe, it sure is enjoyable to eat!

Frito Pie is spectacular. Two layers of Fritos, two layers of chili and two layers of cheese, oh my!

Frito Pie is really quick and easy to make up.

If you enjoy spicy Tex-Mex dishes you can use hot Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies and hot habanero, chipotle or jalapeno cheese blends to increase the heat.

Here’s what I did.

I used these ingredients.

Brown ground beef. Drain. Add onions.

Add diced tomatoes with green chilies and Wolf-brand chili with beans.

Stir to combine and heat through.

Spread Fritos in the bottom of a greased 9×13″ glass baking dish.

Cover with half of the beef mixture.

Sprinkle with 1 cup cheddar cheese. Or use jalapeno or chipotle cheddar cheese if you want more heat.

Repeat layer of Fritos.

Add remaining beef mixture.

Add 2 cups of sharp cheddar cheese. 

Cover with foil and bake at 350 for about 20-30 minutes or until mixture is hot and bubbly.

This is what the interior of the casserole looks like.

Serve Frito Pie as is, or garnish with more cheese, diced green onions and sour cream, if desired.

If you use a gluten free chili, this recipe is gluten free.

Here’s the recipe.

FRITO PIE

(Recipe adapted from Angela Williams as found in Waxahachie NOW, April 2013)

Frito Pie

Teresa Ambra

This amazing Tex-Mex main dish has two layers of Fritos corn chips, two layers of beef and chili and two layers of cheese. It is so mouthwatering and spectacular you won't want to stop eating it! This easy 6-ingredient recipe is terrific for company dinners or Cinco De Mayo. Gluten free.

4 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Beef Main Dish

Cuisine Tex-Mex

Servings 8

Calories 519 kcal

Equipment

• 1 large skillet
• 1 9x13" glass baking dish
• measuring cups
• 1 sharp knife to cut vegetables
• 1 wooden spoon
• 1 hamburger chopper to cut meat down in small pieces while frying
• aluminum foil

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 1/2 lbs. lean ground beef
• 1/2 medium sweet onion diced
• 16 oz. can tomatoes with diced chilies
• 20 oz. can Wolf brand chili with beans
• 7 oz. bag Fritos corn chips
• 3 cups cheddar or chipotle cheddar cheese shredded

Instructions

 

• Brown ground beef in a skillet.
• While meat is browning, use a hamburger chopper to chop the meat down into tiny pieces.
• Drain any grease.
• Add onions, tomatoes with chilies, and chili and heat through.
• Place half of the Fritos in bottom of a greased 9x13” baking dish.
• Spoon half the meat mixture over top.
• Sprinkle with 1 cup cheese.
• Repeat with remaining corn chips, remaining meat mixture and 2 cups cheese.
• Cover with foil and bake at 350° for about 20-30 minutes or until heated through.

Notes

NOTE: For hotter flavor use hot Rotel tomatoes with diced chilies (instead of mild), and chipotle, habanero or jalapeno cheese blend.

 

Recipe adapted from Waxahachie NOW, April 2013.

 

^© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 519kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 34gFat: 31gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 107mgSodium: 838mgPotassium: 753mgFiber: 5gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 730IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 397mgIron: 5mg

Keyword chili with beans, frito pie, fritos, ground beef, main dish, Tex Mex

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

This close up allows you to see the texture of this tasty Tex-Mex casserole.

Frito Pie is so tasty. It’s a great main dish for potlucks and company.

You will drool over every bite of Frito Pie!

You may also enjoy these delicious recipes!

Taco Bake

Burrito Bake

Tijuana Torte

Frito Pie

Teresa Ambra

This amazing Tex-Mex main dish has two layers of Fritos corn chips, two layers of beef and chili and two layers of cheese. It is so mouthwatering and spectacular you won’t want to stop eating it! This easy 6-ingredient recipe is terrific for company dinners or Cinco De Mayo. Gluten free.

4 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Beef Main Dish

Cuisine Tex-Mex

Servings 8

Calories 519 kcal

Equipment

• 1 large skillet
• 1 9×13" glass baking dish
• measuring cups
• 1 sharp knife to cut vegetables
• 1 wooden spoon
• 1 hamburger chopper to cut meat down in small pieces while frying
• aluminum foil

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 1/2 lbs. lean ground beef
• 1/2 medium sweet onion diced
• 16 oz. can tomatoes with diced chilies
• 20 oz. can Wolf brand chili with beans
• 7 oz. bag Fritos corn chips
• 3 cups cheddar or chipotle cheddar cheese shredded

Instructions

 

• Brown ground beef in a skillet.
• While meat is browning, use a hamburger chopper to chop the meat down into tiny pieces.
• Drain any grease.
• Add onions, tomatoes with chilies, and chili and heat through.
• Place half of the Fritos in bottom of a greased 9×13” baking dish.
• Spoon half the meat mixture over top.
• Sprinkle with 1 cup cheese.
• Repeat with remaining corn chips, remaining meat mixture and 2 cups cheese.
• Cover with foil and bake at 350° for about 20-30 minutes or until heated through.

Notes

NOTE: For hotter flavor use hot Rotel tomatoes with diced chilies (instead of mild), and chipotle, habanero or jalapeno cheese blend.

 

Recipe adapted from Waxahachie NOW, April 2013.

 

^© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 519kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 34gFat: 31gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 107mgSodium: 838mgPotassium: 753mgFiber: 5gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 730IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 397mgIron: 5mg

Keyword chili with beans, frito pie, fritos, ground beef, main dish, Tex Mex

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!