Shredded cheese, black beans, ground beef, and enchilada sauce give this Frito pie casserole its signature flavor. This easy to make casserole is sure to please the whole family. It’s great for potlucks and makes delicious leftovers too!

Substitutions + Tips for this Frito Pie Recipe

Get creative with your Frito pie casserole! Try any of these substitutions, variations, add-ins, and toppings for tons of fun:

Substitutions

• Replace ground beef with ground chicken, turkey, or pork if desired.
• Make it vegetarian by replacing the ground beef with meatless crumbles.
• Use your favorite beans (like pinto, kidney, or chili beans) instead of black beans.
• Use queso crumbles or queso cheese sauce instead of shredded cheese.
• Don’t have any Frito chips on hand? Use tortilla chips instead!

Variations

• Make traditional Frito chili pie by replacing the beans, ground beef, and enchilada sauce with 3 cans of your favorite chili.
• Make a Southwest version of Frito pie casserole by adding 1 cup of corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned and drained) and 1 cup of diced tomatoes and ½ cup diced chilies.
• Want it extra spicy? Add 2-3 tablespoons of chopped pickled jalapenos for some added heat and tang.

Fun Toppings

• Green onions, sliced
• Sour cream
• Guacamole
• Salsa
• Jalapenos
• Black olives
• Hot sauce or salsa verde
• Any of your favorite taco toppings!

FAQs for this Frito Pie Casserole

Have a question about this Frito pie recipe? Check out the most commonly asked questions below:

Any tips if I plan to use this for leftovers?

If you know you’ll be eating some of this Frito pie as leftovers, reserve some corn chips to add after you reheat it. That way, you still get that yummy crunch!

Can you double this recipe?

Sure! It’s a great recipe to double or triple when cooking for a crowd. Just remember, if you plan on reheating it, save some of the corn chips back, so they don’t get mushy.

Can I make this Frito pie casserole ahead of time?

Definitely! Assemble everything but the corn chips, cover, and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Set on the counter for 30 minutes before cooking, then add your chips and bake as directed.

How do I store leftovers? Can I freeze this Frito pie recipe?

Cover leftovers and store in the fridge for 3-5 days (you might want to add more chips after reheating for that extra crunch).

To freeze, assemble everything but the chips, cover tightly and freeze for up to one month. Set on the counter for 30 minutes before cooking, then add your chips and bake as directed.

Share Your Creations with Me!

Did you make this Frito pie casserole recipe? I’d love to see your creations on Instagram! Make sure to tag your post with #azbrecipes or #azestybiterecipes, so I’ll be sure to see them. Enjoy!

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Frito Pie Casserole

Yield: 6-8

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

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Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 small onion, white or yellow, chopped finely
• 1 package (or 2 tablespoons) taco seasoning
• ½ cup water
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (19 oz) enchilada sauce
• 1 bag (9.25 oz) Frito corn chips
• 2 cups Mexican style shredded cheese

Toppings

• Green onions, sliced
• Sour cream
• Guacamole
• Salsa
• Jalapenos
• Black Olives
• Any taco toppings you like

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
   
2. Spray 13x9 baking dish with cooking spray
   
3. In a large skillet, brown ground beef until almost done
   
4. Add onions cook until soft, about 3-4 minutes and beef is no longer pink
   
5. Stir in taco seasoning and water, heat to boiling
   
6. Reduce heat and stir in beans and enchilada sauce
   
7. Cook 2-3 minutes or until heated through and mixture is slightly thickened
   
8. Add about 3 ½  cups of corn chips to the bottom of the prepared baking dish
   
9. Sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheese
   
10. Top with beef mixture
    
11. Sprinkle remaining cheese
    
12. Bake uncovered for 18-20 minutes or until cheese is melted and casserole is bubbly around the edges
    
13. Remove from oven and top with remaining corn chips and toppings of your choice
    
14. Serve immediately
    
15. Store leftovers in refrigerator
    
    

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