Marry This Pioneer Woman Frito Pie Recipe is a cheesy and quick recipe, which is made with Frito corn chips and enchilada sauce. It’s the ultimate comfort food recipe, ready in about 35 minutes.
Jump to RecipePioneer Woman Frito Pie Recipe Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cans (15 oz each) Ranch Style beans
- 1 package (9.25 oz) Frito corn chips
- 2 cans (10 oz each) enchilada sauce
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Thinly sliced green onions (optional, for garnish)
How To Make Pioneer Woman Frito Pie
- Preheat Oven and Cook Beef: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion for 6–8 minutes, until the beef is browned and the onion is soft. Drain off any excess fat.
- Add Beans: Stir the Ranch Style beans (undrained) into the beef mixture and heat through for a couple of minutes.
- Layer the Casserole: Lightly grease a 13×9-inch baking dish. Set aside about 1 cup of the Fritos for the topping. Spread the remaining corn chips in an even layer on the bottom of the dish.
- Assemble and Bake: Spoon the beef and bean mixture over the Fritos. Pour the enchilada sauce evenly over the top, then sprinkle with the shredded cheddar cheese. Finish by scattering the reserved 1 cup of Fritos over the cheese.
- Serve: Bake, uncovered, for 15–20 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and the casserole is hot and bubbly. Garnish with sliced green onions, if desired, and serve immediately.
Recipe Tips
- How to keep the bottom Fritos from getting soggy? For a crispier bottom layer, you can try layering half the cheese on the bottom Fritos before adding the beef mixture. This creates a bit of a barrier. However, the nature of this casserole is for the bottom chips to soften into the dish.
- Can I add other toppings? Absolutely! This casserole is fantastic when treated like a big plate of nachos. After it comes out of the oven, top it with sour cream, diced avocado or guacamole, fresh tomatoes, jalapeños, or a dollop of salsa.
- Can I use a different kind of chili or beans? Yes. If you can’t find Ranch Style beans, you can substitute them with two cans of chili (with or without beans) or pinto beans mixed with a little chili powder and cumin.
- How do I get the best melt on the cheese? For the creamiest, most even melt, buy a block of cheddar cheese and shred it yourself. Pre-shredded cheeses are often coated in starches that can prevent them from melting as smoothly.
What To Serve With Frito Pie
This is a hearty, all-in-one casserole that doesn’t need much else, but it’s great with:
- A dollop of sour cream or guacamole
- A simple, crisp iceberg lettuce salad with ranch dressing
- A side of cornbread
How To Store Frito Pie
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Note that the Fritos will continue to soften.
- Reheat: The best way to reheat is in the oven or an air fryer to help bring some of the crunch back to the top layer of chips. Reheat at 350°F for 10-15 minutes. Individual portions can be microwaved.
Frito Pie Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 381 kcal
- Protein: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Sodium: ~1200mg
Nutrition information is an estimate and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Can I make Frito pie ahead of time?
It’s best assembled and baked right before serving to keep the Fritos as crisp as possible. However, you can cook the beef and bean mixture up to a day in advance and store it in the fridge. Then, just assemble the layers and bake when you’re ready to eat.
Can I use a different kind of cheese?
Yes, feel free to use a Monterey Jack, Colby, or a Mexican cheese blend instead of cheddar. Pepper jack cheese is a great option if you want to add a little spicy kick.
Is this the same as a walking taco?
It’s very similar! A walking taco is typically made by opening a single-serving bag of Fritos and spooning the chili and toppings directly into the bag. This recipe turns that concept into a shareable, layered casserole.
Try More Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Ranch Pizza Pie Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Frito Chili Pie Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Cherry Pie Cookie Bars Recipe
Pioneer Woman Frito Pie Recipe
Course: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy8
servings15
minutes20
minutes381
kcalA quick and cheesy Tex-Mex casserole layered with seasoned beef, beans, enchilada sauce, crispy Frito corn chips, and melted cheddar.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
2 (15 oz) cans Ranch Style beans
1 (9.25 oz) package Frito corn chips
2 (10 oz) cans enchilada sauce
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Sliced green onions, for garnish
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Brown the ground beef and onion in a skillet; drain the fat.
- Stir the Ranch Style beans into the beef mixture and heat through.
- In a 13×9-inch dish, layer most of the Fritos, followed by the beef-bean mixture.
- Pour the enchilada sauce over the beef layer.
- Sprinkle with the shredded cheddar cheese.
- Top with the remaining 1 cup of Fritos.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Garnish with green onions.
Notes
- For a crispier texture, lightly crush the chips before layering.
- Serve with classic taco toppings like sour cream, avocado, or diced tomatoes.
- For a spicier version, use pepper jack cheese or add a can of diced green chiles to the beef mixture.
- Reheat leftovers in the oven to help re-crisp the top layer of chips.
