Frito Pie is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for busy weeknights when you need a hearty and satisfying meal on the table fast. This recipe, inspired by the home-style cooking of the Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, takes the classic Frito pie to the next level with simple ingredients and tons of flavor. It’s a family-friendly dish that’s guaranteed to be a hit with everyone around the table.
Growing up, Frito Pie was a staple in our house, especially when we had family gatherings. It’s incredibly easy to throw together, feeds a crowd, and is always a crowd-pleaser. Think of it as a deconstructed taco in a casserole dish, with layers of savory taco meat, hearty beans, sweet corn, and of course, crunchy Fritos and melty cheese. It’s the kind of meal that brings back nostalgic memories and creates new ones at the same time. If you are looking for more easy casserole recipes, my Beef and Noodle Casserole is another fantastic option for feeding a hungry family.
taco meat with melted cheese in a bowl
What Goes into a Pioneer Woman Style Frito Pie?
This recipe uses simple, pantry-friendly ingredients, making it a breeze to prepare any night of the week. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Ground Beef: The base of our hearty filling. You can also use ground turkey or chicken if you prefer.
- Onion: Adds savory depth to the meat mixture.
- Taco Seasoning: For that classic Tex-Mex flavor. For a more personalized touch and to control sodium, try making your own Homemade Taco Seasoning.
- Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies: Adds a touch of heat and acidity.
- Ranch Style Beans: These beans in chili sauce provide a unique, savory flavor that sets Frito Pie apart.
- Corn Kernels: Adds a touch of sweetness and texture.
- Fritos Corn Chips: The iconic crunchy base and topping!
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: For a melty, cheesy finish. Monterey Jack or a blend of cheeses would also work well.
Ranch Style Beans Explained
Ranch Style Beans might be a new ingredient for some, but they are worth seeking out! They are typically pinto beans simmered in a chili-style sauce with a savory, slightly smoky flavor. They are not sweet like baked beans, but have a similar soft texture in a flavorful sauce. Look for them in the canned bean aisle of most grocery stores. If you can’t find them locally, you can often purchase Ranch Style Beans online.
How to Make This Easy Frito Pie Recipe
Making Frito Pie is incredibly straightforward, perfect for even beginner cooks. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Brown the Beef: In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and chopped onion over medium heat. Cook until the beef is no longer pink and the onions are softened. Drain off any excess grease.
- Season the Meat: Stir in the taco seasoning, making sure to coat the beef evenly. There’s no need to add water as you would for tacos; we want a thicker, casserole-style consistency.
- Add Remaining Filling Ingredients: Pour in the diced tomatoes with green chilies, Ranch Style Beans, and corn kernels. Stir to combine all ingredients and heat through.
- Assemble the Pie: Spread about ¾ of the bag of Fritos in the bottom of a 9×13 inch casserole dish.
- Layer the Meat Mixture: Pour the hot meat mixture evenly over the bed of Fritos.
- Cheese it Up! Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheddar cheese over the meat layer. Aim for about 1 ½ cups for a good, even cheesy topping, but feel free to adjust to your preference.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.
Serving Suggestions for Your Frito Pie
Frito Pie is delicious on its own, but adding toppings takes it to the next level! Just like with tacos, the topping possibilities are endless. I always like to reserve some extra Fritos to crush over each serving for added crunch. Here are some of my favorite toppings:
- Sour Cream: Adds a cool and creamy contrast.
- Shredded Lettuce: For freshness and texture.
- Black Olives: Salty and briny.
- Diced Avocado or Guacamole: Creamy and rich.
- Diced Tomatoes or Pico de Gallo: For extra freshness.
- Chopped Cilantro: Adds a fresh, herbaceous note.
- Salsa or Hot Sauce: For an extra kick of flavor and heat.
Frito Pie is also fantastic with other Tex-Mex inspired dishes. If you love the flavor of Fritos, be sure to try my Chicken Enchilada Chili for another comforting meal.
Frito Pie Leftover Tips
Leftovers of Frito Pie can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Pro-Tip for Leftovers: To prevent the Fritos from getting soggy if you anticipate leftovers, bake the meat mixture separately and only assemble individual portions with Fritos and cheese when serving or reheating. This keeps the chips nice and crunchy! You can reheat the meat mixture in the microwave or oven until heated through. Then, simply layer with fresh Fritos and cheese and broil for a minute or two until the cheese is melted.
More Easy Dinner Recipes You’ll Love
Frito Pie Recipe – a Frito taco pie recipe that is great for busy weeknights. Delicious comfort food that the whole family love.
If you enjoyed this Pioneer Woman inspired Frito Pie recipe, you might also like these other easy and family-friendly dinner recipes: Easy Dinner Recipes.
Pioneer Woman Frito Pie Recipe
By Erin
This Pioneer Woman Frito Pie recipe is a quick and delicious weeknight meal, perfect for families. Enjoy this comforting and easy-to-make dish!
Prep: 5 minutes mins
Cook: 25 minutes mins
Total: 30 minutes mins
Servings: 5
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Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground Beef
- 1 small Onion, finely chopped
- 1 packet Taco Seasoning
- 1 10-ounce can Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies
- 1 15 ounce can Ranch Style Beans
- 1 cup Corn Kernels
- 1 10.25 oz bag Fritos
- 1 1/2 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread 3/4 of the bag of Fritos in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- In a large skillet brown ground beef and onion until fully cooked and onions are soft. If there is fat or grease in your pan, drain.
- Mix in taco seasoning until well blended.
- Add diced tomatoes, beans and corn. Mix until everything is well combined.
- Pour over fritos and spread into an even layer. Sprinkle the cheese over the beef mixture.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve topped with additional Fritos and your favorite taco toppings.
Notes
Recipe calls for just the corn kernels. I like to use frozen corn and measure out 1 cup. If you use canned corn, you will need to drain, so you just have the kernels.
Nutrition
Serving: 1g | Calories: 868kcal | Carbohydrates: 64g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 50g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 28g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 114mg | Sodium: 1878mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 7g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Author: Erin
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Course: Dinner Recipes
Cuisine: American
Servings: 5
Calories: 868
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