Southwest Frito Pie

Get ready to dive into layers of flavor with this Southwest Frito Pie, a Tex-Mex comfort food classic that’s as fun to eat as it is delicious! Featuring seasoned ground beef cooked with aromatic spices, hearty black beans, and fire-roasted tomatoes with green chilies, this dish is bursting with bold, zesty flavors. The savory meat mixture is served over a bed of crunchy Frito corn chips and finished with gooey melted cheddar cheese, creating the perfect balance of textures. Whether baked in a casserole dish or assembled in individual bowls, it's quick to prepare—just 15 minutes of prep and 25 minutes of cook time! Top it off with fresh green onions, a sprinkle of cilantro, and a dollop of sour cream for an irresistible meal everyone will love. Perfect for weeknight dinners, game days, or potlucks, this vibrant Frito Pie is sure to please any crowd.

Nutriscore Rating: 60/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 lb Ground beef
• 1 medium, diced Yellow onion
• 2 minced Garlic cloves
• 14.5 oz Diced tomatoes with green chilies (such as Rotel)
• 15 oz, drained and rinsed Black beans
• 2 tbsp Chili powder
• 1 tsp Ground cumin
• 1 tsp Paprika
• 1 tsp (adjust to taste) Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 10 oz bag Frito corn chips
• 2 cups Shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 sliced (for garnish) Green onions
• 2 tbsp, chopped (for garnish, optional) Cilantro
• 0.5 cup (for serving, optional) Sour cream

Directions

Step 1

In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until fully cooked and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 2

Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute, or until fragrant.

Step 3

Drain any excess grease from the skillet, then return it to the heat.

Step 4

Add the diced tomatoes with green chilies, black beans, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.

Step 5

Lower the heat to medium-low and allow the mixture to simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, to let the flavors meld together.

Step 6

While the beef mixture is simmering, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) if you plan to bake the dish, or prepare individual bowls for serving.

Step 7

For an oven-baked version, spread an even layer of Frito corn chips in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 8

Pour the beef and bean mixture evenly over the chips, then sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese generously on top.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 10

If serving individually, spoon a layer of Frito chips into each bowl, top with a generous scoop of the beef mixture, and sprinkle with shredded cheese. Skip the baking step for this version.

Step 11

Garnish the Frito pie with sliced green onions, chopped cilantro, and a dollop of sour cream, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1666.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4237.1

Total Fat 281.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 111.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 600.7mg	0%
Sodium 7506.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 258.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 43.0g	0%
Total Sugars 16.2g
Protein 182.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 2282.5mg	0%
Iron 21.2mg	0%
Potassium 1848.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 59.0%

Protein: 17.0%

Carbs: 24.0%