Easy Frito Pie Casserole: The Comfort Food for Busy Weeknights

When you’re looking for a dinner recipe that checks all the boxes—quick, budget-friendly, crowd-pleasing, and seriously delicious—this Easy Frito Pie Casserole is your answer. This isn’t just any casserole; it’s a Tex-Mex inspired masterpiece that combines the satisfying crunch of Fritos corn chips with seasoned ground beef, melty cheese, and all the toppings your heart desires.

What makes this recipe truly special is how it transforms simple pantry staples into a restaurant-quality dish that the whole family will devour. The bottom layer of Fritos gets slightly softened by the savory meat mixture, creating an irresistible texture that’s part crunchy, part tender. Meanwhile, the top layer of chips stays perfectly crispy, adding that signature Frito crunch to every bite.

Whether you’re feeding hungry kids after soccer practice, hosting a casual game-day gathering, or simply craving comfort food on a Wednesday evening, this Frito Pie casserole delivers big flavor with minimal effort. Best of all, it comes together in about 30 minutes from start to finish, making it one of those reliable recipes you’ll turn to again and again.

Why You’ll Love This Frito Pie Recipe

This casserole has everything going for it. First, it’s incredibly versatile—you can customize it with your favorite toppings or adjust the spice level to suit your family’s preferences. Second, it’s a complete meal in one dish, combining protein, carbs, and plenty of flavor without requiring multiple side dishes. Third, kids absolutely love it. There’s something about the combination of chips and cheese that makes even picky eaters ask for seconds.

The recipe also scales beautifully, so you can easily double it for a potluck or large gathering. It reheats wonderfully, making it perfect for meal prep or enjoying as leftovers throughout the week. Plus, with mostly pantry ingredients, you can keep the essentials on hand and whip this up whenever the craving strikes.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the meat mixture:

1 pound lean ground beef
1 small onion, peeled and diced
1 ounce taco seasoning (1 pouch or homemade)
2/3 cup water
10 ounces enchilada sauce (1 can)
15 ounces pinto beans (1 can), drained and rinsed

For the casserole:

1 (9.25 ounce) bag Fritos corn chips, divided
2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese, divided
1 green onion, chopped

Optional toppings:

Sour cream
Guacamole
Additional chopped green onions
Diced tomatoes
Sliced jalapeños
Fresh cilantro

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare Your Workspace

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. This ensures it’s ready to go as soon as you’ve assembled your casserole. Grab a 9×13-inch glass baking dish and give it a generous spray with non-stick cooking spray. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup much easier later.

Cook the Ground Beef

Place a large skillet over medium heat and crumble in the ground beef. Add the diced onions directly to the pan—cooking them together ensures the onions become tender and slightly caramelized, adding depth to the overall flavor. Stir frequently, breaking up the meat into small crumbles as it cooks. This should take about 6-8 minutes.

Once the beef is fully browned with no pink remaining, drain off any excess fat. Leaving too much grease can make your casserole oily, so take a moment to do this step properly. Return the skillet to the heat.

Season and Simmer

Sprinkle the taco seasoning evenly over the cooked beef and onions. Pour in the water and stir everything together thoroughly, making sure the seasoning is well distributed. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld and the liquid to reduce slightly, creating a more concentrated, flavorful filling.

Add the Sauce and Beans

Pour in the enchilada sauce and add the drained pinto beans to the skillet. Stir everything together until well combined. The enchilada sauce adds moisture and a subtle spicy-tangy flavor that ties all the ingredients together. Let this mixture simmer for another minute or two while you prepare the baking dish.

Layer Your Casserole

Now comes the fun part—building your Frito Pie! Pour about 4 cups of Fritos into the bottom of your prepared baking dish, spreading them into an even layer. These will form the crunchy base of your casserole. Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded cheese over the chips. This cheese layer helps bind everything together and creates pockets of melted goodness throughout.

Carefully spoon the meat mixture over the cheese and chip layer, spreading it evenly to the edges of the dish. Top with the remaining 1 cup of cheese, covering the meat mixture completely. This top layer of cheese will melt and bubble beautifully in the oven, creating an irresistible golden top.

Bake to Perfection

Slide the casserole into your preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the cheese is fully melted and bubbly, and you can see the edges starting to brown slightly. The casserole should be heated through completely.

Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle the remaining Fritos over the top. These stay extra crunchy since they’re added after baking, providing that perfect textural contrast.

Serve and Enjoy

Let the casserole cool for about 5 minutes before serving. This brief resting period allows the layers to set slightly, making it easier to serve neat portions. Garnish with chopped green onions and set out bowls of sour cream and guacamole for everyone to customize their servings.

Tips for the Best Frito Pie

Choose lean ground beef (90/10 or 93/7) to minimize excess grease. If using a fattier blend, be extra thorough when draining.

Don’t skip rinsing the beans—this removes excess sodium and the starchy liquid that can make your casserole watery.

For extra flavor, try using fire-roasted enchilada sauce or adding a can of diced green chiles to the meat mixture.

If you prefer spicier food, add a dash of cayenne pepper or use a hot variety of taco seasoning.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The Fritos will soften over time, but the flavors actually develop and deepen, making leftovers particularly tasty. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or warm the entire casserole in a 325°F oven until heated through.

Nutritional Information

This Frito Pie casserole proves that comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated. With simple ingredients, minimal prep work, and maximum flavor, it’s destined to become a regular in your dinner rotation.