Description

Loaded Frito Pie Magic is a hearty, comforting dish featuring a spicy, savory chili made with ground beef, beans, and tomatoes served over crispy Fritos corn chips and topped with cheddar cheese and optional jalapeños and sour cream. This easy skillet recipe offers a perfect balance of smoky, spicy, and tangy flavors, making it the ultimate comfort food fix for gatherings or weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Chili Mixture

2 Tbsp Extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium white onion, chopped and divided
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp Tomato paste
1 lb Ground beef
1.5 Tbsp Chili powder
1 tsp Ground cumin
1 tsp Dried oregano
0.25 tsp Cayenne pepper
Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
28 oz can crushed tomatoes
15 oz can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
4 oz can green chili

For Serving

6 1-oz bags Fritos
Jalapeño, thinly sliced (optional)
2 cups Shredded cheddar cheese
Sour cream (optional)

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Instructions

Sauté Onion: Heat the extra-virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add half of the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until translucent and soft.
Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
Add Tomato Paste and Ground Beef: Mix in the tomato paste and cook briefly. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula as it browns, continuing to cook about 5-7 minutes until well browned.
Season the Meat: Sprinkle in chili powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper then stir well to combine and coat the meat evenly.
Add Tomatoes, Beans, and Chili: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, drained pinto beans, and the green chili. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
Simmer the Chili: Let the chili cook uncovered for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and flavors melded.
Assemble Frito Pie: Portion out Fritos into serving dishes or bags. Ladle the hot chili generously over the Fritos.
Add Toppings: Garnish with thinly sliced jalapeños and shredded cheddar cheese. Optionally, add a dollop of sour cream for creaminess before serving.

Notes

You can substitute ground turkey or plant-based protein for a leaner or vegetarian option.
If preferred, crushed tomatoes can be swapped with tomato paste or fresh tomatoes for different textures.
Adjust chili powder and cayenne pepper to control the heat level to your taste.
For a brighter herb flavor, fresh oregano can be used instead of dried.
Black beans can replace pinto beans for a different bean variety.
Monterey Jack cheese makes a great alternative to cheddar for a milder taste.
This recipe can be made ahead and tastes even better the next day as flavors further develop.