Frito Pie (Mexico, Southwest USA)

The origin of this classic concession stand dish is hotly contested between Mexico, Texas and New Mexico. Between a 1949 recipe in Texas, the 1932 beginning of Fritos in Mexico and a 1960 Woolworth's menu in Santa Fe, they can't even agree on when it was created, let alone where. And for as many claims to the origin of the dish, there are even more variations. Besides the required beef chili and corn chips, you can add basically any topping that would go well on chili dogs or tacos. This recipe is for a baked, Texas-style version of Frito pie, made with corn chips, chili, cheese and onion.

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 20

Total Time 25

Course Main Course, Snack

Cuisine American, Mexican

Servings 4 People

Equipment

Normal Kitchen Utensils
8×11 Inch Casserole Dish Or Similar Size

Ingredients

9-11 Oz. Corn Chips
2 15 Oz. Cans Chili About 3 C
8 Oz. Cheddar and/or Monterrey Jack Cheese Grated, About 2 C
1/2 Medium White or Yellow Onion Diced
1/4 C Sliced, Pickled Jalapeños (Optional)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
Grease an 8×11 inch casserole dish. You can use a larger dish, but won't be able to layer the "pie" as well.
Pour half of your corn chips into the dish.
9-11 Oz. Corn Chips
Top evenly with half the chili and half the grated cheese.
2 15 Oz. Cans Chili, 8 Oz. Cheddar and/or Monterrey Jack Cheese
This step is up to your taste. I like to add a third of the onion here, so it bakes with the "pie".
1/2 Medium White or Yellow Onion
Add the remaining corn chips in an even layer.
Top evenly with the remaining chili and cheese.
If you would like, add another third of the diced onion.
Baked at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, until everything is cooked through and the cheese is melted.
Top with the remaining diced onion and (optional) sliced Jalapeños and serve right away.
1/4 C Sliced, Pickled Jalapeños

Notes

You can top this dish with nearly anything. As long as there is chili and corn chips, it still counts.

I like to add sour cream and diced tomatoes or pico de gallo. Try adding salsa as well, or replacing the grated cheese with queso. Give it a squeeze of lime or a sprinkling of fresh cilantro. Try it concession stand style with nacho cheese, or chili dog style with mustard and cut up hotdogs. The possibilities are endless!

Keyword Baked, Cheese, Chili, Frito, Onion, Pie

Did you know “frito” means “fried” in Spanish? C.E. Doolin originally came up with the idea for Fritos corn chips at a café in Mexico. Click here to learn more about the creation of Fritos all the way back in 1932. Then, click here to learn about Texas’ 1949 Frito pie recipe and Santa Fe’s Woolworth’s Frito Pie.

Frito pie often comes served in the bag the chips came in. If you’re from the Midwest US, you may call this a walking taco. We have a similar dish by the same name further south, which uses taco meat, lettuce and tortilla chips.

Frito Pie (Mexico, Southwest USA)