Frito Pie – Throw Back Thursday

I remember making Frito pie on camping trips. Dad would make up a pot of chili. He’d open the top of our little bag of Fritos and put a scoop of chili inside. Top it off with some grated cheese and grab a spoon. We loved it. But it wasn’t just a camp food.

There are several theories as to who and how the Frito pie was invented. Texas and New Mexico have been debating since the 1960s who invented it first. It was actually published by the Fritos brand corn chip company in 1949 – And they got it from Mexico.

Wherever it came from, it’s still fun to eat.

frito

And if you can only find a big bag of Fritos, just put those chips in the bottom of a bowl and use the bowl for your bag. Not as much fun but tastes as delicious.

Making Frito Pie – 

Start by making the chili. We like to make a very simple chili – like you might get at a deli counter or a camping trip.

Brown the ground beef in a heavy saucepan.

Add the beans, then stir in the chili seasoning packet.

Next, stir in the tomatoes. Add 1/2 cup of water and stir until well mixed.

Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for about 30 to 40 minutes. The chili should be thickened but not too thick.

If you have the lunch sized bags of Fritos, open the top – if not, put a couple handfuls of Fritos in a soup bowl.

Top the Fritos with a good amount of chili, the sprinkle with some grated cheddar cheese.

frito

That’s it! Purely delicious fun. And so easy you can make it on a weeknight!

© Copyright 2021 The Lazy Gastronome

5 from 1 vote
frito
Frito Pie

A fun, easy weeknight meal.

Course: dinner, lunch, Main Course, main dish
Cuisine: American, camp, camping, tbt, Vintage
Keyword: camp, cheddar, chili flakes, Frito, Fritos, ground beef
Author: HelenFern
Ingredients
  • 1 pound ground chuck (80/20)
  • 15 oz can pinto beans with chili seasoning
  • 10 oz can diced tomatoes
  • 1 package chili seasoning blend
  • 1/2 cup water
  • Fritos!
  • Grated cheddar cheese
Instructions
  1. Start by making the chili. We like to make a very simple chili - like you might get at a deli counter or a camping trip.

    Brown the ground beef in a heavy saucepan.

    Add the beans, then stir in the chili seasoning packet.

    Next, stir in the tomatoes. Add 1/2 cup of water and stir until well mixed.

    Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for about 30 to 40 minutes. The chili should be thickened but not too thick.

    If you have the lunch sized bags of Fritos, open the top - if not, put a couple handfuls of Fritos in a soup bowl.

    Top the Fritos with a good amount of chili, the sprinkle with some grated cheddar cheese.

    That's it! Purely delicious fun. 

    © Copyright 2021 The Lazy Gastronome

frito

Leave me a comment – I’d love to hear your thoughts!

 

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4 Responses to Frito Pie – Throw Back Thursday

  1. 5 stars
    Love the sound of this Helen! Yum!! Thank you for sharing at Fiesta Friday party!

  2. Angie says:

    This brings back fond memories. I remember eating chili and cheese over Fritos in a little bag. Perfect little meal on a chilly autumn evening!

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