Description
This Crock Pot Frito Pie is a comforting Tex-Mex main course featuring seasoned ground beef, chili beans, and tomatoes slow-cooked to perfection. Topped with crunchy Fritos, melted cheddar cheese, and classic garnishes like sour cream and jalapeños, it’s an easy and flavorful dish ideal for game day or casual family meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Chili Base
- 1 (15 oz) can chili beans, undrained
- 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chiles (like Rotel)
- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Toppings
- 3 cups Fritos corn chips, plus more for serving
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
- Chopped green onions, for garnish
- Sour cream, for serving
- Jalapeño slices, for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the Meat: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, and sauté together until softened, about 3 to 4 minutes. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
- Transfer to Crock Pot: Move the cooked beef mixture into the crock pot. Add the chili beans (undrained), diced tomatoes with green chiles, tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
- Slow Cook: Cover the crock pot and cook on low heat for 6 to 7 hours, or on high heat for 3 to 4 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the chili to thicken.
- Add Fritos and Cheese: Just before serving, stir in 2 cups of Fritos and 1.5 cups of shredded cheddar cheese into the chili. Let the mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes so the cheese melts and the chili thickens slightly.
- Serve: Spoon the Frito pie into bowls. Top each serving with additional Fritos, the remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, chopped green onions, sour cream, and jalapeño slices if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or ground chicken to make a lighter version of this recipe.
- For added heat, incorporate diced jalapeños into the crock pot during the slow cooking phase.
- This dish also works great served over rice or baked potatoes for a hearty alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
