Chili Cheese Casserole Recipe (Frito Casserole)

This chili cheese casserole is a warm and hearty meal that is sure to leave you and your family full and satisfied. Seasoned ground beef cooked with diced green chiles, beans, corn and salsa makes up the heart of the dish.

Then this chili based filling is placed in between two layers of corn chips. Add a little shredded cheese on top and it is ready to go into the oven!

With the help of a few prepared ingredients it makes for the perfect weeknight dinner recipe when there is little time to spend in the kitchen. In addition, it is a great dish to take to a party or potluck.

You can serve it as the main dish or let everyone enjoy it as a side dish. However, no matter what, at the end of the day you won’t have to worry about taking leftovers home.

This recipe is a huge crowd pleaser and is a favorite among both kids and adults. I mean, who can resist the crunchy, cheesy and beefy dish that has a ton of flavor?

What Exactly Is Chili Cheese Casserole?

If you have never heard of this casserole, you may know it as a different name. That is because it is commonly also referred to as Frito Pie, Frito Chili Pie, or Corn Chip Chili Casserole.

Although no matter what you call it, it is a dish that is made up of a thickened chili mixture placed in a baking dish with corn chips and cheese. Once it comes out of the oven, you can individualize each serving with your favorite chili toppings.

Customize Chili Cheese Casserole

While this tasty dish is super simple on its own, it’s also easy to make modifications based on taste and dietary preferences. From the meat, cheese, chips and toppings – there’s so many great ways that you can customize this dish.

1. The Meat

While the recipe originally calls for lean ground beef, you can use any ratio of beef that you prefer or what you have on hand. I prefer to use 90/10 lean to fat ratio ground beef. This will allow you to have great beefy flavor in the dish without too much grease.

However you can use 80/20 lean to fat ratio ground beef if you prefer. Although it will render more grease during the cooking process and therefore you will need to drain the meat once it browns.

For a healthier option you can also use ground turkey or ground chicken. Just be sure to add a little oil to the skillet when you go to cook the meat to prevent sticking.  

For vegetarian options, plant-based proteins are another great choice. There are several options to choose from at most large grocery stores.

2. Corn Chips

Standard corn chips are used as the base and the topping in this chili cheese casserole. However, if you want to add even more flavor to your dish, use Chili Cheese Corn Chips.

However if you aren’t a fan of the thick, curly corn chips, there are other options. Use flavored nacho chips instead in this casserole. Both the flavor and the crunch will pair well with the other ingredients like in my Doritos Chicken Casserole recipe.

Again, feel free to switch up the flavor of the tortilla chips. There are so many different varieties out there, I am sure you will find one that you love.   

3. Chili

This recipe calls for a can of prepared chili. Here you can choose with or without beans and also the spice level of the type of chili that you prefer.

4. Beans

Not a fan of beans in your chili? No problem! Although they add great flavor and texture you can certainly omit them from the recipe without making any other changes.

5. Cheese

Shredded cheese is added as part of the topping to hold the corn chips together. Use whatever variety of cheese that you prefer.

Cheddar, Mexican Blend and even Chihuahua cheese are all great options. As with any baking recipe, it is best to shred the cheese yourself so that it melts better.

Chili Cheese Casserole Recipe

*Specific measurements and complete recipe instructions are located in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. However, be sure to continue to read the tips and tricks to making this recipe below.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lb ground beef, 90/10 lean to fat ratio preferred
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 4 oz diced green chiles
• 16 oz canned chili
• 16 oz chili beans, any variety
• 15 can corn drained
• 1 cup salsa
• 1 Tbsp dry taco seasoning
• 10.5 oz bag of corn chips (ex. Fritos)
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

INSTRUCTIONS

To begin, preheat the oven to 350°F. Then spray a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.

In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and onions until the meat is no longer pink and the onions become translucent. Drain the grease (if needed) and return the mixture to the skillet.

Next, add the diced green chiles, chili, chili beans, corn, salsa, and taco seasoning to the skillet. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring often. Continue to simmer for 10 minutes.

For the topping, crush the corn chips into coarse crumbs. Spread half of crushed corn chips into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Then, spread the meat chili mixture on top of the chips and top the meat with the remaining crushed corn chips.

Last, spread the cheese on top being sure to cover the entire casserole with the cheese. Place in the preheated oven and bake the chili cheese casserole for 35-40 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the edges of the casserole are hot and bubbly.

How to Serve 

This dish is best served immediately after it comes out of the oven because the corn chips will still be crunchy. Scoop out your portion and then add your favorite toppings.

Suggested Toppings:

• Salsa
• Sour Cream
• Diced Cilantro’
• Sliced Avocados
• Diced Onion
• Diced Jalapeno peppers
• Hot Sauce

Storing and Reheating

If you happen to have any leftover casserole, you can easily store the leftovers in the refrigerator.  Place the casserole in a covered container and store for up to 5 days.

However, be aware that the texture of the leftovers will be somewhat altered. That is because the corn chips will absorb moisture when the chili cheese casserole is stored in the refrigerator.

Although it will still be delicious, just know that the chips will not be as crisp as when served immediately. However once you reheat your leftovers, serve some more corn chips on the side so you can still get that iconic crunch.

Enjoy!

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