If you’re craving a comforting, hearty meal that feels like a warm hug on a plate, this Crockpot Frito Pie Recipe is just what you need. With layers of savory ground beef, colorful bell peppers, tender beans, and melty cheddar cheese all slow-cooked to perfection, it brings together bold Tex-Mex flavors and a satisfying crunch from the iconic Fritos corn chips. Whether you’re feeding family or friends, this dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s as simple to prepare as it is delicious to eat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Crockpot Frito Pie Recipe uses a handful of straightforward ingredients that combine to create a vibrant, rich dish bursting with flavor and texture. Each component plays a vital role, making sure every bite is perfectly balanced between hearty, spicy, cheesy, and crunchy.
- Lean ground beef: Provides the meaty base with plenty of protein and heartiness.
- Small onion (diced): Adds sweetness and depth of flavor as it cooks down.
- Green bell pepper (diced): Gives a fresh, mild crunch and a pop of green color.
- Red bell pepper (diced): Offers sweetness and gorgeous vibrant hue.
- Chili seasoning (1 ounce): Infuses the dish with classic Tex-Mex spices to warm your palate.
- Garlic cloves (minced): Lends aromatic intensity and savoriness.
- Diced green chiles (4 ounces): Adds mild heat and a tangy kick.
- Chili beans (15 ounces, undrained): Provides rich texture and earthy notes.
- Black beans (15 ounces, rinsed and drained): Brings creaminess and additional fiber.
- Tomato sauce (29 ounces): Creates a luscious, tangy base for the chili flavors.
- Cornstarch (½ tablespoon): Thickens the sauce to just the right consistency.
- Sugar (½ tablespoon): Balances acidity and rounds out the flavors.
- Cheddar cheese (2 cups, shredded, divided): Melts beautifully, adding gooey richness and sharpness.
- Corn chips (9.25 ounces): The star crunchy topping providing that irresistible salty snap.
- Toppings: Your choice of scallions, sour cream, or anything you love to customize your pie.
How to Make Crockpot Frito Pie Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Meat
Heat a medium skillet over medium-high and brown the lean ground beef until it’s fully cooked and nicely crumbly. Drain any excess grease to keep the dish from becoming too oily and to let the beef’s flavor really shine through.
Step 2: Combine Ingredients in the Slow Cooker
Into your slow cooker, add the cooked ground beef along with diced onion, green and red bell peppers, chili seasoning, minced garlic, diced green chiles, chili beans (with their sauce), rinsed black beans, and tomato sauce. Sprinkle in cornstarch and sugar to help thicken and balance the flavors.
Step 3: Stir and Cook Low and Slow
Give everything a thorough stir to marry all those ingredients together. Cover and let your Crockpot do its magic on low for 4 to 6 hours. This slow and steady cooking melds the flavors and tenderizes the veggies perfectly.
Step 4: Add Cheese Before Serving
About 5 minutes before serving, stir in half of the shredded cheddar cheese. This step ensures that the cheese melts evenly throughout the chili, adding creamy, rich bites throughout the dish.
Step 5: Layer with Corn Chips and Cheese
Next, spread half the bag of corn chips over the top in an even layer, then sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese on top. Cover the slow cooker again just until the cheese melts – this creates a gooey, crispy top layer that’s irresistible.
Step 6: Plate with Remaining Chips and Serve
Before spooning the pie onto plates, arrange the remaining corn chips as the base on each serving plate. Then ladle the hot, cheesy chili mixture over the chips. Top generously with your favorite garnishes and dig in!
How to Serve Crockpot Frito Pie Recipe
Garnishes
Adding fresh garnishes like sliced scallions, a dollop of sour cream, chopped cilantro, or even diced avocado adds bright flavor and a refreshing contrast to the rich pie. Pick your favorites to elevate both taste and presentation.
Side Dishes
This Crockpot Frito Pie Recipe pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad or simple steamed veggies to balance the richness. Cornbread or warm flour tortillas also complement the chili’s flavors and make the meal even more satisfying.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve this pie layered in individual ramekins or small cast-iron skillets. You can also assemble it as a layered casserole in a baking dish, then broil the cheese topping for extra bubbly, golden goodness.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your leftover Crockpot Frito Pie in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. It will thicken more as it cools, so stirring in a splash of broth or water when reheating helps restore the perfect consistency.
Freezing
You can freeze this dish in portions for convenience. Use airtight freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently on the stove or in the microwave.
Reheating
Warm leftovers on the stovetop or in a microwave-safe bowl until heated through. Stir occasionally and add a bit of broth if it appears too thick. Re-melt any cheese topping separately if needed for that same fresh-from-the-Crockpot feel.
FAQs
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?
Absolutely! Ground turkey is a leaner option and will work well in this Crockpot Frito Pie Recipe, though it may be slightly less rich. Just brown it as you would the beef and proceed with the same steps.
What can I substitute for chili seasoning?
If you don’t have pre-mixed chili seasoning, you can make your own blend using chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and a pinch of cayenne for heat. This lets you customize the spice level perfectly.
Are there vegetarian options for this recipe?
Yes! Simply omit the meat and add extra beans or even cooked lentils for protein. Use vegetable broth or tomato sauce to boost flavor, and it will still taste hearty and delicious.
Can I prepare this in an Instant Pot?
You can adapt the Crockpot Frito Pie Recipe for an Instant Pot by using the sauté function to brown the meat first, then adding all ingredients and cooking on manual high pressure for about 15 minutes. Use natural pressure release for best texture.
How spicy is this Frito pie?
The spice level is moderate thanks to the chili seasoning and green chiles, but it’s very customizable. Add more chiles or a pinch of cayenne if you like it hot, or reduce the chili powder for a milder dish.
Final Thoughts
I truly hope you give this Crockpot Frito Pie Recipe a try soon because it’s one of those dishes that brings warmth, comfort, and joy all in one pot. It’s perfect for busy days when you want to come home to a hearty, flavorful meal without fuss. Plus, it’s always a hit with everyone at the table, no matter the occasion. Enjoy every cheesy, crunchy bite!
Print
Crockpot Frito Pie Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This hearty Crockpot Frito Pie is a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for a cozy meal. Ground beef, beans, peppers, and spices are slow-cooked together and topped with melted cheddar cheese and crunchy corn chips, then garnished with your favorite toppings like scallions and sour cream. It’s an easy-to-make recipe that yields six generous servings, ideal for family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 ounce chili seasoning
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 ounces diced green chiles
- 15 ounces chili beans, undrained
- 15 ounces black beans, rinsed and drained
- 29 ounces tomato sauce
- ½ tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ tablespoon sugar
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
- 9.25 ounces corn chips
Toppings
- Scallions (optional)
- Sour cream (optional)
- Other favorite toppings like jalapeños or diced tomatoes (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef thoroughly until no longer pink. Drain excess fat to keep the dish lean.
- Add Ingredients to Slow Cooker: Transfer the browned beef to your slow cooker. Add diced onion, green and red bell peppers, chili seasoning, minced garlic, diced green chiles, chili beans (with liquid), rinsed black beans, tomato sauce, cornstarch, and sugar.
- Mix Ingredients: Stir all the ingredients together inside the slow cooker until well combined for an even flavor distribution.
- Cook Low and Slow: Cover the slow cooker and cook on the low setting for 4 to 6 hours, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Add Cheese Before Serving: About 5 minutes before serving, stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese into the mixture inside the slow cooker to melt through and add richness.
- Add Corn Chips Layer: Spread half the bag of corn chips evenly over the top of the cheesy chili mixture in the slow cooker.
- Top with Remaining Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese over the layer of corn chips.
- Melt the Cheese: Cover the slow cooker just long enough to allow the top cheese layer to melt nicely over the chips.
- Serve with Chips: Place the remaining corn chips onto serving plates and spoon the warm Frito Pie mixture on top of the chips.
- Add Toppings and Enjoy: Garnish with your favorite toppings, such as scallions and sour cream, then serve immediately and enjoy the comforting flavors.
Notes
- For extra heat, add diced jalapeños or hot sauce to the slow cooker.
- If preferred, substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- You can prepare this recipe a day ahead; store in the refrigerator and reheat gently before serving.
- Leftovers keep well for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
- For a thicker consistency, reduce the tomato sauce slightly or adjust cornstarch quantity.
