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a plate of frito chili pie
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4.86 from 7 votes

Frito Chili Pie

This easy Frito Chili Pie is a nostalgic 80’s school lunch favorite, also known as Texas Straw Hat. An easy ground beef recipe that the kids will love!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8
Calories: 535kcal
Author: Julie Clark

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 2/3 cup chopped celery
  • 2/3 cup chopped green bell pepper
  • 12 ounces tomato paste
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • dash hot sauce
  • corn chips
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • In a saucepan over medium heat, brown the ground beef, onion, celery and pepper until the beef is completely cooked. Drain off the fat. 1 pound ground beef, 1 cup chopped onion, 2/3 cup chopped celery, 2/3 cup chopped green bell pepper
  • Add the tomato paste, water and seasonings. Stir the mixture and allow it to reheat to a very low boil.  12 ounces tomato paste, 1 cup water, 2 teaspoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, dash hot sauce
  • Cover the pan, reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender.
  • Serve over corn chips and sprinkle the top with cheddar cheese. corn chips, 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Video

Notes

  • For a casserole: Fill the bottom of a 9x13 baking pan with corn chips. Spoon the beef mixture over the top of the chips. Sprinkle with cheese, then bake under the oven broiler (on low) for 3-5 minutes until the cheese is melted. Watch it closely!
  • To serve with chip bags: Open a single-serving corn chip bag. Add the beef sauce and cheese. Use a spoon to mix well and serve immediately. 
  • Storage: Store leftover chili in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. 
  • Refer to the article above for more tips and tricks.
    The calories shown are based on the recipe serving 8, with 1 serving being 1/8 of the chili pie. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. **

Nutrition

Calories: 535kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 69mg | Sodium: 959mg | Potassium: 759mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1165IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 311mg | Iron: 3.4mg