Delicious Frito Pie with a Twist: A Versatile and Flavorful Dish

Frito Pie is a beloved comfort food that combines crunchy corn chips with a savory, cheesy topping. This versatile recipe allows you to use beef, tofu, crawfish, or your meat of choice, paired with black beans, corn, Velveeta cheese, and Rotel tomatoes. For an exciting twist, we’ll add a hint of smoky chipotle and fresh avocado to elevate the flavors. Perfect for game day, family dinners, or a casual get-together, this Frito Pie is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Let’s dive into this delicious recipe!

Ingredients

For the Frito Pie Base:

• 1 pound ground beef, crumbled tofu, crawfish, or meat of choice

• 1 tablespoon olive oil (if using tofu or crawfish)

• 1 onion, chopped

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed

• 1 can (15 ounces) corn, drained

• 1 can (10 ounces) Rotel tomatoes with green chilies, undrained

• 1 teaspoon chili powder

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Cheese Sauce:

• 8 ounces Velveeta cheese, cubed

• 1/2 cup milk

• 1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder (for a smoky twist)

For Assembly:

• 1 bag (10.5 ounces) Fritos corn chips

• 2 avocados, diced

• Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

• Sour cream (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Frito Pie Base

1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat if using tofu or crawfish. If using ground beef, no additional oil is needed.

2. Add the chopped onion and garlic to the skillet and sauté until fragrant and softened, about 3-4 minutes.

3. Add the ground beef, crumbled tofu, or crawfish to the skillet and cook until browned or heated through. If using beef, drain any excess fat.

4. Stir in the black beans, corn, Rotel tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.

2. Make the Cheese Sauce

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the Velveeta cheese cubes and milk.

2. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.

3. Stir in the chipotle powder for an added smoky flavor.

3. Assemble the Frito Pie

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Spread a layer of Fritos corn chips in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.

3. Pour the Frito Pie base mixture over the corn chips, spreading it out evenly.

4. Drizzle the cheese sauce over the top of the Frito Pie base.

5. Sprinkle with additional Fritos on top for extra crunch.

4. Bake and Serve

1. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the dish is heated through and the top is slightly bubbly.

2. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.

3. Top with diced avocado and fresh cilantro. Add a dollop of sour cream if desired.

4. Serve immediately and enjoy!

This Frito Pie with a twist is a versatile and flavorful dish that can be customized with your choice of meat and enhanced with fresh avocado and a hint of smoky chipotle. Whether you’re serving it for game day, a family dinner, or a casual get-together, this recipe is sure to impress and satisfy. Enjoy this delicious comfort food and savor every bite!