Classic Frito Pie for a Crowd
This hearty and flavorful Classic Frito Pie recipe is perfect for serving a large crowd of 100 people. Combining seasoned ground beef, savory ranch-style beans, and zesty tomatoes, this dish is a crowd-pleaser that’s easy to prepare and serve. With crispy Fritos on the bottom, it’s topped with melted cheddar cheese and optional condiments like chopped onions and ketchup, making it a satisfying meal for parties, potlucks, or family gatherings. Bring the joy of Tex-Mex comfort food to your next event with this generous and delicious Frito Pie.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
lean ground beef
14 lbs (Cooked and crumbled)
dark ground chili powder
2 cups (Spice blend)
ground cumin
1/2 cup (Spice blend)
ground paprika
1/2 cup (Spice blend)
salt
3 tablespoons (To taste)
garlic powder
5 tablespoons (To taste)
ground red pepper
2 tablespoons (Spice blend)
ranch style beans
4 gallons (Canned, drained)
water
1 gallon (Hot water for mixing)
tomato juice
1 gallon (For sauce)
diced tomatoes
3 quarts (Canned, drained)
tomato paste
3 1/2 cups (For sauce)
chopped fresh onions
3 lbs (Diced)
grated cheddar cheese
3 lbs (For topping)
Instructions
1
In a large steam-jacketed kettle, add the lean ground beef. Cook over medium heat, allowing the beef to brown and break apart, stirring frequently until fully cooked and no longer pink. Drain any excess fat.
2
In a separate bowl, mix together the chili powder, ground cumin, paprika, salt, garlic powder, and ground red pepper. Once the beef is cooked, gradually stir in this spice mixture until the beef is evenly coated.
3
Prepare the tomato liquid by mixing the tomato juice with one gallon of hot water to create a total of two gallons. Set this reserve aside for the next step.
4
Add the ranch-style beans, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and chopped onions to the beef mixture. Stir everything thoroughly to combine.
5
Pour in the reserved bean liquid and the remaining hot water. Carefully stir again, bring the entire mixture to a gentle boil, then cover and reduce the heat. Allow it to simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Note: Avoid boiling for best flavor.
6
To serve, ladle the beef and bean mixture over a pile of Fritos, generously sprinkle with grated cheddar cheese, and offer chopped onions and ketchup as optional toppings for your guests.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Classic Frito Pie for a Crowd?
It is a hearty Tex-Mex comfort food dish featuring seasoned ground beef, ranch-style beans, and tomatoes served over Fritos corn chips.
How many people does this recipe serve?
This large-batch recipe is designed to serve a crowd of 100 people.
How much ground beef is required?
You will need 14 pounds of lean ground beef.
What is the total amount of chili powder used?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of dark ground chili powder.
How much ground cumin is needed?
You should use 1/2 cup of ground cumin.
What amount of ground paprika is included?
The recipe requires 1/2 cup of ground paprika.
How much salt should be added?
Use 3 tablespoons of salt, or adjust to taste.
What is the measurement for garlic powder?
The recipe uses 5 tablespoons of garlic powder.
Is there any spicy heat in this recipe?
Yes, it include 2 tablespoons of ground red pepper for a zesty flavor.
How many gallons of ranch style beans are needed?
You will need 4 gallons of canned, drained ranch style beans.
How much water is added to the mixture?
The recipe uses 1 gallon of hot water for mixing.
How much tomato juice is used for the sauce?
One gallon of tomato juice is required.
What quantity of diced tomatoes is needed?
You will need 3 quarts of canned, drained diced tomatoes.
How much tomato paste is required?
The recipe calls for 3 1/2 cups of tomato paste.
How many pounds of onions are used?
The recipe requires 3 lbs of fresh chopped onions.
How much cheese is needed for the topping?
You will need 3 lbs of grated cheddar cheese.
What equipment is recommended for cooking?
A large steam-jacketed kettle is recommended for preparing this quantity.
How should the ground beef be prepared?
The beef should be cooked over medium heat until browned and crumbled, then drained of excess fat.
When should I add the spice mixture?
Gradually stir in the spice mixture once the beef is fully cooked and no longer pink.
How is the tomato liquid reserve prepared?
Mix one gallon of tomato juice with one gallon of hot water to create a total of two gallons.
How long does the mixture need to simmer?
The beef and bean mixture should simmer for 2 hours.
Why should I avoid boiling the mixture?
Avoiding a hard boil helps maintain the best flavor of the ingredients.
How do I prevent the mixture from sticking?
Stir the mixture occasionally while it simmers to prevent sticking.
How is the dish assembled for serving?
Ladle the beef and bean mixture over Fritos and sprinkle with grated cheddar cheese.
What are the suggested optional toppings?
Optional toppings include additional chopped onions and ketchup.
What kind of events is this recipe suitable for?
It is perfect for parties, potlucks, and large family gatherings.
What is the primary flavor profile of this dish?
It is a savory, seasoned Tex-Mex dish with a balance of beef, beans, and spices.
Should the beans be drained?
Yes, the recipe specifies using canned, drained ranch style beans.
Can I adjust the seasonings?
Yes, seasonings like salt and garlic powder can be adjusted to taste.
How do I serve the onions?
The recipe calls for 3 lbs of onions, part of which is cooked into the beef and part can be used as a fresh topping.