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    Home » Recipes » Main Meal » Healthier Turkey Frito Pie

    Published: May 7, 2021 by Linda Warren

    Healthier Turkey Frito Pie

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This healthier Turkey Frito Pie is a spicy, tomato-based turkey sausage chili with loads of cheese and homemade salty corn chips. A one-skillet dinner that is quick to pull together and makes the perfect, easy weeknight dinner or a dip for the big game.

    This post is sponsored by Prego®. The recipe and opinions stated below are 100% my own.

    Overhead of One Skillet Turkey Chili Pie with Prego sauce.

    One of my favorite comfort foods on a cold day is chili. Not only is chili extremely easy to make but when you pile all the toppings on, like homemade corn chips, it's absolutely delicious! I love making my Southwest Chipotle Chili and Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili, but this easy Turkey Frito Pie ranks right up there with them. 

    Tossing crispy corn chips on rich tomato sauce based turkey chili.

    The base of this chili is what makes it taste amazing as well as cutting down on ingredients and cook time. Prego Traditional Italian Sauce combined with a spicy chili sauce is a pair made in flavor heaven. It's rich and tomato-y with hints of zesty spices, which takes this chili to the next level. Now you're probably wondering why this is called Frito Pie, right? I could have called it Turkey Chili Pie but when you toss on those corn chips, the name is pretty apt. 

    Table of contents

    • What is Baked Frito Pie?
    • Tips and variations
    • How to make a Frito Pie Casserole
      • How to make homemade corn chips
      • How to make turkey chili
    • More one-skillet recipes
    Closeup of bite on fork over bowl.

    What is Baked Frito Pie?

    Frito Pie has been around for years. Its popularity began in the Southwestern and Midwestern states where they started tossing some chili in a Frito bag for an eat-on-the-go lunch or snack. It is usually comprised of a chili base topped with cheese and corn chips. Of course, it is now popular for a quick dinner, made in one skillet, then topped with any number of tasty additions. Some of my favorite toppings for this more Italian-leaning Turkey Frito Pie include chopped tomatoes, shredded lettuce, basil, and parsley. 

    Closeup of dishing out serving with stretchy cheese.

    Since the new year began, I've been working on making some of my favorite comfort foods a little healthier. I think this Healthier Baked Frito Pie might even be better than the original! And sneaking in some riced cauliflower, which no one will notice, is a great way to get a few veggies into dinner. I won't tell, if you don't! Check out some of the easy changes I made below.

    Tips and variations

    • Using ground turkey or turkey sausage in lieu of ground beef makes this a leaner protein meal.
    • Swapping out name-brand corn chips for homemade means you can control the level of salt while the baking cuts down on the fat.
    • Adding cauliflower sneaks in some vegetables and no one will be able to tell.
    • For use as a dip, leave off the corn chips and bake. Make the corn chips a little larger and use them to scoop out the incredibly delicious chili.
    • For a less spicy alternative to chili sauce, use ketchup. You can also add Asian Garlic Chili Sauce or Sriracha Chili Sauce (but, be warned, they are very spicy).

    How to make a Frito Pie Casserole

    Ingredients for Turkey Frito Pie on white table.

    Gather the simple ingredients - Prego® Traditional Italian Sauce, ground turkey, riced cauliflower, cheese, onions and peppers, corn tortillas and chili sauce.

    How to make homemade corn chips

    Preparing corn tortillas for baking.
    1. Spray both sides of corn tortillas with vegetable oil or olive oil nonstick spray.
    2. Slice tortillas into one-inch-wide strips. I like to use a pizza cutter but you can use a sharp knife as well.
    Tortilla strips coated with oil cut and spread out on cookie sheet.
    1. Spread corn strips out on two cookie sheets, trying not to overlap.
    Adding a coating of salt to baked corn chips.
    1. Bake until crispy then sprinkle with salt. This baking method eliminates many of the calories from deep-fried corn chips.

    How to make turkey chili

    Prep steps for Baked Frito Pie Steps 1-4.
    1. Place a little olive oil in a large skillet and brown ground turkey. I used a turkey sausage which went great with the Italian sauce flavors.
    2. When sausage is partially cooked, add onions, peppers and garlic.
    3. Cook until sausage is done and vegetables are tender.
    4. Combine Prego® Italian Sauce with chili sauce and pour into cooked mixture. Stir well.
    Finishing prep steps 5-8 for easy Frito Pie.
    1. Top chili mixture with homemade corn chips.
    2. Sprinkle grated cheese on top of chips. (As an alternative, you can also sprinkle the cheese on the chili mixture then top with chips.)
    3. Ready to bake.
    4. Bake until you see deliciously melted and browned cheese. I like to add the cheese last so that the corn chips do not get overdone. Plus the cheese-covered chips are delicious!
    Prego Traditional Sauce with serving bowl of turkey chili and full skillet in background.

    When you need to get dinner on the table, nothing beats this 30 minute Frito Pie Casserole. But that's not all this yummy chili offers! Make it into a dip for the big game by leaving off the corn chips. Just sprinkle the cheese on the chili and bake as directed. Then serve with tortilla chips for a spicy, warm appetizer everyone will love. Enjoy!

    More one-skillet recipes

    Garlic Chicken with Orzo is a one-skillet dinner combining moist chicken with garlic, onion, tomatoes, spinach and orzo for a balanced meal with little cleanup.

    Beef Shepherd’s Pie is an all-in-one hearty dinner complete with vegetables, ground beef and potatoes in a rich gravy.

    Italian Sausage Tortellini Skillet combines Italian sausage with tortellini and spinach in a creamy tomato base. Dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes.

    Overhead of One Skillet Turkey Chili Pie with Prego sauce.

    Healthier Turkey Frito Pie

    This healthier Turkey Frito Pie is a spicy, tomato-based turkey sausage chili with loads of cheese and homemade salty corn chips. A one skillet dinner that is quick to pull together and makes the perfect, easy weeknight dinner or a dip for the big game.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 459kcal
    Author: Linda Warren

    Ingredients

    • 1 lb. turkey sausage
    • 1 cup onions roughly chopped
    • 2 cups tri-color peppers roughly chopped
    • 2-3 cloves garlic
    • 1 cup riced cauliflower
    • 24 oz Prego Traditional Marinara
    • ½ cup chili sauce
    • 3 cups homemade corn chips see instructions below
    • 1 cup mozzarella cheese
    • 1 cup cheddar cheese
    • Garnishes: chopped tomatoes chopped basil and parsley

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
    • Brown ground turkey sausage in a large oven-proof skillet.
    • When meat is about halfway done, add onions, peppers and riced cauliflower. Cook until meat is done and vegetables are tender.
    • Mix marinara and chili sauce and stir into meat mixture.
    • Immediately top with homemade corn chips.
    • Sprinkle cheeses on top.
    • Bake for 12-15 minutes or until cheese starts to brown.
    • Remove from oven and garnish with shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, chopped basil and parsley.

    Notes

    Tips & Variations
    • Using ground turkey or turkey sausage in lieu of ground beef makes this a leaner protein meal.
    • Swapping out name-brand corn chips for homemade means you can control the level of salt while the baking cuts down on the fat.
    • Adding cauliflower sneaks in some vegetables and no one will be able to tell.
    • For use as a dip, leave off the corn chips and bake. Make the corn chips a little larger and use them to scoop out the incredibly delicious chili.
    • For a less spicy alternative to chili sauce, use ketchup. You can also add Asian Garlic Chili Sauce or Sriracha Chili Sauce (but, be warned, they are very spicy).

    Nutrition

    Calories: 459kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 91mg | Sodium: 1609mg | Potassium: 914mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 2572IU | Vitamin C: 92mg | Calcium: 281mg | Iron: 3mg

    More Main Meal

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    • Strawberry Chicken Salad
    • Maple Brown Sugar Glazed Ham
    • Beef and Mushroom Stew

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    Hey, I’m Linda, the recipe creator, photographer and cocktail lover at 2 Cookin Mamas. Here you’ll find easy recipes that are not only delicious but can get you out of the kitchen ASAP. Come and join me and let me take you on a tasty trip through your kitchen. Thanks for stopping by! Learn more about me

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