Step-by-Step Instructions
Preheat and Prep
Oven: Contextualizing the instructions to be performed in an oven.
Prep the Pie Dish: Lightly grease a 9-inch pie dish, to keep the pie from sticking and to make cleanup easier.
Cook the Beef
Brown the Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, breaking, as it cooks, with a spoon so that the meat browns evenly.
Chop and Mix the Aromatics and Seasonings: Add your chopped onion; and 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Sauté for 5-7 minutes or until the onion is soft, translucent, and the beef is fully cooked.
Drain grease: Tip out excess grease from the pan so the pie isn’t greasy.
Assemble the Pie
Beef Layer: In the greased pie dish, spread the ground beef and onion mixture into an even layer on the bottom.
Sprinkle cheese over top: Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over beef layer. The cheese will ooze into a gooey center during the baking of the pie.
Prepare the Pie Filling
To Make the Filling: In a mixing bowl, whisk together 1 cup milk and 1/2 cup flour, 2 large eggs and 1/2 tsp baking powder until completely smooth. This batter will be the pie’s “crust.”
Add the Filling: Slowly pour the batter over the beef and cheese layers, covering well.
Bake
Baking the Pie: Slide the pie into the hot oven, and bake 25 to 30 minutes, until the top is golden brown and filling is set. To test for doneness, poke a toothpick into the middle; it should come out clean.
Cool and Serve
Cool Slightly: Allow pie to cool for a few minutes to let filling set up a bit to make for easier slicing.
To serve and customize: Serve warm slices with chopped tomatoes, shredded lettuce, pickles, ketchup and mustard, as you wish. Those toppings add fresh, crunchy contrasts to the savory pie, allowing for a diverging of flavors.
Serving Suggestions:
This Cheeseburger Pie goes great with traditional sides like:
French Fries: Keep it diner-style with side of crispy fries.
Simple Salad: A bright green salad cuts the richness.
Baked Beans: Or if you like your grill with a touch of sweetness, have some baked beans.
Coleslaw: Creamy coleslaw adds a nice crunch and coolness to the dish.
Storage and Reheating Tips:
And this pie keeps well and is great leftovers!Here’s how to store it and reheat it:
Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days.
Freeze: And you can freeze it for 3 months. Individually wrap each piece in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container, to reheat.
To Reheat: Microwave slices for 1 to 2 minutes, or put in a 350-degree oven for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until warmed throughout.
Recipe Variations:
Cheeseburger Pie is so easy to make! Some tasty options to road test:
Bacon Cheeseburger Pie: For a smoky savory number, sprinkle 4 to 6 pieces of cooked, crumbled bacon on top of the beef layer.
Southwest Style: Add in diced green chilies or jalapeños, and use pepper jack cheese for a little spicy kick.
For vegetarian, go ahead and replace the ground beef with your favorite meat substitute and add some extra veggies — mushrooms, bell peppers or zucchini all do nicely!
If you’re in the mood for Italian flavors, use one cup of mozzarella in place of one cup of cheddar, a sprinkle of Italian seasoning, and stir in a handful of fresh spinach (very roughly chopped) into the meat mixture.
Double Cheese Delight: Stack on slices of various cheeses, like mozzarella or Monterey Jack, alongside the cheddar for a richer, cheesier pie.
Conclusion:
This cheeseburger pie inspired by The Pioneer Woman is comfort food at its best—an all-too-easy way to get a cheeseburger fix in pie form! And be sure to play around with the optional toppings and variations to make it your own. This is one of those recipes you’ll want in your back pocket for busy weeknights and family get-togethers.
