There's something wonderfully comforting about this **Cheeseburger Pie Recipe** that always makes me feel right at home. It’s the perfect blend of juicy ground beef, melted cheddar, and crispy bacon all wrapped up in a warm, golden pie crust – just like a cheeseburger, but with a cozy twist that’s perfect for family dinners or casual get-togethers.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I genuinely get excited every time I make this Cheeseburger Pie Recipe because it delivers all the flavors of a classic cheeseburger but in a simple, sliceable pie form that’s so satisfying to serve. It’s a total crowd-pleaser and surprisingly easy to pull together.
- All-in-One Comfort: You get everything you love about a cheeseburger—from savory beef to melty cheese—in one delicious pie.
- Quick Prep: It’s ready in under 40 minutes, so you don’t have to mess around with complicated steps or long waits.
- Customizable Toppings: You can dress it up with your favorite burger fixings like tomatoes, lettuce, and pickles to make it your own.
- Great for Leftovers: It reheats beautifully, making it perfect for easy weekday lunches or dinners.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This Cheeseburger Pie Recipe uses classic ingredients that bring the essence of a cheeseburger right to your plate, but the way they're combined makes it so much more than just a sandwich filling. Let me tell you why each component is important and how to pick the best ones.
- Bacon: Adds irresistible crunch and smoky depth; make sure to cook it until crisp for the best texture.
- Ground beef: I always go for 90% lean so it stays juicy but not greasy—this balance is key for flavor and texture.
- Onion: Finely diced to blend nicely with the beef, giving that subtle sweetness without overpowering the pie.
- Cheddar cheese: Freshly shredded cheddar melts beautifully and offers that sharp, cheesy punch every cheeseburger needs.
- Baking mix (like Bisquick): Acts as the pie’s “crust” and custard-like binder; no rolling dough needed, which keeps things simple.
- Milk and eggs: These bring together the baking mix to create a golden, fluffy topping that’s soft but holds the pie together.
- Seasonings: Salt, pepper, and garlic powder enhance all the other flavors without stealing the spotlight.
Make It Your Way
One of the things I love about this Cheeseburger Pie Recipe is how flexible it is. I’ve played around with a few tweaks here and there depending on what I have in the fridge or how fancy I want it to be. Trust me, don’t be afraid to add your own spin!
- Variation: Sometimes I swap the cheddar cheese for a mix of cheddar and pepper jack for a little spicy kick. It’s a simple change but totally transforms the pie’s personality.
- Dietary modifications: If you want to lighten it up, you can use turkey or chicken instead of ground beef—and low-fat cheese still works fine in a pinch.
- Seasonal Changes: Add some sautéed mushrooms or bell peppers if you’ve got fresh veggies on hand to boost flavor and nutrition.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheeseburger Pie Recipe
Step 1: Crisp Up the Bacon
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing your pie pan. I usually use a deep-dish 9 inch pie pan—that one holds all the flavors perfectly without getting messy. Then, cook the chopped bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat until it’s crisp and golden, about 4-5 minutes. Drain it on paper towels to keep it crunchy and reserve some for topping the pie later.
Step 2: Brown the Beef & Onions
Remove most of the bacon grease from the pan, leaving just a teaspoon or so for flavor. Toss in your ground beef and diced onions. Break up the beef with your spatula and cook until it’s browned and the onions are soft, about 6-7 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, then cook for another minute to bring all those flavors together beautifully.
Step 3: Assemble the Pie
Mix two-thirds of the crispy bacon back into the beef mixture, then spread it evenly into your prepared pie pan. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese on top. In a separate bowl, whisk together your baking mix, milk, and eggs until smooth, then pour that over the meat and cheese—this creates the fluffy, custard-like layer that’s magic once baked.
Step 4: Bake and Garnish
Bake the pie in your preheated oven for about 25 minutes, or until the top is beautifully golden and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Pull it out, sprinkle the remaining bacon on top, and add your favorite burger toppings like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and pickles. Then slice it into wedges and dig in!
Top Tip
When I first made this Cheeseburger Pie Recipe, I worried the baking mix layer might be soggy or heavy—but whisking the eggs and milk together properly and using a deep-dish pie pan really makes a difference. Here are some tips I've learned that'll help you nail this pie every time:
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Use a deep-dish pie pan or a 10-inch regular one so the filling and batter cook evenly without spilling over.
- Precise Bacon Grease Amount: Leaving just a teaspoon of bacon grease adds richness without making the pie greasy or heavy.
- Fresh Cheese Matters: Grating your own cheese lets it melt smoother and tastes way better than pre-shredded varieties with anti-caking agents.
- Rest Before Serving: Let your pie cool for 5-10 minutes to set up and slice perfectly without falling apart.
How to Serve Cheeseburger Pie Recipe
Garnishes
I keep it classic with shredded lettuce, diced fresh tomatoes, and crunchy pickles on top — these add freshness and a bit of zing to every savory bite. Sometimes, I toss on a dollop of ketchup or mustard on the side for that authentic burger vibe.
Side Dishes
This pie pairs perfectly with crispy oven fries or a simple mixed greens salad to lighten things up. On busy nights, I love serving it alongside some steamed veggies or coleslaw to keep dinner balanced but hearty.
Creative Ways to Present
For game day or parties, I’ve served this Cheeseburger Pie Recipe in mini cast-iron skillets or muffin tins as bite-sized sliders—people loved the handheld format! You could also top it with avocado slices or crispy onions for a fancier touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers store beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I recommend letting the pie cool completely before covering it so the crust stays firm and doesn’t get soggy from steam.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this pie a couple of times with great results. Just wrap it tightly with foil and plastic wrap and pop it in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, I preheat my oven to 350°F and warm slices on a baking sheet for about 10-15 minutes so they crisp back up instead of microwaving, which can make the crust rubbery or soggy.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! While cheddar is classic, you can use mozzarella, pepper jack, or even a cheese blend to suit your taste. Just make sure it melts well.
A deep-dish 9-inch pie pan is ideal because it holds all the filling and batter without spilling. A regular 10-inch pie pan works too, but avoid standard 9-inch pans as they’re too small for this recipe.
Definitely! You can prepare the beef mixture the day before, keep it refrigerated, assemble and bake just before serving. This cuts down on active cooking time when guests arrive.
Yes, it’s a big hit with kids! The flavors are familiar and mild, and the pie format makes it easy for little hands to enjoy without mess. Just customize toppings accordingly.
Final Thoughts
This Cheeseburger Pie Recipe has become one of those comforting staples in my kitchen that I keep coming back to. It’s straightforward, comforting, and endlessly adaptable — plus, it delivers big on flavor and nostalgia. I really hope you try it soon and make it your own little tradition, just like I did. Trust me, your kitchen will smell amazing, and your family will be asking for seconds!
Print
Cheeseburger Pie Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Cheeseburger Pie is a savory, hearty dish featuring a flavorful ground beef and bacon filling topped with melted cheddar cheese and a tender batter crust. Perfect for a comforting main course, it combines all the best elements of a cheeseburger in a convenient, sliceable pie.
Ingredients
Meat and Vegetables
- 6 slices bacon chopped
- 1 pound ground beef (90% lean)
- ½ cup onion finely diced
Seasonings and Toppings
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Assorted toppings such as shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and pickles
Cheese and Batter
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup baking mix such as Bisquick
- 1 cup milk
- 2 eggs
Other
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and coat a 9 inch deep dish pie pan or regular 10 inch pie pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook Bacon: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook until crisp, about 4-5 minutes. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels, reserving 1 teaspoon bacon grease in the skillet.
- Sauté Beef and Onion: Add the ground beef and diced onion to the skillet with the reserved bacon grease. Cook 6-7 minutes, breaking up the beef with a spatula, until browned and cooked through.
- Season Meat: Stir in salt, pepper, and garlic powder, cooking for an additional minute to blend flavors.
- Add Bacon to Meat Mixture: Return two-thirds of the cooked bacon to the skillet and mix well, reserving the rest for garnish.
- Assemble Pie: Transfer the meat and bacon mixture into the prepared pie pan, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
- Prepare Batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the baking mix, milk, and eggs until smooth and combined.
- Pour Batter Over Meat and Cheese: Carefully pour the batter mixture over the meat and cheese in the pie pan, spreading evenly if necessary.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes or until the top is golden brown and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Add Toppings and Serve: Remove from oven and top the pie with the remaining bacon and your choice of burger toppings such as shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and pickles. Cut into wedges and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use 90% lean ground beef for good flavor with less grease; if using higher fat content beef, drain excess grease after cooking.
- Best results come from using a deep dish 9 inch or regular 10 inch pie pan to accommodate the batter and filling fully.
- Freshly grated cheddar cheese melts better and provides superior flavor compared to pre-shredded varieties.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (⅙ pie)
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg
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