There’s something incredibly satisfying about a dish that combines all the best parts of a cheeseburger into one easy pie. The Cheeseburger Pie Recipe brings juicy, savory beef, crispy bacon, gooey cheddar, and a fluffy, tender crust together in a way that feels like a warm hug for your taste buds. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll become a go-to for family dinners or casual get-togethers.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This cheeseburger pie is down-to-earth comfort food at its finest. I’m genuinely excited to share it because it’s easy enough for weeknights but special enough to impress company. Plus, the texture contrasts — crisp bacon, tender beef, cheesy sauce — make it a punch of flavors in every bite.
- All-in-One Meal: Combines protein, cheese, and a fluffy crust with no separate bun required.
- Quick & Easy Prep: Ready in about 35 minutes, perfect when you want something hearty but not complicated.
- Family Friendly: Everyone from kids to adults loves it; customize toppings for each preference.
- Leftovers That Reheat Well: Makes for fantastic next-day lunches without losing flavor or texture.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Cheeseburger Pie Recipe pulls its weight, creating layers of flavor that play off each other beautifully. I like to use fresh, high-quality basics because it really shines through. Here’s a quick rundown of the key players and some tips I’ve learned.
- Bacon: Provides crunch and smoky flavor; crisp it well to contrast the softer pie textures.
- Ground beef: I prefer 90% lean for a good balance of flavor and less grease, but you can adjust based on your preference.
- Onion: Adds sweetness and depth when softened with the beef.
- Cheddar cheese: Freshly shredded melts better and gives that classic cheeseburger punch.
- Baking mix (like Bisquick): Makes the crust super tender yet sturdy enough to hold everything together.
- Milk and eggs: Bind the crust and add richness.
- Seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic powder): Simple but essential to boost the savory notes.
- Toppings: Shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, pickles – bring freshness and that true burger vibe.
Make It Your Way
I love tweaking this cheeseburger pie depending on the mood or what I have on hand. It's such a flexible recipe that inviting your own spin keeps it exciting. You can easily swap out bacon for turkey bacon, or add bell peppers for a little extra crunch and color.
- Variation: Once, I swapped regular cheddar for spicy pepper jack and added jalapeños – a definite hit if you enjoy a kick of heat.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheeseburger Pie Recipe
Step 1: Crisp that bacon just right
Start by cooking the chopped bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat. Keep an eye on it and cook until it’s perfectly crisp, about 4-5 minutes. I like to remove it with a slotted spoon onto paper towels to drain. Leaving a teaspoon of bacon grease in the pan adds so much flavor to the beef without making things greasy.
Step 2: Brown the beef and soften the onions
In the same skillet with a touch of bacon fat, add your ground beef and onions. Break up the meat with a spatula and cook for 6-7 minutes until the beef is fully browned and the onions are softened. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder toward the end for the best balance. Then stir in two-thirds of the bacon—this adds crunch inside the pie.
Step 3: Assemble the layers
Transfer the meat mixture to a greased deep-dish pie pan—this is important so the batter doesn’t overflow. Next, sprinkle the cheese evenly over the top of the beef and bacon layer. The cheese melts into every nook and cranny as it bakes, which is pure magic.
Step 4: The batter that holds it all together
In a bowl, whisk together the baking mix, milk, and eggs until smooth. Pour this over the layered ingredients in the pie pan. The batter bakes up into a soft, slightly fluffy crust that’s the perfect complement to the savory filling.
Step 5: Bake and garnish
Bake your pie at 350°F for about 25 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Once out of the oven, sprinkle with the reserved bacon and add fresh toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles. Cut into wedges and serve while warm!
Top Tip
After testing this recipe several times, I’ve found a few tricks that really elevate the Cheeseburger Pie Recipe. They transform a good meal into a memorable one.
- Don’t Skip the Bacon Grease: Leaving a teaspoon of bacon fat in the pan boosts the beef’s flavor wonderfully without making it greasy.
- Use Freshly Shredded Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting – freshly shredding creates the best ooey-gooey texture.
- Choose the Right Pie Pan: I’ve learned that a deep dish 9-inch or a 10-inch pan prevents spilling since the batter has to hold a generous amount of filling.
- Don’t Overbake: Watch for the golden crust and clean knife test to keep the pie tender rather than dry.
How to Serve Cheeseburger Pie Recipe
Garnishes
For me, garnishes are not just decoration—they add freshness and texture. I love topping this pie with crisp shredded lettuce, diced ripe tomatoes, crunchy pickles, and a drizzle of ketchup or mustard. Sometimes, a dollop of mayo on the side seals the deal. These toppings recreate that classic cheeseburger feeling without the bun.
Side Dishes
I usually keep sides simple and complementary—a crisp green salad or some oven-roasted fries pairs perfectly. For a veggie boost, steamed broccoli or a tangy coleslaw bring a bright contrast to the rich pie.
Creative Ways to Present
For casual dinners, serve wedges straight from the pan. At a party, I’ve arranged mini muffin cups of this pie to make bite-sized cheeseburger pies—super fun and portable! You can also top with different cheeses or add sliced jalapeños for a little flair.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors actually meld together beautifully overnight, making it perfect for next-day lunches or quick dinners.
Freezing
This pie freezes wonderfully—I slice it into individual portions and wrap each tightly in plastic wrap, then pop them into a freezer-safe bag. They keep well for up to 2 months, and you can defrost in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Reheating
I reheat slices in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes to keep that crispy crust and melty cheese. Microwaving works too for convenience but can make the crust a bit soggy—oven reheating is my go-to for the best texture.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! You can substitute the baking mix with a gluten-free baking mix suitable for pie crusts. Just ensure the mix you choose behaves similarly when combined with milk and eggs.
Sharp cheddar is my favorite because it melts well and pairs perfectly with the beef and bacon flavors. However, you could also try a mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack for a milder taste or pepper jack for a spicy twist.
Absolutely, you can assemble the pie a few hours before baking—just cover it and refrigerate. Bake it just before serving for best texture. Leftovers can be stored and reheated as well.
Using the bacon grease in the pan helps keep moisture balanced, and baking it in a deeper pan prevents overflow. Also, avoid overbaking—once the crust is golden and a knife comes out clean, it’s ready. Letting the pie rest a few minutes before slicing helps set everything perfectly.
Final Thoughts
This Cheeseburger Pie Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s a perfect blend of comfort and creativity that’s easy to pull together. I hope you enjoy the process as much as the delicious results. Once you make it, I bet you’ll find yourself reaching for this recipe again and again—because sometimes, the best meals come in pie form!
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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
Cheeseburger Pie is a savory and hearty dish combining crispy bacon, seasoned ground beef, cheddar cheese, and a fluffy Bisquick batter, baked to golden perfection. Topped with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles, it offers a classic cheeseburger flavor in a comforting pie form perfect for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Meat and Cheese
- 6 slices bacon chopped
- 1 pound ground beef (90% lean)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Vegetables and Seasoning
- ½ cup onion finely diced
- salt and pepper to taste
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Batter
- ½ cup baking mix such as Bisquick
- 1 cup milk
- 2 eggs
Additional
- cooking spray
- assorted toppings such as shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and pickles
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. 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 to 5 minutes. Remove the bacon and drain on paper towels, reserving all but 1 teaspoon of bacon grease in the pan.
- Cook Ground Beef and Onion: Add the ground beef and diced onion to the skillet with the bacon grease. Cook for 6 to 7 minutes, breaking up the beef with a spatula until browned and cooked through.
- Season Meat: Stir in salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook for an additional 1 minute to allow the flavors to meld.
- Add Bacon: Return two-thirds of the cooked bacon to the meat mixture and stir to combine, reserving the rest for garnish.
- Assemble Pie: Transfer the meat and bacon mixture into the prepared pie pan. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
- Prepare Batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the baking mix (Bisquick), milk, and eggs until smooth. Pour the batter evenly over the meat and cheese layer in the pie pan.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes or until the pie is golden brown and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Add Toppings and Serve: Remove from oven and top with the reserved bacon and fresh burger toppings such as shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and pickles. Cut into wedges and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use 90% lean ground beef for less grease and better flavor. If using fattier meat, drain excess grease before baking.
- Use a deep dish 9 inch or a regular 10 inch pie pan to hold all the batter; smaller pans may overflow.
- Freshly grated cheddar cheese melts better and enhances flavor compared to pre-shredded cheese.
- You can customize toppings based on preference, adding pickles, ketchup or mustard if desired.
- For crisper bacon, cook it separately and add on top as a garnish for texture contrast.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (⅙ pie)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
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