Pioneer Woman Cheeseburger Pie

I stumbled onto this recipe during one of those crazy busy weeks when everyone wanted something different for dinner. My husband was craving a burger, the kids wanted something easy to eat, and I needed something that wouldn't dirty every pan in the kitchen. This pie somehow checks all those boxes, it's got all the flavors of a good cheeseburger but bakes up in one dish with hardly any fuss. The first time I served this, my mother-in-law was visiting and she kept asking what was in it because it reminded her of something from her childhood. Turns out her mom used to make something similar during the Depression when they had to stretch ingredients. Now she calls me every few months asking if I'm planning to make "that wonderful pie thing" when she comes to visit.

What Goes In It

• Good ground beef: I use the regular 80/20 stuff, nothing fancy needed here
• One big onion: Yellow ones work fine, sweet onions are even better if you have them
• Sharp cheddar: The block cheese you shred yourself melts way better than the bags
• Bisquick mix: This is what makes it so easy, but you can make your own if you want
• Milk and eggs: Regular whole milk works best, don't go low-fat on this one

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How I Make It

Get your oven going:

Heat it up to 400 and grease a regular pie pan. I use butter because it tastes better than cooking spray.

Cook the filling:

Chop up that onion and cook it in a big skillet until it's soft. Add the ground beef and cook it until it's all brown. Drain off most of the grease but leave a little for flavor.

Season it right:

Add salt, pepper, and some garlic powder. Don't be shy with the seasoning, this is what makes it taste like a real burger.

Layer everything:

Put the meat mixture in your greased pie pan and spread it around evenly. Sprinkle all that cheese on top.

Make the batter:

Whisk together the Bisquick, milk, and eggs until it's smooth. Pour this right over the meat and cheese.

Bake it up:

Stick it in the oven for about 25 minutes until the top is golden brown and doesn't jiggle when you shake the pan gently.

I used to overthink this recipe and try to make it fancier, but honestly it's perfect just the way it is. The simplicity is what makes it work so well. My neighbor borrowed the recipe and tried to jazz it up with all kinds of extra seasonings and vegetables, then called to ask why hers didn't taste as good as mine. Sometimes simple really is better.

What to Serve With It

This is pretty rich on its own, so I usually just make a basic salad to go with it. The kids like it with ketchup, which makes sense since it tastes like a cheeseburger. Sometimes I'll cut up some pickles to serve on the side for that authentic burger experience.

Change It Up

Want to make it different? Try adding some bacon bits to the meat mixture, or use different cheese. I've made it with pepper jack when my brother visits because he likes everything spicy. You could probably add mushrooms or other vegetables too, but honestly it's pretty perfect as written.

Leftovers Work Great

This keeps in the fridge for a few days and reheats really well. Just pop a slice in the microwave for about a minute. My husband actually likes it cold for breakfast sometimes, which I think is weird but whatever makes him happy.

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This has become one of those recipes I can make without even thinking about it, which is exactly what you need on busy weeknights. It tastes like comfort food but doesn't require any special skills or hard-to-find ingredients. Plus there's something really satisfying about how it all comes together in the oven, like magic, but the kind of magic that actually works every time.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How does this pie make its own crust?

The batter sinks to the bottom during baking and forms a crust while also rising up the sides of the pan. It's like magic!

→ Can I use a different type of cheese?

Yes, try mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or a cheese blend. Cheddar gives the most classic cheeseburger flavor though.

→ What can I serve with this pie?

Classic burger sides work great - pickles, ketchup, mustard, coleslaw, or a simple green salad with ranch dressing.

→ Can I make this ahead of time?

You can assemble it a few hours ahead and refrigerate, then bake when ready. It also reheats well for leftovers.

→ What if I don't have Bisquick mix?

Mix together 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt as a substitute. Works just as well!