One breezy fall evening, I was in my mom’s kitchen that sweet little corner of the house that always smelled like onions and love. She had this worn-out Pyrex dish and a recipe she’d clipped from a magazine ages ago. It was something called “Cheeseburger Pie.”
She’d smile and say, “It’s not fancy, but it fills everyone up.”
And that was it golden beef, melted cheese, a biscuit-like crust hugging it all like a warm blanket. Grandpa would always ask for seconds, and little did I know I’d grow up recreating it for my own family… with a few little twists of my own.
A Cozy Casserole Classic
This Pioneer Woman–inspired Cheeseburger Pie is pure comfort in a dish think juicy seasoned ground beef layered with sharp cheddar and hugged by a golden, fluffy Bisquick-style topping. It’s quick, uses pantry staples, and works beautifully for busy weeknights, Sunday suppers, or potlucks.
Ingredients
For the beef layer:
- 1 lb ground beef (can swap with ground turkey or plant-based crumble)
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tsp yellow mustard (optional, but adds that cheeseburger flair)
For the cheesy topping:
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
For the crust:
- ½ cup Bisquick or any all-purpose baking mix
- 1 cup milk
- 2 eggs
Optional add-ins: diced pickles, chopped tomatoes, sprinkle of sesame seeds
How to Make It
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9-inch pie dish or deep skillet.
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with diced onion until the meat is no longer pink. Drain excess grease. Stir in garlic, salt, pepper, Worcestershire, ketchup, and mustard. Cook for another 2 minutes.
- Pour the beef mixture evenly into your prepared pie dish. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together Bisquick, milk, and eggs until smooth. Carefully pour over the beef and cheese layer.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let it cool for 5 minutes before slicing.
Pro Tips for Best Results
- Don’t skip the mustard it makes it taste like a real cheeseburger!
- Dice up some pickles and layer them under the cheese for a fun twist.
- Add sesame seeds on top before baking for that burger bun feeling.
Recipe Variations
- Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free baking mix like Bob’s Red Mill.
- Low Carb: Skip the crust and use a mix of eggs and cream.
- Kid-Friendly: Let kids top their slice with ketchup or sliced cherry tomatoes.
Serving Ideas
I love serving this with a fresh green salad, roasted potato wedges, and a cold pickle spear on the side. On movie nights, we even drizzle a bit of ketchup and mustard on top!
Make Ahead & Storage
- Make Ahead: Cook the beef ahead and store in the fridge. Assemble and bake later.
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: Wrap well and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and reheat at 350°F.
Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Absolutely just add a touch more Worcestershire for richness.
Do I need Bisquick?
Nope! You can use any all-purpose baking mix or make your own.
Can I add bacon?
Yes! Crumbled crispy bacon takes it to the next level — stir into the beef or sprinkle on top.
Conclusion
This recipe always brings me back to my childhood kitchen. I hope it brings comfort to yours too. Try it, and let me know how it turned out
Pioneer Woman Cheeseburger Pie
Equipment
- Skillet
- 9-inch pie dish
- Mixing Bowl
- Oven
Ingredients
Filling
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 0.5 cup chopped yellow onion
- 0.5 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Batter
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup whole buttermilk room temperature
- 1 tbsp salted butter melted
- 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Optional Toppings
- pickle slices optional
- ketchup optional
- burger sauce optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a skillet over medium heat, add olive oil, ground beef, chopped onion, and salt. Cook until beef is browned and onion is soft, about 8–10 minutes. Drain excess fat and stir in Worcestershire sauce. Cook 2 more minutes.
- Spray a 9-inch pie plate with nonstick spray. Spread the beef mixture evenly into the dish.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk eggs, buttermilk, and melted butter. Add flour and baking powder and whisk until combined.
- Pour the batter over the beef in the pie plate. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar evenly on top.
- Bake for 25 minutes, or until golden brown and set in the center.
- Serve warm with optional toppings like pickles, ketchup, or burger sauce.