Cheesy Burrito Pie Recipe
If you’re on the hunt for a family-friendly crowd-pleaser, look no further than Cheesy Burrito Pie. Imagine layers of seasoned beef, black beans, sweet corn, and melty cheese, all sandwiched between pillowy tortillas and crowned with bubbling, golden cheese. This dish is pure comfort food with a playful twist, blending the flavors of classic burritos into a sliceable, oven-baked pie. Whether you’re feeding a hungry crew or prepping dinner in advance, Cheesy Burrito Pie is your answer to an easy, satisfying, and delightfully cheesy meal.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Cheesy Burrito Pie is in its straightforward yet flavor-packed ingredients. Each component brings something unique—whether it’s hearty texture, vibrant color, or zesty spice—to make this dish absolutely irresistible.
- Olive oil: Adds a silky base for sautéing and deepens the flavors right from the start.
- Ground beef: Provides meaty richness that anchors every bite; you can substitute turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Onion: Diced for a subtle sweetness that mellows as it cooks and seasons the meat.
- Garlic: Freshly minced for an aromatic boost that perks up the savory filling.
- Taco seasoning: The magic mix that delivers familiar, crave-worthy Tex-Mex flair. Go homemade or use your favorite packet.
- Water: Helps bind the seasoning to the beef and forms a savory sauce for the filling.
- Black beans: Add heartiness and fiber, turning the pie from just delicious to deeply satisfying.
- Frozen corn: Pops of natural sweetness and color; no need to thaw before adding.
- Diced tomatoes with green chilies: Bring juicy acidity and a gentle kick; drain well for the perfect texture.
- Diced green chilies (optional): Toss these in for extra zest and heat if you like things spicy.
- Flour tortillas: The edible layers that hold everything together; look for soft, large ones for the best results.
- Shredded Mexican blend cheese: The melty, stretchy goodness that makes this Cheesy Burrito Pie so unforgettable.
- Salsa: Spread on top for tangy flavor and vibrant finish before the final cheese layer.
- Sour cream: A must-have for creamy coolness at serving time.
- Cilantro and sliced green onions: Fresh, bright garnishes that contrast beautifully with the hot, cheesy layers.
How to Make Cheesy Burrito Pie
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Dish and Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F, giving you time to pull out and prep all your ingredients. Lightly grease a 9-inch deep-dish pie pan or a 9×9 baking dish so the Cheesy Burrito Pie slices come out easily. Have your tortillas and cheese ready, and drain your beans and tomatoes so your layers don’t get soggy.
Step 2: Brown the Beef and Sauté Aromatics
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion. As these sizzle away, break up the meat and stir, cooking until the beef is browned and the onions are soft, about 6 to 7 minutes. Toss in the garlic and cook for a minute more, filling your kitchen with fantastic aromas.
Step 3: Season and Build the Filling
Sprinkle your taco seasoning over the beef mixture and pour in the water. Let everything simmer for about 2 minutes, allowing the spices to soak in. Stir in the black beans, frozen corn, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and extra green chilies if you want a fiery touch. Remove from heat—the filling should be hearty, colorful, and slightly saucy.
Step 4: Layer the Cheesy Burrito Pie
Place one flour tortilla at the bottom of your prepared baking dish. Spoon a generous layer of the beef mixture over the tortilla, then follow up with a sprinkle of cheese. Repeat the layers (tortilla, beef mixture, cheese) until you’ve used all the tortillas and filling. Finish with the last tortilla, a spread of salsa, and the remaining cheese to ensure the final layer bubbles up golden and irresistible.
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Cover the dish loosely with foil (to keep all that cheese from browning too soon) and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake another 10 minutes, until the cheese is gorgeously bubbly and tinged with gold. Allow the Cheesy Burrito Pie to rest for about 5 minutes before slicing; this helps the layers set and makes for picture-perfect wedges every time.
How to Serve Cheesy Burrito Pie
Garnishes
Nothing brings a Cheesy Burrito Pie to life like the right garnishes. Dollop each serving with cool, creamy sour cream, then sprinkle on bright green onions and plenty of fresh cilantro. The contrast between the warm, gooey pie and the cool, fresh toppings is simply divine.
Side Dishes
This Cheesy Burrito Pie pairs beautifully with simple sides. Try a crisp green salad with lime vinaigrette, a bowl of tortilla chips and guacamole, or a zesty Mexican street corn salad. If you want to keep things extra cozy, serve it alongside a bowl of savory black bean soup or a scoop of Spanish rice.
Creative Ways to Present
For casual family dinners, serve straight from the baking dish, letting everyone scoop their desired slice. But, if you want to elevate things, cut the Cheesy Burrito Pie into perfect wedges and arrange them on a platter, each one topped with a flourish of colorful garnishes. Individual ramekins or mini springform pans also make adorable, personal burrito pies for parties or meal prep!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Cheesy Burrito Pie holds up wonderfully in the fridge for up to four days. Just cover the baking dish tightly with foil or transfer slices to an airtight container. The flavors meld and deepen as it sits, making for some pretty spectacular leftovers when you’re hungry in a hurry.
Freezing
To freeze, either tightly wrap the cooled entire pie or individual portions in both plastic wrap and foil. Label with the date, and you’ll have a homey, homemade meal ready to reheat up to three months later. Let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for best results.
Reheating
For best texture, cover slices or the whole pie with foil and warm in a 350°F oven until heated through and the cheese is nice and melty again. For a quick lunch, you can microwave individual pieces; just add a splash of water and cover with a damp paper towel to keep things moist.
FAQs
Can I make Cheesy Burrito Pie ahead of time?
Absolutely! Assemble the pie up to a day ahead, cover, and refrigerate. When ready to bake, simply pop it in the oven. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the bake time if starting from cold.
What’s the best way to prevent soggy layers?
Make sure to drain your beans and tomatoes thoroughly before adding them. Letting your filling simmer until most of the liquid evaporates also helps keep the bottom layers sturdy.
Can I make Cheesy Burrito Pie vegetarian?
Definitely! Substitute the ground beef with your favorite meatless crumble, or amp up the beans and corn. It’s hearty and satisfying even without the meat—just don’t skimp on the cheese!
Is this recipe spicy?
Cheesy Burrito Pie has a gentle kick from the tomatoes with green chilies and taco seasoning, but it’s generally mild. If you love extra heat, toss in jalapeños or use hot taco seasoning for more fire.
Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas?
Corn tortillas bring a different flavor and chewy texture to the dish, although they tend to be smaller and less pliable. If you try this swap, you may need several more to cover each layer and might want to slightly warm them first so they don’t crack when layering.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about slicing into a piping hot Cheesy Burrito Pie and watching the cheese stretch with every forkful. Bursting with color, flavor, and fun, this dish is a guaranteed hit for busy weeknights, potlucks, or anytime you’re craving pure comfort. Give it a try—you just might find your new favorite go-to recipe!
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Cheesy Burrito Pie Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Cheesy Burrito Pie is a delicious and easy-to-make layered casserole that combines all the flavors of a classic burrito in pie form. Packed with seasoned ground beef, beans, corn, and cheese, this comforting dish is perfect for a family dinner or a casual gathering.
Ingredients
For the Beef Mixture:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet taco seasoning or 3 tablespoons homemade
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
- 1 can (4 ounces) diced green chilies (optional)
For Assembly:
- 5 large flour tortillas
- 3 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup salsa
- Sour cream, cilantro, and sliced green onions for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9-inch deep-dish pie pan or 9×9 baking dish.
- Cook the Beef: In a skillet, cook ground beef and onion until browned. Add garlic, taco seasoning, and water. Simmer for 2 minutes. Stir in beans, corn, tomatoes, and green chilies.
- Assemble the Pie: Layer tortillas, beef mixture, and cheese in the prepared dish. Top with salsa and remaining cheese.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 10 more minutes until cheese is bubbly.
- Serve: Let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with sour cream, cilantro, and green onions.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef.
- For extra heat, add jalapeños or use hot taco seasoning.
- This dish reheats well and makes a great freezer meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
