Pioneer Woman Cheeseburger Pie

Pioneer Woman cheeseburger pie turns ground beef, onion and sharp cheddar into a golden, fluffy buttermilk-battered casserole in 40 minutes. This easy one-pan cheeseburger casserole dinner idea fits busy weeknight meals, kid-friendly birthday parties and Father's Day.

Cook the beef until it's browned and crumbly, then let the Worcestershire sauce absorb fully before it goes in the pie plate. Skip that and the filling stays loose and greasy, so the batter can't set around it.

Making the batter from flour, baking powder and melted butter means you never need a box of baking mix. Whole buttermilk at room temperature also keeps it light and fluffy, so it bakes up like a golden quiche around the burger filling.

Pioneer Woman Cheeseburger Pie

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Course: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

6

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

30

minutes

Calories

422

kcal

A savory beef and onion base sits under a fluffy buttermilk batter, finished with a blanket of cheddar. Once it bakes, the top turns golden and the center sets firm enough to slice like a pie.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp. olive oil
  

• 1 lb. lean ground beef
  

• 1/2 c. chopped yellow onion
  

• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
  

• 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
  

• Nonstick cooking spray
  

• 2 large eggs
  

• 1 c. whole buttermilk, at room temperature
  

• 1 tbsp. salted butter, melted
  

• 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
  

• 1 tsp. baking powder
  

• 1 c. shredded cheddar cheese
  

• Pickle slices, for serving (optional)
  

• Ketchup, for serving (optional)
  

• Burger sauce, for serving (optional)
  

Directions

• Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F. That way it's fully hot by the time the filling is ready.
• Brown the beef: Heat a large skillet over medium heat, then add 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 pound lean ground beef, 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Cook, stirring now and then, for 8 to 10 minutes until the meat is browned and crumbly and the onions are soft.
• Add the Worcestershire: Drain any excess fat from the pan if you like. Then stir in 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce and cook for about 2 minutes more until it's absorbed.
• Fill the pie plate: Spray a 9-inch pie plate with nonstick cooking spray. Then spread the meat mixture evenly across the bottom.
• Whisk the batter: Whisk 2 large eggs, 1 cup room temperature whole buttermilk and 1 tablespoon melted salted butter in a medium bowl until smooth. Add 1/2 cup all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon baking powder, then whisk again until no lumps remain.
• Pour and top: Pour the batter evenly over the meat in the pie plate. Then sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese all over the top.
• Bake the pie: Bake for about 25 minutes. It's ready when the top is browned and the center is set.
• Slice and serve: Cut the pie into slices and serve them warm. Set out pickle slices, ketchup and burger sauce so everyone can top their own.

Tools for this recipe

• Pyrex 9.5-inch glass pie plate, Pyrex 3-piece glass mixing bowl set, OXO 11-inch balloon whisk, Diamond Crystal kosher salt, 3 lb. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

FAQs

Can I make this with ground turkey instead of beef?

Yes, 1 pound of ground turkey or ground bison works in the same amounts. Turkey is leaner, so add the full tablespoon of olive oil to keep the filling from drying out.

Can I assemble cheeseburger pie ahead of time?

You can cook the beef and onion filling a day ahead and keep it covered in the fridge. Whisk the batter right before baking, since the baking powder starts working once it's wet.

Do I have to use a pie plate?

A 9-inch pie plate is what the batter is sized for, but an 8x8 baking dish also works. The pie may bake a few minutes longer, so wait until the center is firm and the top is golden.

What's the biggest mistake people make with burger pie?

Leaving too much grease in the beef is the most common one, because it pools under the batter and keeps the bottom from setting. Drain the pan if your beef is fattier, then add the Worcestershire.

What goes well with cheeseburger pie?

A crisp green salad balances the rich, cheesy slices nicely. French fries are the other classic pairing, since they turn the whole plate into a full cheeseburger dinner.