Crustless cheeseburger pie turns the flavors of a cheeseburger into a baked, sliceable dinner with no pastry at all. Seasoned ground beef, melted cheddar, and a simple egg batter bake into a golden pie that is filling and low fuss.
A light batter of eggs, milk, and flour sets around the beef and cheese, so each slice holds together. Serve it with pickles, mustard, and a little ketchup for the full burger feel.
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Why This Crustless Cheeseburger Pie Recipe Works
Skipping the crust keeps the work simple and puts the beef and cheese in the spotlight. The batter bakes into a tender, quiche like base that holds a clean slice.
Onion and garlic cooked with the beef bring the savory flavor of a grilled burger. Mustard in the batter adds a gentle tang.
Cheddar melts through the whole pie and browns on top. The pie works for dinner, packs well for lunch, and is easy to double.
Ingredients for Crustless Cheeseburger Pie
- Pie filling: one pound ground beef, one chopped onion, one garlic clove, one teaspoon salt, and half a teaspoon pepper.
- Batter and cheese: two eggs, one cup milk, half a cup all purpose flour, one teaspoon baking powder, and one and a half cups shredded cheddar.
Ground beef. Brown it until no pink remains and drain the fat so the pie bakes up firm instead of greasy.
Shredded cheddar. Sharp cheddar gives the strongest cheeseburger flavor, and half goes inside while half browns on top.
Eggs and milk. They set into a soft custard that binds the filling.
All purpose flour. A small amount gives the pie body so slices hold their shape.
Baking powder. It lifts the batter slightly so the pie is tender, not dense.
How to Make Crustless Cheeseburger Pie
1. Heat the oven. Heat the oven to 400 degrees F and grease a nine inch pie dish.
2. Brown the beef. Cook the beef, onion, and garlic in a skillet over medium heat until no pink remains and the beef reaches 160 F, then drain the fat and season with salt and pepper.
3. Mix the batter. Whisk the eggs, milk, flour, and baking powder in a bowl until smooth.
4. Assemble. Spread the beef in the dish, sprinkle with half of the cheddar, pour the batter over the top, and finish with the remaining cheese.
5. Bake and rest. Bake for thirty to thirty five minutes until the pie is puffed, golden, and set in the center, then rest for ten minutes.
How to Serve Crustless Cheeseburger Pie
Serve wedges with dill pickles, mustard, and a crisp salad to echo the burger theme. It makes a fine partner for a ground beef cheese steak casserole on a buffet table. For filling bowls, add Cincinnati style chili, and for an appetizer try a reuben crescent bake or cheddar sausage balls.
How to Store and Reheat Crustless Cheeseburger Pie
Cool the pie, cover it, and refrigerate for three to four days. Reheat slices in the oven at 350 degrees F or in the microwave until they reach 165 F. Freeze wrapped slices for up to two months and thaw them overnight in the refrigerator. Leftover slices also pack well for lunch, and they taste good cold with a little mustard and a few pickle slices on the side.
Tips and Variations for Crustless Cheeseburger Pie
Flag the allergens. The pie contains milk, egg, and wheat, and some mustard and seasonings contain other allergens, so check the labels.
Do not taste the raw batter. Raw egg and flour can carry bacteria, so bake the pie until it reaches 160 F in the center before tasting.
Drain the beef well. Excess grease makes the pie watery and keeps it from setting.
Check the center. A knife inserted in the middle should come out clean.
Add toppings. Sliced tomato and pickles on top after baking add freshness.
Use a deep dish. A deep pie dish prevents the batter from overflowing.
Spice it up. Diced jalapeno or a pinch of cayenne gives the pie some heat.
Check trusted guidance. For safe ground beef temperatures and leftovers, read the University of Wisconsin Extension leftovers guidance before storing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Crustless Cheeseburger Pie
What is crustless cheeseburger pie?
It is a baked pie of seasoned ground beef, cheese, and egg batter made without any pastry crust.
Can I make crustless cheeseburger pie ahead of time?
Yes. Bake it a day ahead and reheat slices in the oven, or cook the beef in advance and bake fresh.
Can I freeze crustless cheeseburger pie?
Yes. Wrap cooled slices tightly and freeze for up to two months, then reheat until steaming.
Can I use ground turkey?
Yes, cook it to 165 F and add a little extra seasoning since turkey is milder.
Why is my pie watery?
The beef was not drained well enough, or the pie needs a few more minutes to set.
Crustless Cheeseburger Pie
Equipment
- 9-inch pie dish
- Skillet
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 2 cup shredded cheddar cheese divided
Instructions
Cooking
- Brown. Cook the beef, onion, and garlic to 160 F, drain, and season.
- Mix. Whisk the eggs, milk, flour, and baking powder until smooth.
- Assemble. Layer the beef and half the cheddar in a greased 9 inch dish, add the batter, and top with the rest.
- Bake. Bake at 400 F for 30 to 35 minutes until set, then rest 10 minutes.
