Perfect for cheeseburger lovers, this savory Cheeseburger Pie is comforting, filling, and incredibly delicious – a true family favorite!
Hearty & Easy Cheeseburger Pie: Your New Weeknight Dinner Hero
For anyone who values a quick, easy, and undeniably delicious meal, this Cheeseburger Pie recipe is an absolute game-changer. It takes all the beloved flavors of a classic cheeseburger and transforms them into a hearty, comforting pie that’s perfect for any weeknight dinner. Imagine a flaky crust filled with seasoned ground beef and onion, a creamy cottage cheese and egg mixture, topped with fresh tomatoes and gooey melted cheddar cheese. This is more than just a meal; it’s a hug in a pie plate.
If you’re a regular follower of my culinary adventures, you know my passion for uncomplicated yet satisfying dishes. So, when I first discovered Jennifer Chandler’s brilliant cookbook, Simply Suppers, I was instantly captivated. Her philosophy, beautifully encapsulated in the introduction, resonated deeply with my own approach to cooking:
“Good food isn’t about being gourmet…it’s about being delicious.”
This motto truly embodies the spirit of home cooking – focusing on flavor and enjoyment rather than unnecessary complexity. It’s a philosophy that has certainly become a guiding principle in my kitchen, and it’s why recipes like this easy Cheeseburger Pie fit so perfectly into my repertoire of go-to meals.
A Deep Dive into Simply Suppers by Jennifer Chandler
Jennifer Chandler’s Simply Suppers isn’t just a collection of recipes; it’s a practical guide for making delicious food accessible to everyone, regardless of their cooking skill level or busy schedule. The book is thoughtfully organized to cater to various meal planning needs, making it an invaluable resource for modern households.
The cookbook boasts an impressive array of features, including a dedicated section for 30-minute meals, perfect for those hectic weeknights when time is of the essence. There are also ingenious “leftover chicken makeovers,” providing creative solutions to transform remnants into exciting new dishes, minimizing waste and maximizing flavor. Furthermore, the inclusion of 20 freezer-friendly meals is a godsend for meal preppers and anyone looking to stock their freezer with convenient, homemade options. Beyond the recipes, Jennifer also provides a comprehensive list of essentials for a well-stocked kitchen, empowering home cooks to feel confident and prepared for any culinary endeavor.
Effortless Cooking: Difficulty and Ingredient Accessibility
One of the standout features of Simply Suppers, and a key reason why I highly recommend it, is the sheer simplicity of its recipes. There’s absolutely nothing intimidating or overly “gourmet” about them. Each dish is crafted with ease in mind, ensuring that even novice cooks can achieve delicious results without feeling overwhelmed. The instructions are clear, concise, and easy to follow, allowing you to enjoy the cooking process rather than stressing over it.
Beyond the straightforward instructions, the ingredient lists are equally approachable. You won’t find yourself hunting for exotic or obscure components. Instead, Jennifer focuses on readily available, everyday ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry or can easily find at any local grocery store. This makes the cookbook incredibly practical for spontaneous meal planning; I often find myself reaching for it and realizing I have most of what I need on hand. It truly embodies the idea of making delicious, home-cooked meals a stress-free reality.
A Candid Look at the Cookbook Photos
While the recipes within Simply Suppers are truly exceptional, I must admit that the photography was my one minor disappointment. There’s a photo for nearly every recipe, which is fantastic for visual guidance. However, the quality of some images left a bit to be desired. They occasionally appear slightly blurry or as if they were scaled up from smaller resolutions. While they certainly serve their purpose in showing what the finished dish should look like, they don’t quite evoke that mouth-watering, “lick the page” sensation that some food photography achieves.
This observation is purely aesthetic, and it’s important to emphasize that it in no way detracts from the incredible value of the recipes themselves. In fact, it’s almost a testament to how good the recipes are that despite this visual setback, the cookbook remains a cherished resource in my kitchen. Had I judged the book solely by its cover and internal photography on a bookstore shelf, I might have overlooked its culinary treasures – which would have been a genuine shame, because the recipes are genuinely fantastic and deserve to be discovered.
The Star of the Show: Our Cheeseburger Pie Recipe
Among the several delightful recipes I’ve explored from Simply Suppers, this Cheeseburger Pie emerged as the undisputed, surprising winner. I initially approached it with the pragmatic goal of using up a homemade frozen pie crust I found in my freezer (a truly amazing crust recipe I now wish I could recall!). My expectation was for a decent, “just okay” meal, but what transpired was nothing short of a culinary revelation. This pie quickly earned a spot on my “definitely make again” list, and for good reason!
The secret to its incredible success, I believe, lies significantly in the crust. While a store-bought crust works perfectly fine, opting for a quality store-bought brand or, even better, a homemade crust, truly elevates this dish to extraordinary heights. The buttery, flaky texture of a good crust provides the perfect foundation for the rich and savory filling. We devoured this pie with gusto, proving that sometimes the simplest concepts yield the most satisfying results.
Why You’ll Love This Cheeseburger Pie
This Cheeseburger Pie is more than just a convenient meal; it’s a symphony of flavors that combines classic comfort with surprising elegance. Here’s why it deserves a prime spot in your meal rotation:
- Uncomplicated Comfort: It delivers the familiar, satisfying taste of a cheeseburger in an easy-to-eat pie form. No buns needed!
- Family-Friendly: Kids and adults alike will adore this savory dish. It’s hearty, cheesy, and packed with flavors everyone enjoys.
- Weeknight Winner: With minimal prep and cook time, it’s ideal for busy evenings when you want a homemade meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Versatile: Easily customizable with your favorite cheeseburger toppings and cheeses.
- Hearty & Filling: A single slice is surprisingly substantial, making it a truly satisfying meal.
Tips for the Best Cheeseburger Pie
Achieving a perfect Cheeseburger Pie is straightforward with a few key considerations:
- The Crust is Key: As mentioned, a great pie crust can make all the difference. Whether homemade or store-bought, choose one you love for optimal flakiness and flavor. Blind baking the crust isn’t strictly necessary for this recipe, but if you prefer a crispier bottom, a quick 10-15 minute pre-bake can work wonders.
- Drain the Fat: After browning your ground beef and onions, thoroughly drain off any excess fat. This prevents a greasy pie and ensures the filling has the best texture.
- Season Generously: Don’t be shy with the salt and freshly ground black pepper. These simple seasonings enhance the beef’s flavor and bring everything together.
- Even Spreading: Ensure the cottage cheese mixture and cheddar cheese are spread evenly over the beef filling. This guarantees a balanced taste and texture in every bite.
- Don’t Overbake: Bake just until the filling is set and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Overbaking can lead to a dry filling.
Serving Suggestions
While this Cheeseburger Pie is a complete meal on its own, it pairs wonderfully with a few simple sides:
- A crisp, green side salad with a tangy vinaigrette to cut through the richness.
- Classic crinkle-cut fries or sweet potato fries for an extra “burger joint” feel.
- Pickle slices or a side of coleslaw for a refreshing crunch.
- A drizzle of your favorite burger sauce, ketchup, or mustard for dipping.
Variations and Customizations
Feel free to get creative and adapt this recipe to your taste preferences:
- Cheeses: Experiment with different types of cheese! Colby jack, Monterey jack, or even a spicy pepper jack can add new dimensions.
- Add Bacon: Crispy crumbled bacon mixed into the beef or sprinkled on top adds another layer of classic cheeseburger flavor.
- Extra Veggies: Finely diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or even a handful of spinach can be sautéed with the beef.
- Spice It Up: A pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce in the beef mixture will give it a kick.
- Pickle Power: For true cheeseburger authenticity, a layer of thinly sliced dill pickles over the beef mixture before adding the cottage cheese can be a delightful addition.
- Meat Alternatives: Ground turkey or chicken can be used as a leaner alternative to ground beef, adjusting seasonings as needed.
Overall Thoughts on Simply Suppers
In conclusion, Simply Suppers by Jennifer Chandler isn’t about reinventing the wheel with avant-garde cuisine; it’s about perfecting the everyday. The recipes, while not “earth-shattering” in their complexity, are consistently delicious, reliable, and often feature an unexpected twist or ingredient that makes them genuinely stand out from the crowd of standard fare. This cookbook truly delivers on its promise of making mealtime enjoyable and stress-free. For anyone looking to add dependable, flavorful, and easy recipes to their cooking repertoire, I wholeheartedly recommend adding this gem to your kitchen library. And if you’re a cheeseburger enthusiast, you simply must try this pie!
Cheeseburger Pie
No ratings yet
Deborah Harroun
15 minutes
30 minutes
45 minutes
6
servings
Main Dish
American
Pin
Ingredients
-
1
unbaked pie crust
homemade or store-bought -
1
tablespoon
vegetable oil -
1
pound
ground beef -
1/2
cup
finely diced yellow onion -
2
tablespoons
all-purpose flour -
1
tablespoon
Worcestershire sauce -
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper -
2
large eggs -
1
cup
small-curd cottage cheese -
2
medium tomatoes
thinly sliced -
8
oz
shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
- Place the pie crust in a deep-dish pie pan. Flute the edges, if desired. Place the prepared pie crust in the refrigerator until ready to fill.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, warm the oil until a few droplets of water sizzle when carefully sprinkled in the skillet. Add the ground beef and onion. Cook, breaking up the beef with a wooden spoon, until the meat is browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Transfer the meat and onions to a colander and drain off the excess fat. In a large bowl, stir the meat and onion with the flour and Worcestershire sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Spoon the mixture into the prepared pie crust.
- In a small bowl, stir together the eggs and cottage cheese. Spoon the cottage cheese mixture evenly over the beef. Arrange tomato slices on top of the cottage cheese and sprinkle the cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake until set and the cheese has melted, about 30 minutes.
Recipe Notes:
cheeseburger pie, easy dinner, ground beef recipe, comfort food