Dawn's Taco Pie
I have a big family, so this can be cut in half for an average family. It is an easy dish that your family will love.
I have a big family, so this can be cut in half for an average family. It is an easy dish that your family will love.
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 pkg taco seasoning
- 1 medium tomato chopped
- 2 frozen pie shells deep dish is best
- 2 cans refried beans
- 12 oz pace picante sauce
- 1 cup corn tortilla chips crushed to 1/2 inch size
- 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 2 tbsp dried chopped onions
- 1 medium sweet onion chopped
- 1 small head of lettuce shredded
- Carbohydrate 75.7791682325 g
- Cholesterol 103.26856232 mg
- Fat 32.0149311 g
- Fiber 21.2165815156215 g
- Protein 28.8429643166 g
- Saturated Fat 14.35098968484 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Serving (331g)
- Sodium 8620.8697233332 mg
- Sugar 54.5625867168785 g
- Trans Fat 2.96310363678 g
- Calories 671 calories
Step-by-step
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
- Prepare pie shell as directed for a Pre-baked pie shell.
- Brown Ground Beef, add dried onion.
- Add taco seasoning, but only use 1/2 the water that is directed. Set aside.
- Put refried beans and Pace into a mixing bowl and mix together. Set aside.
- Chop tomato and onion for toppings
- When pie shells are finished, spread a layer of the bean mixture on the bottom, using 1/4 of the mixture in each shell.
- Place 1/2 cup of tortilla chips in each shell.
- Place 1/2 cup cheese in each shell.
- Place 1/2 the meat on top of the first 3 layers of each shell.
- Cover the meat with 1/4 of the bean mixture, using the last of it up.
- Put 1 cup of cheese on top of each pie.
- Cook at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
Standard hard-shell tacos crumble in transit and dissolve under heavy fillings, but baked pastry crusts provide a sturdy, enclosed vessel for seasoned meats and beans. Deep-dish pie shells require blind baking at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until golden and crisp to prevent a soggy bottom crust caused by the moisture in refried beans and salsa. When reducing this high-yield recipe for smaller households, cut all moisture-bearing ingredients by exactly half while keeping the cooking time steady at 20 minutes to ensure the cheddar cheese melts completely without burning the pastry edges.
The Mechanics of Layered Casseroles
Layering wet and dry components requires structural foresight. Crushed corn tortilla chips placed directly above the initial bean layer create an internal moisture barrier that preserves structural integrity before the final bake. Using only half the water specified on commercial taco seasoning packets prevents the beef mixture from boiling instead of browning, concentrating the spices against the fat of the ground beef.Managing Leftovers Safely
Cooked ground beef and bean mixtures harbour bacteria if left at room temperature past two hours. Cool the baked pies completely on a wire rack before transferring them to airtight glass containers, where they keep safely for up to three days in the refrigerator. Reheat individual slices in a 325-degree oven for 15 minutes to restore the crisp texture of the pastry shell, avoiding the rubbery texture often produced by microwave heating.
