This Classic Bisquick Cheeseburger Pie is the original “Impossibly Easy Pie” that has been a family favorite for decades. It combines the savory flavors of a cheeseburger seasoned beef, onions, and melted cheddar with a magical biscuit crust that forms on its own while baking.
With a hearty filling and a golden, fluffy topping, this 30-minute meal is the ultimate comfort food for busy weeknights.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: A nostalgic savory pie featuring browned beef and sweet onions seasoned simply with salt, enriched by sharp cheddar cheese and a buttery biscuit topping.
- Texture: The bottom layer is meaty and cheesy, while the top layer bakes into a soft, tender crust similar to a savory pancake or biscuit.
- Time: 10 minutes prep, 25 minutes bake time.
- Difficulty: Very Easy. It requires browning meat and whisking a quick batter.
What You’ll Need
To make this recipe, you will need a 9-inch glass pie pan and a nonstick skillet for cooking the beef. A small bowl and whisk are needed for the batter. The ingredients are incredibly simple pantry staples: ground beef, onion, milk, eggs, cheese, and the magic ingredient Original Bisquick mix.
Ingredient Notes
- Lean Ground Beef – Use at least 80% lean beef. Browning it with the onion creates the savory base of the pie.
- Original Bisquick Mix – This pre-mixed baking blend contains flour, shortening, salt, and baking powder. It is the key to the “impossible” crust that forms automatically during baking.
- Onion – A large chopped onion adds sweetness and moisture to the beef layer.
- Cheddar Cheese – Shredded cheddar melts into the beef to create the “cheeseburger” flavor profile. Sharp cheddar is recommended for more flavor.
- Milk & Eggs – These are whisked with the Bisquick to create a pourable batter that seeps into the meat and rises to the top.
- Salt – A half teaspoon enhances the savory flavors of the meat and crust.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Vegetables – You can stir in thawed frozen peas, corn, or diced tomatoes with the beef mixture for a complete one-dish meal.
- Seasoning – Feel free to add garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, or steak seasoning to the beef for extra depth.
How to Make Classic Bisquick Cheeseburger Pie
- Prep: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Spray a 9-inch glass pie pan with cooking spray.
- Cook Beef: Cook the ground beef and chopped onion in a nonstick skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and crumbly, about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Make Batter: Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk the milk, Original Bisquick mix, and eggs together until blended.
- Assemble: Drain the excess grease from the beef and onion mixture. Transfer the meat to the prepared pie pan. Stir in the salt to season the meat directly. Sprinkle the shredded Cheddar cheese evenly over the beef. Pour the Bisquick mixture over the top of everything.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
Pro Tip: Make sure to drain the beef well before putting it in the pie pan. Excess grease can prevent the Bisquick batter from setting properly, leading to a soggy bottom crust.
Recipe Tips
- Pouring Batter: When pouring the Bisquick mixture, try to pour it evenly over the cheese and meat. It will naturally settle, but starting with even coverage helps the crust form uniformly.
- Cheese Layer: Adding the cheese directly on top of the hot beef before pouring the batter ensures it melts into the meat layer rather than getting lost in the crust.
- Resting Time: Let the pie sit for 5 minutes after taking it out of the oven. This allows the structure to firm up, making it much easier to slice into neat wedges.
FAQs
- Can I use a different cheese? Yes, American cheese slices (torn up) or a Mexican cheese blend work great for different burger flavor profiles.
- Can I make this ahead? Yes, you can bake it ahead of time and reheat slices in the microwave. The crust softens slightly upon reheating but is still delicious.
- Can I use homemade pancake mix? You can make a homemade Bisquick substitute (flour, baking powder, salt, shortening), but the texture is most authentic with the original yellow box.
Serving Suggestions
- Condiments: Serve slices with ketchup, mustard, and pickles on the side for the full cheeseburger experience.
- Salad: A simple green salad or coleslaw is the perfect light side dish.
- Vegetables: Steamed green beans or roasted broccoli round out the meal.
Make This Recipe in Advance
- Freezing: You can freeze the baked pie. Wrap it tightly in foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating in the oven.
- Prep: You can cook the beef and onion mixture a day in advance to make dinner prep even faster.
Classic Bisquick Cheeseburger Pie
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 Slices 1x
Description
This Classic Bisquick Cheeseburger Pie is the original Impossibly Easy Pie that has been a family favorite for decades. It combines the savory flavors of a cheeseburger seasoned beef, onions, and melted Cheddar with a magical biscuit crust that forms on its own while baking. With a hearty filling and a golden, fluffy topping, this 30-minute meal is the ultimate comfort food for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
The Beef Filling
- 1 pound lean ground beef (at least 80% lean)
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Cooking spray (for the pan)
The Impossible Crust Batter
- 1/2 cup Original Bisquick mix
- 1 cup milk
- 2 large eggs
Instructions
Prep
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Spray a 9-inch glass pie pan with cooking spray.
Cook Beef
In a nonstick skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion. Stir occasionally until the beef is browned and crumbly (about 8–10 minutes). Crucial Step: Drain the excess grease thoroughly. If the meat is too greasy, the bottom crust won’t set.
Make Batter
While the beef cooks, whisk the milk, Bisquick mix, and eggs in a small bowl until blended and smooth.
Assemble
Transfer the drained beef and onion mixture to the prepared pie pan. Stir in the 1/2 teaspoon salt to season the meat directly. Sprinkle the shredded Cheddar cheese evenly over the beef. Pour the Bisquick batter evenly over the top of the cheese and meat.
Bake
Bake for 25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
Serve
Let the pie rest for 5 minutes to firm up structure before slicing. Serve warm.
Notes
Condiments are Key: To get the full “cheeseburger” experience, serve slices topped with cold ketchup, mustard, and dill pickle slices.
Bacon Variation: For a “Bacon Cheeseburger Pie,” stir 1/2 cup of cooked, crumbled bacon into the beef mixture before baking.
Pouring Tip: Try to pour the batter evenly over the ingredients. It will settle naturally, but starting with even coverage helps the crust form a uniform golden top.
Make Ahead: You can bake this pie, cool it, and freeze it wrapped in foil for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat in the oven.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner / Savory Pie
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American Retro
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Slice (1/6 of pie)
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
Keywords: bisquick cheeseburger pie, impossible pie recipe, ground beef dinner, easy weeknight meals, kid friendly dinner, savory pie recipe, retro recipes
