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Surprise Taco Pie – The surprise is the crust!

Surprise Taco Pie – The surprise is the crust!
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The Surprise Taco Pie is a flavorful and fun twist on classic tacos, featuring a unique tortilla crust that turns the dish into a crispy, layered pie. Filled with seasoned ground beef or turkey, refried or black beans, melty cheese, and fresh toppings, this easy-to-make recipe is perfect for family meals or entertaining guests. Its surprising crust and customizable ingredients make it a memorable crowd-pleaser full of savory, cheesy, and fresh flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Filling

  • 1 lb ground beef or turkey
  • 2 tbsp taco seasoning
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 cup refried beans or black beans

Cheese

  • 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, pepper jack, or Mexican blend)

Crust

  • 6–8 flour tortillas (for crust; can substitute corn or gluten-free tortillas)

Fresh Vegetables and Toppings

  • 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup diced onions
  • 1/4 cup sliced olives
  • Sour cream (for serving)
  • Salsa (for serving)
  • Optional: chopped cilantro or green onions for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Filling: Brown the ground beef or turkey in a skillet over medium heat. Drain excess fat, then stir in taco seasoning and water. Add beans and simmer until the filling thickens and flavors meld.
  2. Assemble the Crust: Line a pie dish with overlapping tortillas to form a sturdy, flexible crust that will crisp when baked.
  3. Layer the Ingredients: Spread half of the meat and bean filling evenly over the tortilla crust. Sprinkle with half of the shredded cheese. Add a second tortilla layer, then top with the remaining filling and cheese.
  4. Bake to Perfection: Bake the assembled pie in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the crust is golden and crisp.
  5. Add Fresh Toppings: Let the pie cool slightly, then garnish with diced tomatoes, onions, olives, sour cream, salsa, and optional fresh herbs before serving.

Notes

  • Use warm tortillas to make the crust pliable and easy to shape.
  • Let the pie rest for 5-10 minutes after baking for easier slicing and serving.
  • For extra gooeyness, mix some cheese into the filling as well as layering on top.
  • Adjust taco seasoning to your preferred spice level before assembling.
  • Grease or use a non-stick pie dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal.

Nutrition

Keywords: taco pie, surprise crust, taco night, casserole, Mexican, easy dinner, family meal

Find it online: https://cherrycooks.com/surprise-taco-pie-the-surprise-is-the-crust/