If you’re on the hunt for a dish that brings all the bold flavors of a taco night into one comforting, crowd-pleasing package, this Easy Layered Taco Pie Recipe is exactly what you need. It’s a fun and delicious way to enjoy familiar Mexican-inspired ingredients stacked into a cheesy, savory pie that’s as visually impressive as it is tasty. Whether you’re planning a family dinner or impressing friends with minimal effort, this recipe balances ease, flavor, and festive presentation perfectly.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Easy Layered Taco Pie Recipe lies in its simple, everyday ingredients that come together to create a mouthwatering experience. Each plays an essential role — from the hearty ground beef and vibrant salsa to the melty cheese and soft tortillas, every element contributes to the pie’s perfect texture and rich flavor.
- Ground beef (2 pounds): The savory protein base that carries all the taco flavors throughout the dish.
- Onion (1, chopped): Adds subtle sweetness and depth when cooked with the beef.
- Garlic powder (½ teaspoon): A little punch of garlic flavor without overpowering the other spices.
- Taco seasoning (1 envelope): Brings that classic, zesty taco spice mix into the meat.
- Water (¼ cup): Helps blend the taco seasoning evenly into the meat mixture.
- Corn (1 can, 12 ounces, drained): Adds bursts of natural sweetness and a fantastic textural contrast.
- Flour tortillas (5, 8-inch): The layers of soft, warm tortillas hold the pie together and add a subtle chewiness.
- Salsa (1 ½ cups): Infuses moisture and tangy flavor to keep the pie juicy and bright.
- Mexican or Tex-Mex cheese (2 cups, shredded): Melts beautifully to create that irresistible gooey cheese layer.
- Garnishes (optional): Sliced green onions, chopped tomatoes, cilantro, shredded lettuce, and sour cream to add freshness and color.
How to Make Easy Layered Taco Pie Recipe
Step 1: Get Your Oven and Pan Ready
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grab an 8-inch springform pan and give it a good spray with nonstick cooking spray. This helps ensure your pie slides out cleanly and keeps all those layers intact.
Step 2: Cook the Taco Meat
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, sauté the chopped onion and ground beef, stirring and breaking the meat apart, until there’s no pink left. Drain off any excess fat to keep the pie from getting greasy. Then add garlic powder, taco seasoning, water, drained corn, and salsa to the skillet. Let everything simmer together for about 5 minutes so the flavors meld and the mixture thickens slightly.
Step 3: Start Building Your Layers
Place one soft flour tortilla at the bottom of your prepared pan. This forms the pie’s base and will soak up those delicious juices without getting soggy.
Step 4: Layer Meat, Cheese, and Tortillas
Spread about one cup of the cooked meat mixture evenly over the tortilla, then sprinkle half a cup of shredded cheese on top. Repeat the layering — tortilla, meat, cheese — three more times until you have four full layers. Finish by placing the final (fifth) tortilla on top and cover it with the remaining cheese. This cheesy crown is what makes this dish so irresistible and satisfying.
Step 5: Bake the Pie
Pop the pie into your preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes. This step melts all the cheese into gooey perfection and allows the layers to meld together beautifully, creating that classic taco pie bite.
Step 6: Let It Cool and Serve
Once out of the oven, give your Easy Layered Taco Pie Recipe about 10 minutes to cool in the pan before you try to remove the springform ring or cut into it. This little rest lets everything set up nicely, so you get clean slices full of cheesy, meaty goodness. You can also serve it directly from the pan if you want a fuss-free presentation.
How to Serve Easy Layered Taco Pie Recipe
Garnishes
Top your slices with sliced green onions for a punch of color and crunch. Fresh chopped tomatoes, vibrant cilantro sprigs, shredded lettuce, and a dollop of tangy sour cream all add brightness and balance the richness of the pie wonderfully.
Side Dishes
Serve this pie alongside a fresh garden salad or Mexican rice for a complete, satisfying meal. Refried beans or a crisp avocado salad are also fantastic complements that bring extra texture and flavor to the table.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun party idea, cut the pie into small squares and serve as taco pie bites on a platter, garnished with individual toppings on the side so guests can customize their own. You can also experiment with adding jalapeños or swapping out the flour tortillas for corn for a twist on the classic.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once your Easy Layered Taco Pie Recipe has cooled completely, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container. It stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, perfect for quick lunches or dinner the next day.
Freezing
This pie freezes beautifully as a whole or in individual portions. Wrap it well in foil and plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn, and store for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheating
Reheat leftover slices in the oven at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes until warmed through and the cheese is bubbly again. Alternatively, microwave individual pieces on medium power, but oven reheating preserves the texture best.
FAQs
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?
Absolutely! Ground turkey works well in this recipe and makes for a leaner alternative while still pairing perfectly with the taco seasoning and other ingredients.
Is it possible to make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes! Substitute the ground beef with seasoned black beans or cooked lentils, and it will still be delicious and full of protein.
Can I prepare the pie fully assembled and bake later?
You can assemble the pie ahead of time and refrigerate it for a few hours before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if it’s cold straight from the fridge.
What type of cheese works best for this recipe?
Mexican blend cheeses or Tex-Mex shredded cheese are ideal because they melt well and have a balanced cheddar and Monterey jack flavor, enhancing that classic taco pie taste.
How spicy is this dish?
The spice level mainly depends on the taco seasoning and salsa you use. You can adjust by choosing mild or hot varieties depending on your preference, making this Easy Layered Taco Pie Recipe suitable for everyone.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Layered Taco Pie Recipe is such a joyful discovery for taco lovers who want a little extra comfort and creativity in their meals. Once you try it, you’ll see how simple ingredients can come together in layers of flavor and texture that satisfy every craving. Gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and enjoy the fun of making (and eating) this fabulous dish!
Print
Easy Layered Taco Pie Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
This Easy Layered Taco Pie is a flavorful and satisfying dish featuring seasoned ground beef, layers of tortillas, corn, salsa, and melted Mexican cheese baked to perfection. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it combines classic taco ingredients into a delightful layered casserole that’s easy to prepare and sure to please the whole family.
Ingredients
Meat Mixture
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 envelope taco seasoning
- ¼ cup water
- 1 can (12 ounces) corn, drained
- 1 ½ cups salsa
Assembly
- 5 8-inch flour tortillas
- 2 cups Mexican or Tex-Mex cheese, shredded (pre-shredded is fine)
Garnish (optional)
- Sliced green onions
- Chopped tomatoes
- Cilantro
- Shredded lettuce
- Sour cream
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare the pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray an 8-inch springform pan with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking and set aside.
- Cook the meat mixture: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, scramble fry the ground beef along with chopped onion until the meat is no longer pink. Drain any excess fat. Then add garlic powder, taco seasoning, water, drained corn, and salsa to the skillet. Cook the mixture for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to blend the flavors.
- Start layering: Place one 8-inch tortilla at the bottom of the springform pan to form the base layer.
- Add layers: Spread about 1 cup of the meat mixture evenly over the tortilla layer. Sprinkle ½ cup of shredded cheese on top. Repeat the layering process of tortilla, meat mixture, and cheese to create 4 full layers, finishing with the 5th tortilla on top and the remaining cheese sprinkled over it.
- Bake the pie: Place the assembled taco pie in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Cool and serve: Let the pie cool for about 10 minutes before removing the springform pan sides. Garnish with sliced green onions, chopped tomatoes, cilantro, shredded lettuce, and sour cream if desired. Slice and serve warm.
Notes
- Drain the cooked ground beef well to reduce excess grease and improve the texture of the pie.
- Use flour tortillas of 8-inch size to ensure proper layering in the pan.
- Customize toppings and garnishes such as avocado, jalapeños, or olives according to preference.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- For a spicy kick, add extra chili powder or hot sauce to the meat mixture.
