This Tortilla Pie is a culinary delight that masterfully layers creamy refried beans, flavorful taco-seasoned beef, zesty salsa, and an abundance of melted cheese between soft tortillas. Designed for simplicity and maximum flavor, this dish comes together with minimal effort, making it an ideal choice for a busy weeknight. Just layer, bake, and crown it with your favorite taco toppings for a truly unforgettable meal that will please everyone at the table.
Taco Tortilla Pie: A Beloved Family Tradition
There are some recipes that transcend mere meals and become treasured family traditions. This Taco Tortilla Pie is undoubtedly one of them. Growing up, this recipe was a constant presence in my home, primarily thanks to my mom, who perfected her unique spin on it. With a bustling family of nine to feed, she often prepared two or even three of these savory pies at once, and without fail, every single bite would vanish by the end of the meal. It was a testament to its irresistible appeal, a dish that brought comfort and joy to our large family gatherings.
While my mom didn’t originally invent this ingenious layered bake, she certainly made it her own. Her versatility shone through as she effortlessly adapted the recipe, cycling between chicken, a hearty vegetarian version, or my personal favorite: the classic beef filling. Each rendition was met with equal enthusiasm, proving that the core concept of this tortilla pie is incredibly adaptable and consistently delicious.
Why This Easy Tortilla Pie Became a Family Staple:
- Universal Appeal: Finding a dish that satisfies nine distinct palates is no small feat. This tortilla pie consistently achieved that, earning it a permanent spot in our dinner rotation. Its familiar taco flavors are loved by both kids and adults, making it the perfect family-friendly meal.
- Minimal Ingredients: Despite its impressive appearance and rich taste, this recipe calls for fewer than 10 core ingredients. This simplicity not only makes grocery shopping a breeze but also ensures it’s accessible for any home cook.
- Lightning-Fast Prep: The beauty of this recipe lies in its quick assembly. Layering the pies takes mere minutes, allowing you to get a delicious, homemade meal on the table even on the busiest of evenings. It’s significantly faster than many traditional casserole dishes.
- Endlessly Versatile: Whether you want to add a vibrant array of fresh toppings for extra flair or keep it simple for a quick and satisfying bite, this taco tortilla pie adapts to your mood and pantry. Its customizable nature means you can enjoy it differently every time.
- Budget-Friendly: Made with common, affordable ingredients, this tortilla pie offers excellent value, allowing you to feed a crowd without breaking the bank. It’s a smart choice for economical meal planning.
Quick Tip: More Family Favorites!
If you loved this taste of my mom’s kitchen, you might want to try some of her other celebrated recipes. Indulge in her famous Carmelitas (irresistible chocolate, caramel, and oat bars), cool down with her delightful Ice Cream Pie, or whip up this incredibly simple and delicious French Bread Taco Pizza for another speedy meal!
Essential Tortilla Pie Ingredients for Maximum Flavor
Crafting the perfect layered taco-flavored Tortilla Pie starts with selecting the right ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each component is crucial to the dish’s success:
- Tortillas: The foundation of our pie! While various types work, TortillaLand® unbaked tortillas are a personal favorite for their fresh taste and texture when cooked. Their larger size (10-inch) is also ideal for creating generous layers that hold up well during baking. If using unbaked, remember to pre-cook them briefly in a skillet as they won’t fully cook within the pie. Pre-cooked flour tortillas are also an excellent convenient option.
- Lean Ground Beef: For a hearty and less greasy filling, a 93/7 lean ground beef blend is highly recommended. The lower fat content ensures a flavorful but not oily pie. If you’re looking for an alternative or lighter option, ground turkey also works beautifully and absorbs the taco seasoning wonderfully.
- Taco Seasoning: This packet is your secret weapon for infusing authentic Mexican-inspired flavor into the beef. Old El Paso’s seasoning mix is a consistently reliable choice, offering a balanced blend of spices. Feel free to use your preferred brand or even a homemade blend for a personalized touch.
- Enchilada or Tomato Sauce: This ingredient adds moisture and a rich, savory depth to the beef mixture. Red enchilada sauce is the top pick for its traditional Mexican flavor profile, but plain tomato sauce can be used as a milder alternative, particularly if you’re sensitive to spice.
- Cheese: The melty, gooey heart of any good layered dish! Queso Quesadilla® cheese is exceptionally well-suited for this pie because it melts smoothly and beautifully, avoiding the clumping sometimes seen with other pre-shredded cheeses. A Mexican cheese blend is a fantastic and readily available alternative if Queso Quesadilla is hard to find.
- Salsa: Your choice of salsa dictates the overall spice level and freshness. Use your favorite mild salsa for a gentle flavor or crank up the heat with a medium or hot variety for an extra kick. Fresh salsa or pico de gallo can also elevate the texture and taste.
- Refried Beans: These creamy beans add a comforting, earthy layer that binds the other ingredients together. Select a brand you love, or seek out fresh refried beans from your local Mexican market for an authentic touch. They provide essential moisture and a satisfying texture to each bite.
Smart Shortcuts for a Faster Tortilla Pie
Even for a dish as quick as this Tortilla Pie, sometimes every second counts. Here are a few clever shortcuts to make your cooking experience even smoother and faster:
- Pre-minced Garlic: Freshly mincing garlic is lovely, but when time is tight, pre-minced options are a lifesaver. We particularly love Dorot’s® crushed garlic cubes, which you can conveniently store in your freezer and simply pop into the pan when needed. Check your local grocery store, usually in the frozen vegetable section, for these handy cubes, or opt for refrigerated minced garlic.
- Pre-grated Cheese: While I often advocate for freshly grating cheese for the best melt and flavor in most recipes, this Tortilla Pie is a delightful exception. Pre-grated cheese works wonderfully here, melting into a smooth, gooey layer without getting clumpy. This shortcut is a true gift to busy home cooks!
- Microwave and Broil Combo: My mom had a brilliant trick for cutting down oven time: she would microwave the tortilla pie for a few minutes before a quick broil at the end to get that perfect golden-brown, bubbly cheese. I often adopt this hybrid approach myself! Who has time to wait 30-45 minutes for baking when a delicious meal is calling? This method gets dinner on the table much faster while still achieving fantastic results.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make a Layered Taco Pie with Tortillas
Creating this irresistible Taco Tortilla Pie is straightforward and incredibly rewarding. Follow these simple steps and tips to ensure your pie is a resounding success:
- Prepare Your Pan and Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray a pie pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking. This ensures easy removal of your delicious pie wedges later.
- Brown the Beef Flavorfully: Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add your lean ground beef and let it sear for about 1 minute per side before breaking it up with a wooden spoon and browning it completely. Searing first creates a delicious crust and adds depth of flavor. Drain off any excess grease, then reduce the heat to medium. Stir in the taco seasoning and minced garlic (if using) and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Finally, pour in the enchilada sauce, scrape the bottom of the pan to deglaze, and cook, stirring constantly, for 2-3 minutes until the sauce has thickened nicely. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Pre-cook Tortillas (If Necessary): If you’re using unbaked tortillas (like TortillaLand®), it’s crucial to quickly cook them in a skillet first according to package directions. They won’t fully cook through when layered raw in the pie. If using pre-cooked tortillas, you can use them as is. This step ensures your tortillas have the perfect texture.
- Layer with Care: Begin assembling your pie by placing one tortilla into the prepared pie pan. Evenly spread one-third of the refried beans over the tortilla. Follow with one-third of the seasoned taco meat, then about half a cup of salsa, and finally, one-third of the shredded cheese. Gently compress each new tortilla layer to ensure a cohesive pie that holds its shape when sliced. Repeat these layers two more times, finishing with a tortilla on top as the final layer.
- Microwave and Bake: For a faster bake, microwave the assembled pie for 2 minutes. This kickstarts the melting process and ensures the center is heated through. Then, transfer the pie to your preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is beautifully gooey and bubbly, and the edges of the tortillas are lightly golden.
- Rest and Serve: Once baked, remove the pie from the oven. Let it rest for a few minutes before slicing into wedges, just like a traditional pie. Serve immediately with your desired creamy and fresh toppings.
Elevate Your Tortilla Pie with Flavorful Toppings
Once your delectable Tortilla Pie emerges from the oven, golden and bubbling, it’s ready to be sliced and served. The final touch? A generous selection of fresh, creamy, and vibrant toppings that not only add visual appeal but also enhance the overall flavor and texture experience. Think of these as the crowning glory for your taco pie:
- Fresh Tomatoes: Diced cherry tomatoes, a spoonful of fresh salsa, or vibrant pico de gallo offer a burst of freshness and acidity that beautifully contrasts the richness of the pie.
- Mango Salsa or Fruity Salsa: This is my mom’s absolute favorite addition! The sweet and tangy notes of mango salsa (or any similar fruity salsa) provide an unexpected yet delightful twist, adding a tropical brightness to each bite.
- Fresh Cilantro: A sprinkling of freshly chopped cilantro delivers a fragrant, herbaceous aroma and a refreshing taste that instantly brightens the dish.
- Lime Wedges: A squeeze of fresh lime juice over your serving is a game-changer. It cuts through the richness, adding a zesty zing that awakens all the flavors.
- Avocado or Guacamole: Creamy, rich, and undeniably delicious, sliced avocado or a dollop of homemade guacamole adds a luxurious texture and healthy fats that complement the savory pie perfectly.
- Taco Sauce or Hot Sauce: For those who love an extra layer of flavor or a fiery kick, a drizzle of your favorite taco sauce or a dash of hot sauce will certainly do the trick.
- Sour Cream: A classic for a reason! A dollop of cool, tangy sour cream (fat-free or low-fat options work great!) provides a creamy counterpoint that balances the spicy and savory notes.
- Sliced Black Olives: These add a subtle briny flavor and a pleasant chewiness, a simple yet effective topping for olive lovers.
Creative Variations to Customize Your Tortilla Pie
The beauty of this Tortilla Pie lies in its incredible adaptability. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different ingredients and flavors to suit your preferences or what you have on hand. Here are some fantastic ways to customize your next layered taco pie:
Explore Different Ways to Make Tortilla Pie
- Make it Vegetarian: For a quick meatless meal, simply omit the beef. My mom would often create a delicious vegetarian version by alternating layers of refried beans, salsa, and cheese. For added substance and flavor, consider stirring in a can of drained and rinsed black beans along with about 1/2 cup of frozen corn kernels into your refried bean layer. This creates a heartier, texture-rich vegetarian option.
- Swap for Chicken: If chicken is more to your liking, it’s an easy swap. Prepare shredded chicken using a recipe like this Rotisserie Chicken Tacos recipe (feel free to replace all the individual spices with a convenient packet of taco seasoning for simplicity). Once your saucy chicken is ready, simply layer it in place of the beef. The tender chicken will absorb all the savory taco flavors beautifully.
- Embrace Homemade Ingredients: For those who enjoy cooking from scratch and have a few extra minutes, using homemade components can truly elevate this pie. Try making your own Taco Seasoning – it’s our absolute favorite and provides a fresh, robust flavor that’s hard to beat. Or, if you happen to have some leftover homemade Salsa, use that instead of store-bought for an even fresher taste experience.
- Jazz It Up with Extra Flavor: If you’re not in a rush, a few additions can significantly deepen the flavor profile. Sauté 1 cup of finely diced yellow onion with the ground beef until softened and translucent before adding the taco seasoning. For a subtle heat and complexity, stir in 1-2 tablespoons of finely diced jalapeños or fire-roasted green chiles with the beef mixture. These additions introduce wonderful aromatic notes and a gentle warmth.
- Adjust the Spice Levels: This pie can be as mild or as fiery as you desire. For a lightly seasoned dish, ensure you choose a mild salsa (taste it first if unsure), a mild enchilada sauce (or use plain tomato sauce), and a mild taco seasoning packet. To create a spicier Tortilla Pie, opt for medium or hot salsa, medium or hot enchilada sauce, and a medium or hot taco seasoning packet. For an extra kick, a tiny pinch of ground cayenne pepper (about 1/4 teaspoon) can be mixed into the beef.
Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner, a crowd-pleasing dish for entertaining, or a comforting family meal, this Taco Tortilla Pie truly delivers. Its simple preparation, customizable ingredients, and irresistible flavors make it a guaranteed hit. We hope this recipe becomes as cherished in your home as it is in ours!
More Mexican-Inspired Favorites from Our Kitchen
- Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas with succulent rotisserie chicken
- Mexican Street Corn Chicken Salad served on crispy tostada shells
- Sweet Potato Burrito Bowl, a healthy and delicious meal made effortlessly in ONE skillet
- Mexican Chickpeas infused with a vibrant and delicious green sauce
- Turkey Picadillo featuring tender turkey and golden potatoes, a comforting and flavorful dish
Tortilla Pie
Video
A video showing the preparation of this Tortilla Pie would appear here.
Equipment
- Pie pan
- Large pan
Ingredients
- Cooking spray
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef 93/7 blend
- 1 (1-ounce) packet taco seasoning
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic optional
- 1/2 cup red enchilada sauce or tomato sauce
- 4 flour tortillas 10-inch, see note 1
- 1-1/2 cups mild salsa
- 1 (16-ounce) can refried beans
- 8 ounces Queso Quesadilla® or Mexican-blend cheese, see note 2
- Toppings as desired see note 3
Instructions
- 1. Heat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray a pie pan with cooking spray and set aside.
- 2. Heat olive oil in a large pan over high heat. Once hot, add ground beef. Let beef sear for about 1 minute per side to develop flavor, then crumble with a wooden spoon and brown completely. Drain any excess grease. Reduce heat to medium. Add taco seasoning mix and minced garlic (if using). Stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Pour in enchilada sauce, scraping the bottom of the pan to incorporate all the flavorful bits. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2–3 more minutes until nicely thickened. Remove from heat.
- 3. Place one tortilla into the prepared pie pan. Spread with 1/3 of the refried beans, then 1/3 of the taco meat, followed by 1/2 cup salsa (approximately 135g), and 1/3 of the shredded cheese. Repeat these layers two more times, finishing the pie with a final tortilla on top. For quicker baking, microwave the assembled pie for 2 minutes before transferring to the oven.
- 4. Bake in the preheated oven for 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is gooey and melted, and the pie is heated through.
- 5. Remove from oven, let rest for a few minutes, then cut into wedges and serve with desired toppings (see note 3).
Recipe Notes
Note 2: After extensive testing with various cheeses over the years, Queso Quesadilla® emerges as the clear winner for this pie! It melts incredibly smoothly and, unlike some other pre-grated options, doesn’t clump. If Queso Quesadilla is unavailable, a good quality Mexican cheese blend is an excellent alternative.
Note 3: Don’t forget the toppings! Enhance your Tortilla Pie with creamy sour cream, fresh guacamole, vibrant chopped cilantro, a squeeze of fresh lime juice, and/or juicy cherry tomatoes.
Storage: To store any leftover Tortilla Pie, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. Keep it refrigerated for 1-2 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven until warmed through.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.