Delicious Bisquick Impossible Taco Pie

If you ask me, Bisquick Impossible Taco Pie is one of those dinner miracles every busy cook needs to know about.

This Mexican-inspired casserole makes a fuss-free family meal that’s loaded with familiar taco flavors. Seasoned ground beef and melted cheese blend with a simple Bisquick topping that bakes up golden and tender.

It’s the kind of recipe that takes care of itself in the oven while you help with homework or tidy up the kitchen. The best part? All those classic taco toppings – shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and a dollop of sour cream – make every slice feel special.

It’s a reliable weeknight dinner that always gets eaten up, perfect for those evenings when you want something cozy and filling.

What Kind of Ground Beef Should I Use?

For a taco pie, you’ll want to think about the fat content of your ground beef since it can affect both flavor and texture. An 80/20 blend (meaning 80% lean meat to 20% fat) is ideal for this recipe – it provides enough fat to keep the meat juicy and flavorful, but not so much that your pie becomes greasy. If you prefer leaner meat, 85/15 will work too, though you might notice it’s slightly less tender. When you’re at the store, look for ground beef that’s bright red in color and feels firm to the touch. Just remember to drain off any excess fat after browning to keep your pie from becoming soggy.

Options for Substitutions

This easy taco pie is pretty adaptable and you can make several swaps depending on what you have in your kitchen:

• Minced beef: You can easily swap the beef for ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based meat alternatives. If using turkey or chicken, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil when cooking to keep it moist.
• Pancake mix: While Bisquick is the traditional choice, you can use any pancake mix. In a pinch, make your own by combining 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
• Green chiles: No canned green chiles? Try using fresh diced jalapeños (remove seeds for less heat), or even a few tablespoons of salsa verde.
• Taco seasoning: Out of the packet? Make your own with 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon each of cumin and paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon each of garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
• Toppings: All the toppings (lettuce, olives, tomatoes, salsa, sour cream, avocado) are completely optional – use what you like! Greek yogurt works great instead of sour cream, and guacamole can replace fresh avocado.
• Cheese: Any melting cheese works here – try Monterey Jack, Mexican blend, or even mozzarella. For a dairy-free version, use your favorite plant-based shredded cheese.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest challenge when making Impossible Taco Pie is ending up with a greasy, soggy bottom – to prevent this, make sure to drain the ground beef thoroughly after browning, and pat the green chiles dry before adding them to the mixture.

Another common mistake is overmixing the Bisquick batter, which can make your pie tough and dense instead of light and fluffy – just stir until the ingredients are combined, and don’t worry about small lumps.

Temperature control is crucial here: starting with a preheated 400°F oven helps create that perfect self-forming crust, but if you notice the top browning too quickly while the center isn’t set, simply cover it loosely with foil.

For the best texture and easier serving, resist the urge to cut into the pie right away – letting it rest for 5-10 minutes allows the filling to set properly and prevents it from falling apart when plated.

What to Serve With Taco Pie?

This hearty taco pie is practically a meal on its own, but there are some tasty sides that can round out your dinner perfectly! A simple Mexican-style rice with some corn and peppers mixed in makes for a great accompaniment. I love to serve a fresh, crisp side salad loaded with cucumbers and radishes, dressed with a lime vinaigrette to cut through the richness of the pie. If you’re feeding a crowd, you might want to put out some tortilla chips with fresh guacamole or a bowl of black beans seasoned with cumin and garlic – these sides keep with the Mexican theme and make the meal feel complete.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: Once your taco pie has cooled down, wrap it well or pop it in an airtight container. It’ll stay good in the fridge for up to 3 days. I like to store any fresh toppings separately so they stay crisp and fresh for when you’re ready to serve again.

Freeze: This taco pie is perfect for freezing! Let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly in foil or place it in a freezer-safe container. It’ll keep well for up to 2 months. Just remember to skip the fresh toppings before freezing – those are best added fresh when serving.

Warm Up: When you’re ready to enjoy your leftover taco pie, heat it in a 350°F oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until it’s heated through. If it’s frozen, thaw it overnight in the fridge first. Add your fresh toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, and avocado after reheating.

Preparation Time	15-20 minutes
Cooking Time	30-35 minutes
Total Time	45-55 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1200-1400
• Protein: 80-90 g
• Fat: 70-80 g
• Carbohydrates: 70-80 g

Ingredients

• 1 pound minced beef
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 (1.25 ounces) packet taco seasoning
• 1 (4-ounce) can green chiles, drained
• 1/2 cup pancake mix
• 1 cup milk
• 2 large eggs
• 3/4 cup shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese
• Shredded lettuce
• Sliced black olives
• Chopped tomatoes
• Salsa
• Sour cream
• Sliced avocado

Step 1: Prepare the Pie Dish and Preheat Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (204°C).

Spray a 9-inch pie dish with nonstick cooking spray to ensure the pie comes out easily after baking.

Step 2: Cook the Beef and Onion Mixture

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook and crumble 1 pound of ground beef along with 1/2 cup of chopped onion.

Continue cooking until the beef is fully cooked and no pink remains.

Drain any excess grease from the skillet, then mix in 1 envelope of taco seasoning to add flavor to the beef.

Step 3: Assemble the Pie

Transfer the seasoned beef mixture into the prepared pie dish, spreading it evenly.

Open a can of green chiles and layer them on top of the beef in a single layer to add a kick of spice.

Step 4: Prepare and Add the Bisquick Mixture

In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup of Bisquick, 1 cup of milk, and 2 eggs until the mixture is smooth and well combined.

Pour this mixture evenly over the beef and green chiles in the pie dish to form the top layer.

Step 5: Bake the Taco Pie

Place the pie dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 25 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

Once done, remove from the oven and sprinkle 3/4 cup of cheese over the top.

Return the dish to the oven for another 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 6: Serve the Taco Pie

Allow the taco pie to stand for 5 minutes to set before serving.

Top as desired with additional toppings such as chopped tomatoes, lettuce, sour cream, or salsa.

Enjoy your delicious and hearty taco pie!