A classic of 1950s Americana, Cheeseburger Pie is the most comforting of weeknight casseroles: sautéed onion and ground beef, baked under a simple batter of flour, baking powder, eggs, and milk and a rich topping of cheddar cheese. Serve it in thick wedges with an easy celery and romaine heart salad.

  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Total: 50 mins 
  • Active: 15 mins

Ingredients (13)

  • Cooking spray
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

  1. Heat the oven to 400°F and arrange a rack in the middle. Coat a 9-inch pie dish with cooking spray.
  2. In a frying pan over medium heat, warm the oil. Add the onion and a sprinkle of salt and cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add the beef along with a big pinch of salt and some black pepper. Raise the heat to medium high and cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is browned, about 5 minutes. Drain most of the fat out of the beef. Transfer the mixture to the pie dish and spread in an even layer. Set aside.
  3. In a food processor, pulse together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and measured salt. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture looks like coarse breadcrumbs. Add the milk and eggs and pulse until the mixture is blended. Pour this batter over the meat in the pie dish. Sprinkle the top with the cheese.
  4. Bake until golden brown and set, and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, about 25 minutes.