If you love Tex-Mex flavor but need something hearty, simple, and family-approved, this Mexican taco beef pie recipe is the one to try. Made with seasoned ground beef, salsa, refried beans, and melted cheese all baked into a flaky pie crust, it’s a warm and comforting dish that's perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or game day. You can customize it with your favorite toppings and have it ready in under an hour.
Why This Easy Mexican Taco Beef Pie Recipe Works
Flavor-packed: seasoned beef, creamy refried beans & melty cheddar in every bite
Easy to make: simple pantry ingredients, one-pan prep, under an hour
Meal-prep ready: great warm for dinner or reheated for lunch
🎥 Watch me make this recipe step-by-step in the video above — or keep reading for tips, ingredient swaps, and the full printable recipe below!
This Mexican pie is one of my favorite meals, and it was made by my mom growing up. This was in rotation along with Texas Hash, which I also love. Both are quick and easy dinners that the whole family will love.
What You’ll Need for This Mexican Taco Beef Pie
Here’s an overview of the ingredients — full measurements are in the recipe card below 👇
👉 Want exact amounts? See the full recipe card at the bottom.
What Does This Taco Beef Pie Taste Like?
The seasoned beef delivers that classic taco spice, balanced by creamy beans and gooey cheddar. Baked in a golden, crisp pie crust, it’s warm, comforting, and hits all the right Tex-Mex notes—perfect for casual family meals or game day gatherings.
Equipment You'll Need
Large Skillet
Medium stock pot
Mixing spoon and Spatula
Pie plate
can opener
Measuring Spoon
Cheese Grater
Cutting Board
Sharp knife
Serving Spatula
For a full, detailed list of the brands of equipment I use and recommend, check out this article on Best Kitchen Essentials Checklist that I have prepared for you.
Step-by-step instructions
Prepare the pie shells
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Lay out frozen pie shells 15 to 20 minutes ahead of time to thaw. Using a fork, prick holes in the bottom of the pie shells. Bake for 10-12 minutes until slightly brown.
If you have pie weights, you can use them
After baking the pies, the crust usually lies back down
Mexican Taco Beef Pie Filling
1. Place the large skillet on the stovetop on medium-high heat. Cook the ground beef until the meat is brown.
2. Drain the grease off the meat. Add in the taco seasoning, then the flour slurry (cold water and flour mixture). Stir into the ground beef until it is well incorporated.
Adding flour slurry
After reducing the mixture, add the drained green chilies and salsa. Then add in 1 cup of the cheese and mix well.
Green chilies
Salsa
A portion of the cheese
3. Place the medium stock pot on the stove on medium heat. Add the refried beans to the pot to reheat. Add in the water to thin the beans down some. You want them to be able to spread easily when we layer them at the bottom of the pie shell. A nice smooth texture is what we are looking for.
Refried beans need to be smooth and creamy
Make the Pies
1. Divide the refried beans between the two pie crusts and spread the mixture on the bottom of the shells.
Next, divide the ground beef mixture between the two shells and spread evenly. Top with the remaining sharp cheddar cheese.
2. Bake for 15-20 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit until the cheese is nice and bubbly and the edges of the pie crust are golden brown.
3. Allow the pies to cool for 10 to 15 minutes to allow the pie to set before serving.
How To Serve
Serve this dish on a plate with tortilla chips. Top the Mexican Taco Beef Pie with the garnishes listed above or your favorite taco toppings.
Add black beans, corn, or diced peppers for texture
Use spicy salsa or chipotle for heat
For low-carb: use a tortilla base or bake crustless
Storage & Reheating Tips
Reheat in oven at 350°F for crispy crust or microwave slices
Store covered in fridge up to 5 days.
FAQ's
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can make this recipe ahead of time. Store it covered in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, remove it from the refrigerator and bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time if necessary.
Can I freeze the Taco Beef Pie?
Yes, you can freeze the assembled pie before baking. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and bake as directed.
Can I use a different type of cheese?
Absolutely! While cheddar cheese adds a great flavor, you can use other cheeses such as Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or a Mexican cheese blend.
What can I use instead of refried beans?
If you don't have refried beans, you can use black beans or pinto beans as an alternative. Simply mash them slightly to create a similar texture.
Can I make this dish spicier?
To add more heat, you can include diced jalapeños, a dash of hot sauce, or extra chili powder in the beef mixture. You can also top the pie with spicy salsa or serve it with a side of sliced jalapeños.
What are some good toppings for this Mexican Pie?
Great toppings include sour cream, guacamole, salsa, diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, sliced olives, fresh cilantro, and chopped green onions.
Can I use homemade taco seasoning?
Yes, homemade taco seasoning works great. Combine chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper to taste.
Need a refresher while cooking? Scroll back up to watch the video demo anytime!
Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with this Easy Mexican Taco Beef Pie! This delicious dish combines a savory beef mixture seasoned with taco seasoning and creamy refried beans, all topped with melted cheddar cheese, nestled perfectly in a crispy pie crust.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Total Time55 minutes
Ingredients
1 lb of ground hamburger meat
Two frozen pastry pie shells
12 ounces of sharp cheddar cheese (1 cup for meat mixture, the rest for topping pies)
2 tablespoons of taco seasoning mix or use a Taco Seasoning packet
1-16 ounce can of refried beans
1-4 ounce can of green chilies
8 ounces of Salsa (half of a 16 ounce jar)
2 tablespoons of all purpose (AP) flour
1 cup of water (¼ cup for flour slurry, the rest for refried beans)
½ teaspoon of sea salt
½ teaspoon of black pepper
Toppings or Garnish
Lettuce
Diced tomatoes
Sour cream
Gucamole
Black olives
Green onions
Cilantro
Taco Sauce or Salsa
Lime Wedge
Instructions
Prepare pie shells
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lay out pie shells 15 to 20 minutes ahead of time to thaw. Using a fork, prick holes in the bottom of the pie shells. Bake for 10-12 minutes until slightly brown.
Mexican Taco Beef Pie Filling
Place the large skillet on the stovetop on medium-high heat. Cook beef until the meat is brown
Make a flour slurry by mixing a ¼ cup of water into the 2 tablespoons of AP flour and whisk until smooth. This will be used to help thicken the beef mixture.
Drain the grease off of the meat. Add in the taco seasoning. Add in the flour slurry. Stir into the ground beef until it is well incorporated. After reducing the mixture, add the drained green chilies and salsa. Then add in 1 cup of cheese and mix well.
Place the medium stock pot on the stove on medium heat. Add the refried beans to the pot to reheat. Add ¾ cup of the water to thin the refried beans. This will allow them to thin out and spread easily when we layer them in the bottom of the pie shell. A nice smooth texture is what we are looking for.
Make the Pies
Divide the refried beans between the two pie crusts and spread the mixture on the bottom of the shells. Next, divide the ground beef mixture between the two shells and spread evenly. Top with the remaining Sharp Cheddar cheese and place in the oven to bake.
Bake for 15-20 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit until the cheese is nice and bubbly and the edges of the pie crust are golden brown.
Allow Mexican pie to cool for 10 to 15 minutes to allow the pie to set before serving.
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