Ingredients
Crust Options
Cheese Crust (Most Popular)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon almond flour (optional, helps bind)
Almond Flour Crust (Optional)
- 1 ½ cups almond flour
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 egg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Taco Meat Filling
- 1 lb ground beef, turkey, or chicken
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne (optional, for heat)
- ½ cup diced green chiles or roasted peppers (optional)
Cheese and Cream Layer
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a mix
- ½ cup sour cream or heavy cream
Toppings (Optional)
- Sliced olives
- Diced tomatoes
- Fresh cilantro
- Jalapeño slices
- Salsa
- Guacamole
- Extra shredded cheese
Equipment Needed
- Skillet
- Mixing bowls
- Baking dish (8×8 or 9×9 inches works well)
- Parchment paper (optional)
- Spoon or spatula
Step 1: Make the Crust
Cheese Crust
- Preheat oven to 190°C / 375°F.
- In a bowl, combine shredded cheese, egg, and almond flour.
- Spread evenly in the bottom of a greased or parchment-lined baking dish.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are golden and center is slightly set.
Almond Flour Crust (Alternative)
- Mix almond flour, melted butter, egg, and salt until dough forms.
- Press evenly into the baking dish.
- Bake for 10 minutes until slightly firm.
Step 2: Cook the Meat Filling
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add ground meat and cook until browned, breaking into small pieces.
- Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Add chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne.
- Stir in green chiles or roasted peppers.
- Cook 2-3 more minutes to let spices bloom.
- Taste and adjust seasoning.
Step 3: Prepare Cheese and Cream Layer
- In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, shredded cheese, and sour cream or heavy cream.
- Mix until smooth and slightly fluffy.
- Taste and add a pinch of salt or a little garlic powder if desired.
Step 4: Assemble the Pie
- Spread taco meat evenly over the pre-baked crust.
- Spoon or spread cheese and cream mixture over the meat layer.
- Smooth the top evenly with a spatula.
Optional: Sprinkle extra shredded cheese on top for a golden, bubbly finish.
Step 5: Bake the Pie
- Bake at 190°C / 375°F for 15-20 minutes.
- Top should be golden and slightly bubbly.
- Let cool for 5 minutes before slicing to help the layers set.
Step 6: Add Fresh Toppings
Add any desired toppings just before serving:
- Cilantro
- Sliced jalapeños
- Olives
- Diced tomatoes
- Salsa or guacamole
This keeps fresh flavors from wilting in the oven.
Flavor Tips
- For smoky depth, use smoked paprika or chipotle powder in meat.
- For extra creaminess, add more sour cream to the cheese layer.
- For extra spice, mix a few diced green chiles into the crust (cheese crust) or meat.
- Leftover taco pie slices reheat well in the oven or air fryer for 5 minutes at 180°C / 350°F.
