TacosEasyFree

Taco Pie

Name: Taco Pie
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 500 g Beef mince; 12 Maize tortillas; 400 g Refried beans; 150 ml Soured cream; 400 g Crushed tinned tomatoes; 1 White onion; 3 cloves Garlic; 1 tsp Cumin; 0.5 tsp Oregano; 1 tsp Salt; 2 tsp Chilli powder; 200 g Grated cheddar cheese

55 min (20 prep + 35 cook) Easy 6 servings Tex-Mex

Edmond Bojalil

Recetas Mexas

Published: 25 Mar 2026 · Updated: 30 Mar 2026

Layered taco bake with mince, beans and melted cheese.

About this recipe

Layered taco casserole with seasoned beef mince, refried beans, melted cheese and a crispy tortilla crust. The ultimate Tex-Mex comfort food that wins over the whole family.

History & Origin

Taco Pie is one of the best-loved dishes of Tex-Mex cookery, born in the homes of Texas and the American South where families of Mexican heritage sought a practical and generous way to enjoy taco flavours in a shareable casserole format. Tex-Mex cuisine emerged as a natural fusion between the gastronomy of northern Mexico - especially Coahuila, Tamaulipas and Nuevo Leon - and the Anglo-Texan culinary culture of the 19th century. Cowboys and farm workers, both Mexican and Anglo, shared camps and food, blending the techniques and flavours of both traditions. Taco Pie reflects this fusion perfectly: it uses Mexican spices and ingredients (cumin, chilli powder, garlic, beans) but presents them in the American casserole format with layers of gratinated cheese and a crispy tortilla base. From the 1970s, when Tex-Mex food became enormously popular across North America, Taco Pie became a family dinner and potluck staple. Its ease of preparation, affordable ingredients and ability to feed a crowd have kept it a firm favourite. Today it is a symbol of border culinary heritage: neither purely Mexican nor purely American, but something entirely its own.

Estimated cost

£12.00

Total cost

£2.00

Per serving

* Approximate prices based on UK supermarkets

Nutritional information per serving

450

Calories

24g

Protein

38g

Carbohydrates

22g

Fat

Fibre

820mg

Sodium

* Approximate values. May vary depending on ingredients used.

Method

1
Preheat the oven to 190°C. In a large frying pan, brown the beef mince with the chopped onion and garlic over medium-high heat, breaking up any lumps. Drain off the excess fat.
2
Add the taco seasoning (or a mix of cumin, chilli powder, paprika, oregano and salt), the crushed tomatoes and 60ml of water. Cook over medium heat for 8 minutes until thickened. The mixture should be dry, not wet, so the pie does not become soggy.
3
In a greased 23cm round cake tin, arrange a layer of maize tortillas cut to cover the base and sides, overlapping them slightly.
4
Spread the refried beans over the tortilla base. Distribute the seasoned beef mince evenly on top.
5
Cover with another layer of tortillas, then spread on the soured cream and half the grated cheese. Repeat the layers and finish with a generous topping of cheese. Use cheddar mixed with manchego for best flavour.
6
Bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbling. Leave to rest for 10 minutes before cutting. Serve with guacamole, red salsa and pickled jalapeños.