This Cheeseburger Pie brings together everything you love about burgers in a comforting, fork-friendly dish that will have everyone at the table asking for seconds. With a crispy hash brown crust, savory beef filling, and a velvety butternut squash cheese sauce, this pie transforms a classic American favorite into a satisfying dinner that’s perfect for those busy weeknights when you want something special without all the fuss!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Two Comfort Foods in One: This recipe brilliantly combines the flavors of a juicy cheeseburger with the homey comfort of a savory pie.
Kid-Friendly Winner: Even picky eaters can’t resist the familiar flavors of a cheeseburger transformed into this fun-to-eat pie format.
Hidden Vegetables: The butternut squash cheese sauce sneaks in extra nutrition while maintaining that creamy, cheesy flavor kids and adults crave.
Customizable: Just like your favorite burger, you can top this pie however you like—pickles, lettuce, tomato, bacon—making it perfect for the whole family.
Great for Meal Prep: Make ahead and reheat for an easy weeknight solution when you’re short on time but still want something satisfying.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Frozen Hash Browns: They create a fantastic crispy crust that’s much easier than making pastry from scratch. They’re the perfect vehicle for all those delicious burger flavors.
Ground Beef: The star of any good burger, providing that hearty, satisfying base. Choose a lean-to-medium fat content for the best flavor without excessive grease.
Butternut Squash: The secret ingredient that creates a velvety cheese sauce with added nutrition. It blends perfectly with the cheese for a smooth texture and subtle sweetness.
Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Adds that classic burger tanginess and melty goodness. The sharper the better for maximum flavor impact.
Onion: Adds sweetness and savory depth to the beef filling. Dice it very finely if you have onion-skeptical eaters at your table.
Ketchup and Mustard: These burger essentials bring authentic flavor to the filling. The combo creates that perfect tangy-sweet balance.
Beef Broth: Adds moisture and intensifies the meaty flavor of the filling. The cornstarch helps it thicken into a nice sauce that won’t make your crust soggy.
Garlic Powder: Infuses both the crust and filling with savory notes without the work of mincing fresh garlic.
Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning basics that enhance all the other flavors in the dish.

Variations

Breakfast Cheeseburger Pie

Add scrambled eggs to the filling and top with bacon for a morning-friendly version that combines breakfast and lunch favorites.

Southwest Style

Mix in some black beans, corn, and taco seasoning to the beef mixture, then top with avocado and cilantro after baking for a Mexican-inspired twist.

Mushroom Swiss

Sauté mushrooms with the beef and swap the cheddar for Swiss cheese to recreate another burger classic.

Veggie Version

Replace the beef with a plant-based ground alternative or a hearty mix of sautéed mushrooms and lentils for a satisfying vegetarian option.

For a lighter version, try using sweet potatoes instead of hash browns for the crust, and ground turkey in place of beef.

How to Make Cheeseburger Pie

Step 1: Prepare the Potato Crust

Preheat your oven to 400°F and lightly oil a 9-inch pie dish. Pour the frozen hash browns into the dish, sprinkle with oil, 1 teaspoon of salt, and pepper. Toss everything together, then place on the lower oven rack to bake for 20 minutes. After this initial bake, use the back of a spoon to press the potatoes up the sides of the dish to form a crust, pressing down on the bottom layer. Return to the oven for another 20 minutes until golden and crispy.

Step 2: Make the Butternut Squash Cheese Sauce

While the crust bakes, combine milk, butternut squash, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, and pepper in a small pot. Simmer over medium-low heat for 10-12 minutes until the squash becomes tender. Keep an eye on it to prevent boiling over! Once tender, puree the mixture using an immersion blender or stand blender (remember to vent if using a stand blender). Return to the pot if needed, then whisk in the shredded cheddar until completely melted and smooth.

Step 3: Cook the Burger Filling

In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Add the finely diced onion, remaining salt and garlic powder, ketchup, and mustard. Continue cooking for 3 minutes until the onions soften. Sprinkle in the cornstarch and stir well, then pour in the beef broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up all those flavorful bits from the bottom. Cook for one more minute until slightly thickened, then remove from heat.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake

Spoon the beef mixture into your crispy potato crust, then pour the butternut squash cheese sauce over the top, spreading it evenly. For extra cheesiness, sprinkle additional shredded cheddar on top. Bake for 15 minutes until the cheese is melty and bubbly. Let cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing to allow the pie to set up properly.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Slice into wedges and serve with all your favorite burger toppings—shredded lettuce, tomato slices, crispy bacon, pickle chips, extra ketchup and mustard. The possibilities are endless!

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Drain the Beef: After cooking the ground beef, drain excess fat before adding other ingredients to prevent a greasy pie.
Crispy Crust Secret: For an extra-crispy hash brown crust, squeeze out any excess moisture from the hash browns before baking.
Smooth Sauce: Ensure your butternut squash is very tender before blending for the smoothest cheese sauce possible.
Make It Personal: Set up a topping bar so everyone can customize their slice with their favorite burger toppings.
Rest Before Serving: Allow the pie to rest for 5-10 minutes after baking so it holds together better when sliced.

How to Serve

Burger-Style Toppings

Set out bowls of traditional burger toppings so everyone can dress their slice: shredded lettuce, tomato slices, pickle chips, crumbled bacon, sliced avocado, and extra condiments.

Side Dishes

Pair with a simple green salad for a lighter meal, or embrace the diner experience with a side of sweet potato fries or onion rings.

Delicious Drinks

Serve with homemade milkshakes for a complete burger joint experience at home, or a cold beer for the adults at the table.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep leftover pie covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually meld nicely overnight, making for a delicious next-day lunch.

Freezing

This pie freezes beautifully! After baking, cool completely, then wrap individual slices or the entire pie (minus any fresh toppings) in foil and freeze for up to 2 months.

Reheating

For best results, thaw overnight in the refrigerator if frozen. Reheat individual slices in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or place the whole pie in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes until heated through. To maintain the crust’s crispiness, consider reheating in a toaster oven if available.

FAQs

Can I make this with fresh potatoes instead of frozen hash browns?
Absolutely! Grate fresh potatoes, rinse them well, then pat very dry with paper towels. Toss with a bit of extra oil and increase the initial baking time by about 5-10 minutes to ensure they cook through properly.

My family doesn’t like butternut squash. Will they taste it in the cheese sauce?
The butternut squash adds creaminess more than flavor in this recipe. The cheese is definitely the dominant taste, so most people won’t even realize the squash is there. If you’re concerned, you can start with half the amount or substitute with cauliflower as mentioned in the recipe notes.

Can I make this gluten-free?
This recipe is naturally gluten-free as written, assuming you check that your hash browns and other packaged ingredients don’t contain any hidden gluten. The cornstarch used as a thickener is already a gluten-free option.

How can I make this recipe lighter or healthier?
Try using lean ground turkey or chicken instead of beef, reduce the cheese by a third, and add extra vegetables to the filling like grated zucchini or chopped spinach. You could also use sweet potato hash browns for added nutrition.

Final Thoughts

This Cheeseburger Pie brings together the nostalgic flavors of an American classic with the practicality of a weeknight dinner. It’s the perfect solution when you’re craving burgers but want something a little different that brings the whole family to the table. With its crispy potato crust, savory beef filling, and surprisingly nutritious cheese sauce, it’s comfort food with a clever twist. Whether served for a casual family dinner or as the star of your next gathering, this pie is sure to become a requested favorite!

Cheeseburger Pie Recipe