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Prep Time: 20 minutes
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Cook Time: 45 minutes
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Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
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Difficulty: Easy
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Servings: 6-8
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Intensity: Low-to-moderate effort, with most time being hands-off baking.
Introduction
Forget the bun—this Ultimate Carnivore Bacon Cheeseburger Pie delivers every iconic, savory flavor of a fully-loaded bacon cheeseburger in a rich, satisfying, fork-and-knife form. A golden, buttery crust cradles a hearty filling of seasoned ground beef, crispy bacon, and creamy cheese, all bound together with a rich egg custard. It’s the ultimate comfort food for a weekend family dinner or a crowd-pleasing centerpiece at your next gathering. This recipe is straightforward but delivers maximum, carnivorous impact.
Ingredients
For the Crust:
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1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
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½ teaspoon salt
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½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cubed
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4-5 tablespoons ice water
For the Filling:
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1 lb (450g) ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
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8 oz (225g) thick-cut bacon, diced
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1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 teaspoon salt
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½ teaspoon black pepper
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1 teaspoon paprika
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2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
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½ cup dill pickle chips, plus more for garnish
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1 ½ cups (6 oz) shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
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1 cup (4 oz) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
For the Custard:
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3 large eggs
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1 cup half-and-half or whole milk
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1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
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1 teaspoon yellow mustard
For Garnish (Optional):
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Shredded lettuce
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Sliced tomato
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Extra pickle chips
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Drizzle of burger sauce or ketchup
Instructions
1. Prepare the Crust
Time: 15 minutes (plus 30 minutes chilling) | Intensity: Low
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In a large bowl or food processor, combine the flour and salt.
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Add the cold, cubed butter. Using a pastry cutter, fork, or pulsing the food processor, work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized butter pieces remaining.
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Gradually add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing just until the dough begins to clump together.
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Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, gather it into a ball, and flatten into a disc. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
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Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
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On a floured surface, roll the chilled dough into a 12-inch circle. Carefully transfer it to a 9-inch pie dish. Gently press it into the bottom and sides. Trim any excess overhang, then crimp the edges as desired. Prick the bottom of the crust several times with a fork. Line with parchment paper or foil and fill with pie weights or dried beans.
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Par-bake for 15 minutes. Carefully remove the weights and parchment. Set aside.
2. Cook the Filling
Time: 15 minutes | Intensity: Moderate (active cooking)
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While the crust chills/par-bakes, cook the diced bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of the bacon fat.
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In the same skillet, add the chopped onion to the reserved bacon fat. Cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
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Increase heat to medium-high and add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Cook until the beef is no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
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Sprinkle the 2 tablespoons of flour over the cooked beef and onion mixture. Stir and cook for 1 minute to eliminate the raw flour taste.
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Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in the cooked bacon, pickle chips, 1 cup of the shredded cheddar, and all of the Monterey Jack cheese. Let cool slightly.
3. Assemble & Bake
Time: 5 minutes assembly + 40-45 minutes baking | Intensity: Low (hands-off)
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In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard until smooth.
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Spread the slightly cooled meat mixture evenly into the par-baked pie crust.
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Slowly and evenly pour the egg custard mixture over the meat. It will seep down into the filling.
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Top with the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
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Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 40-45 minutes, or until the center is set (a knife inserted near the center should come out clean) and the top is beautifully golden brown.
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Crucially, let the pie rest for at least 15-20 minutes before slicing. This allows the custard to fully set, ensuring clean, perfect slices. Garnish individual slices with optional lettuce, tomato, extra pickles, and a drizzle of sauce.
Nutrition Information (Per Serving, based on 8 servings)
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Calories: ~680 kcal
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Total Fat: 48g
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Saturated Fat: 24g
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Cholesterol: 215mg
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Sodium: 1050mg
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Total Carbohydrates: 28g
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Dietary Fiber: 1g
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Sugars: 3g
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Protein: 34g