suemunzlinger's Recipe

Taco Pie with Queso Blanco

Category: Main Dish

CRUST INGREDIENT

4 tablespoons butter
2/3 cups milk
1 tablespoon taco seasoning
2 1/2 cups potato flakes (instant mashed potatoes)

PIE INGREDIENTS
1 pound lean ground beef
Remaining taco seasoning
2/3 cup fresh salsa
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1 cup queso blanco recipe below

Chopped lettuce and tomato, and crushed Doritos

DIRECTIONS

Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees.
Make the crust by melting butter in a sauce pan. Stir in milk and allow it to heat for a few minutes. Remove the butter/milk mixture from heat and stir in 1 tablespoon taco seasoning and potato flakes.
Stir to combine. Press the mixture in a 9.5 or 10 inch pie plate.
Bake for 10 minutes, or until it starts browning.

While the crust is pre-baking,

cook the ground beef and drain any excess fat.
Stir in remaining taco seasoning, chile powder and salsa.
Pour the mixture into the pre-baked pie crust. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is nice and golden.
While the taco pie is baking, make homemade Queso Blanco, alternatively, you can buy queso from the store.
Spread 1 cup queso blanco over the taco pie.

Top with shredded lettuce, tomato, and crushed Doritos if desired, and serve. It will be tricky to get the pieces of pie out of the dish as it’s more of a crumbly crust than a firm one…but it’s so delicious!

Queso Blanco Dip
1 pound white american cheese, shredded
1/2 cup half and half (more if desired)
1/2-1 tablespoon oil
1 jalapeno, seeds removed diced
1/4 of a small purple onion, diced
1 roma tomato, diced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro (more or less to taste)
Black pepper to taste
Tortilla chips
DIRECTIONS
In a large skillet, heat oil, then saute jalapeno and onion until the pepper is tender and the onion is translucent. Reduce the heat to medium low and add in all of the shredded white american cheese and stir constantly. When the cheese is nearly melted, begin stirring in half and half.
I used about 1/2 cup to get the desired consistency. Use more or less to get the consistency that you are looking for. Add in diced tomato, chopped cilantro, and black pepper. Stir until everything is incorporated and the dip is smooth and creamy.