This past week, many people celebrated March 14 (3.14) as National Pi day. I’m not a math nerd, but I like a reason to celebrate, and so, Pi Day fits the bill.
In the past, I’ve made pies: pumpkin (hubby’s favorite,) blueberry (our granddaughter who happens to stay with us most years on this day loves this kind,) and apple (my favorite.)
Last Wednesday, Pi Day, I went to the cupboard, but the cupboard was bare. No pumpkin on hand – what was I thinking? I can’t make pies without making at least one pumpkin. Then, I remembered a silly poem:
Roses are red, violets are blue. Poetry is hard. Bacon.
I had bacon in the refrigerator. So, no dessert for us that day. Instead, we enjoyed…
Bacon Cheeseburger Pie – serves 4 – 6 people (at our house – it’s 4)
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound frozen southern style hash browns or 1 1/4 pounds fresh potatoes, shredded (I use fresh)
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed oregano
- 1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 large egg, slightly beaten
- 1 pound ground beef (I use ground round)
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder or 1 small onion chopped
- 1 Tablespoon water
- 1 Tablespoon flour (I use whole wheat)
- 1 8 ounce can tomato sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
- dash of black pepper
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 4-6 sliced bacon, fried, drained, and broken into pieces
Preheat oven to 400 degree. Melt butter in large skillet. Add olive oil and potatoes. Cook until the bottom is browned and the potatoes cooked. Cook til second side is browned. Remove from heat. Stir in salt, oregano, 1/8 tsp pepper, and 1/3 c. shredded cheese. Cool about 3 minutes. Add beaten egg. Press into greased pie plate and bake 15 minutes or until golden brown.
While this bakes, prepare filling. If using chopped onion, add 1 T. olive oil and saute onion until soft. Add ground beef and brown. If using onion powder, brown ground beef and then add onion powder. Drain and return to skillet. Mix flour with water; add to meat with tomato sauce, seasoned salt, and dash of pepper to taste. Cook and stir until thickened. When potato shell is browned, remove from oven. Fill hot potato shell with meat mixture. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese. Return to oven until cheese is melted – about 3 minutes. Remove from oven. Sprinkle with bacon pieces. Let sit 3 minutes before cutting into wedges.
I’ve adapted this recipe over the years. Feel free to adapt it to your taste. Enjoy!
Virginia
Virginia Pillars, Author 