Easy Ways to Customize It
Ground turkey or chicken can replace the beef.
For a vegetarian version, use ingredients such as black beans, pinto beans, corn, and sautéed peppers.
You can also add vegetables to the meat mixture, including bell peppers, green chiles, corn, or jalapeños. Just avoid adding too much extra moisture.
For more heat, use Pepper Jack cheese, spicy salsa, or additional jalapeños.
And if you don’t have packaged taco seasoning, a mixture of chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper works well.
Tips for the Best Texture
Drain excess grease from the beef so the finished pie doesn’t become heavy or oily.
Don’t overmix the batter—whisk only until smooth.
Freshly shredded cheese generally melts particularly well.
Most importantly, don’t overbake it. The center should be set, but the pie should still remain tender rather than dry.
