South of the Border Pie - Real Life Dinner

I had almost forgotten about this super fun and simple dinner until a few weeks ago when my friend posted about making South of the Border Pie for her daughter who had just gotten back from a long trip. I love it when something like that happens to jog my memory of something I love but have forgotten about. If you like this easy recipe, you’ll also like this Skillet Taco and Rice Dinner.

South of the Border Pie is a simple and yummy dinner that kids typically devour. Traditional recipes are meatless and make an excellent option for vegetarians if you are having a Mexican-food-themed party or a taco bar. When I make it, I add ground beef because that is how my family likes it. You could easily adapt this recipe back to vegetarian by eliminating the meat, if you prefer the vegetarian version.

We like to serve this simple meal with salad and tortilla chips. It also works great to wrap up in tortillas. My 4-year-old has been pretty picky lately, and he gobbled this up and had thirds. It just earned itself a seat at our table at least bi-weekly with that kind of love from the 4-year-old. I hope you will make this pie soon. It really couldn’t be easier and is a perfect weeknight meal!

Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes

Step-by-Step Photos for How to Make South of the Border Pie

Tips for How to Make South of the Border Pie

You can either use a large deep-dish pie dish or two regular-sized.
If you use two regular-sized pie pans, it will take 20-25 minutes for the center to set. If you’re using a deep-dish pie pan, it will most likely take 30 minutes.
When adding the egg mixture to the meat and bean mixture, quickly combine the two and pour it immediately into the pie pan(s). You don’t want the egg to start cooking on your hot skillet.
You can use black beans, dark red kidney beans, or even pinto beans in this recipe.
Serve with your favorite corn chips.

Chef’s Tools:

South of the Border Pie

Prep time

20 mins

Cook time

25 mins

Total time

45 mins

Ground beef, black beans, cheese, and rice seasoned with your favorite Mexican food flavors and all held together with a milk and egg mixture that turns it into a pie. It's a win in everyone's book!

Recipe type: Mexican/Dinner

Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1 large onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 tsp chili powder
1½ tsp ground cumin
1½ tsp garlic salt
1 can black beans or dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1½ cups cooked rice
2 cups of cheese, divided
2 eggs
¾ cup milk

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a deep 9-inch pie pan or 2 regular-sized pie pans with cooking spray.
In a large skillet, brown the hamburger with onions and garlic.
Once it is browned and onions are tender, drain off the fat.
Next, add chili powder, ground cumin, and garlic salt. Cook for 1 minute to bring out the flavors of the spices.
Remove from heat and mix in the black beans and rice.
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and 1 cup of cheese.
Next, pour the egg mixture over the meat mixture and quickly combine everything. Then immediately pour it into the pie pan(s). (You don't want the egg to start cooking on your hot skillet.)
Bake in the 350-degree oven for 25 minutes or until the center is set. If using a deep pie pan, this will most likely take 30 minutes. If you divide it into 2 regular pie pans, you may want to check it at 20 minutes.
Once the center is set, sprinkle cheese over the top of the pie and let it stay in the oven for a minute or two until the cheese melts.
Let cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.
Enjoy!