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Irresistible Dorito Taco Pie: The Ultimate Family-Friendly Dinner Recipe

If you’re searching for an exciting and incredibly delicious twist on classic taco night, look no further! This Dorito Taco Pie recipe is an absolute game-changer, guaranteed to become a new family favorite. Combining the beloved crunchy, cheesy flavor of Nacho Cheese Doritos with savory taco-seasoned beef, a creamy and zesty sour cream layer, and plenty of gooey melted cheese, all baked within a golden crescent dough crust, this pie delivers an explosion of flavor and texture in every bite. It’s incredibly simple to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknights, yet impressive enough to serve guests. Both kids and adults alike will be asking for seconds of this delightful casserole. Get ready to transform your dinner routine with this irresistible creation!

Imagine a hearty, satisfying meal that brings together all the best elements of a taco in a convenient, sliceable pie. The secret lies in the layers: a crispy Dorito base, a rich beef filling, a cool and tangy cream, and a final topping of cheese and more Doritos for that signature crunch. It’s comfort food elevated to new heights, delivering a satisfying crunch with every forkful. Whether you’re a long-time Dorito enthusiast or just looking for a fun, easy-to-make dish, this Dorito Taco Pie is designed to please. Let’s dive into how you can bring this amazing dish to your dinner table tonight and discover why it’s a must-try for any lover of Tex-Mex flavors.

Essential Ingredients for Your Flavorful Dorito Taco Pie

Crafting this Dorito Taco Pie doesn’t require a long list of exotic items. Most ingredients are likely staples in your pantry or easily found at any grocery store. Here’s what you’ll need to create this incredibly satisfying meal, along with some helpful notes and substitution ideas:

• Ground Beef: We recommend using 1 pound of lean ground beef (80/20 or 90/10) to minimize excess grease. However, any fat percentage will work; just be sure to drain thoroughly. For a lighter meal, feel free to substitute with ground turkey or ground chicken, adjusting cooking times as needed until no pink remains.
• Taco Seasoning: Two tablespoons of a pre-packaged taco seasoning mix make this recipe incredibly quick and easy, infusing the beef with authentic Mexican-inspired flavors. If you prefer to make your own, a blend of chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of cayenne for extra spice works wonderfully.
• Water: About ⅓ cup of water is added with the taco seasoning to help it dissolve and create a rich, saucy coating for the beef. This ensures the meat remains moist and flavorful.
• Nacho Cheese Doritos: This is arguably the most exciting ingredient! You’ll need about 2 cups of crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos. Their iconic cheesy, savory crunch forms both a delicious crust and a topping. While Nacho Cheese is classic, feel free to experiment with other flavors like Cool Ranch or Spicy Nacho Doritos for a different flavor profile. Make sure to crush them before use—a rolling pin in a zip-top bag is ideal for this.
• Crescent Dough: One can of crescent dough is needed for the pie crust. You can often find crescent dough sheets in the refrigerated section of most supermarkets, which are perfect for this application. If only regular crescent rolls are available, simply unroll them and pinch the seams together firmly to form a solid sheet that fits your pie dish.
• Salsa or Taco Sauce: About ⅓ cup of your favorite salsa (mild, medium, or hot) or classic taco sauce adds moisture and a tangy, zesty kick to the creamy layer. Choose a flavor that complements your spice preference.
• Sour Cream: ¾ cup of sour cream creates a wonderfully creamy and cool layer that perfectly balances the rich beef and spicy Doritos. For a slightly healthier or tangier option, plain Greek yogurt can be used as a substitute, offering a similar texture and zest.
• Mexican-Style Cheese: ¾ cup of shredded Mexican-style cheese blend (typically cheddar, Monterey Jack, Colby, and queso blanco) is perfect for melting and adding that gooey, cheesy goodness to your pie. Any shredded cheese you have on hand, such as sharp cheddar, a mild mozzarella blend, or even Pepper Jack for an extra kick, will also work beautifully.
• Butter: ¼ cup of melted butter, drizzled over the top Doritos, adds a rich flavor and helps them crisp up beautifully in the oven, enhancing the overall texture and taste of the crust.

How to Make This Delicious Dorito Taco Pie

Making this Dorito Taco Pie is surprisingly simple, yet it yields a gourmet-tasting result that looks like you spent hours in the kitchen. Follow these straightforward steps to create a meal that will impress everyone with its layers of flavor and satisfying crunch:

Step 1: Prepare the Taco Meat

Begin by preheating your oven to 325°F (160°C). This ensures the oven is ready when your pie is assembled. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat. Use a wooden spoon or meat chopper to break it up into small, even crumbles as it cooks. Continue cooking until it’s thoroughly browned and no pink remains, typically about 5-7 minutes. Once cooked, it’s crucial to carefully drain any excess grease from the pan; this prevents your pie from becoming oily and ensures a better texture. Return the beef to the skillet, add the taco seasoning and the ⅓ cup of water, and stir well to combine. Let it simmer for a few minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the liquid to be absorbed, which creates a rich, moist, and savory taco filling. Set the seasoned meat aside while you prepare the pie crust.

Step 2: Assemble the Crust and First Layer

Lightly spray a 9-inch pie dish with a nonstick cooking spray to prevent any sticking, ensuring your pie releases easily. Carefully unroll the crescent dough into the pie dish, pressing it gently to cover the bottom and extend slightly up the sides. If you’re using individual crescent rolls, unroll each one and then firmly pinch together all the seams to form a cohesive, solid sheet that acts as your pie crust. Next, take your Nacho Cheese Doritos and crush them. For the best texture, don’t aim for a fine powder; instead, create a mix of coarse crumbs and small pieces for maximum crunch. A rolling pin used over a zip-top bag filled with Doritos works perfectly for this. Sprinkle about half of the crushed Doritos evenly over the crescent dough in the pie dish. This layer will create a delightful, crunchy Dorito crust at the base of your pie, adding an extra dimension of flavor and texture.

Step 3: Layer the Fillings

Evenly spread the cooked, taco-seasoned ground beef over the crushed Dorito layer in the pie dish. Make sure it’s spread from edge to edge to ensure every slice gets a good portion of meat. In a small separate bowl, combine the sour cream and salsa (or taco sauce), stirring until they are well blended and smooth. This creamy and zesty mixture will add a cool, tangy contrast to the rich beef and spicy Doritos, creating a balanced flavor profile. Carefully spread this sour cream mixture over the ground beef layer, ensuring it’s evenly distributed across the entire surface of the pie. Next, generously sprinkle the shredded Mexican-style cheese over the sour cream layer. This will melt into a gooey, irresistible topping as the pie bakes, binding all the delicious flavors together.

Step 4: The Final Touches and Baking

After layering the cheese, sprinkle the remaining crushed Doritos over the top. This top layer of Doritos will provide an extra burst of flavor and a fantastic crispy texture once baked, creating a double crunch effect. Drizzle the melted butter evenly over these top Doritos. This not only adds a rich, buttery flavor but also helps the Doritos achieve a beautiful golden brown and extra crisp texture in the oven. Finally, gently fold the edges of the crescent dough over the filling, creating a sealed crust around the pie. This helps to hold all the delicious layers together during baking and creates a rustic, appealing presentation.

Place the pie dish into your preheated oven and bake for approximately 25-30 minutes, or until the crescent dough is golden brown, the cheese is bubbly and fully melted, and the top Doritos are nicely crisped. Keep a close eye on the crust during the last few minutes to ensure it doesn’t overbrown. Once baked, carefully remove the pie from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes (about 5-10 minutes) before slicing into wedges. This brief resting period allows the layers to set, making for cleaner slices.

Serving Your Dorito Taco Pie

This Dorito Taco Pie is a meal in itself, hearty and satisfying. However, it truly shines when served with your favorite fresh taco toppings. Garnish each warm slice with crisp chopped lettuce, a generous dollop of extra sour cream or plain Greek yogurt, diced fresh tomatoes, creamy homemade or store-bought guacamole, a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, or even some thinly sliced jalapeños for an added kick of spice. The combination of the warm, savory pie with cool, fresh toppings creates a delightful contrast in temperature and texture that enhances the overall eating experience. This pie is fantastic for weeknight family dinners, casual gatherings, potlucks, or even game day festivities!

Tips and Variations for Your Perfect Dorito Taco Pie

While this recipe is incredibly straightforward, a few expert tips can elevate your Dorito Taco Pie even further. Don’t hesitate to get creative with these variations to customize it to your family’s taste:

• Crushing Doritos for Texture: For the best eating experience, avoid crushing the Doritos into a fine powder. Aim for a desirable mix of coarse crumbs and small, intact pieces. This ensures you get that satisfying crunch in every bite, adding a wonderful textural contrast to the soft fillings.
• Preventing a Soggy Crust: The key to a non-soggy bottom crust is two-fold: first, ensure your ground beef is thoroughly drained of all excess grease. Second, applying half of the crushed Doritos directly on the crescent dough acts as a barrier, absorbing any residual moisture and helping to keep the bottom crust perfectly crisp.
• Spice It Up: If you and your family enjoy heat, there are several ways to intensify the spice level. You can add a pinch of cayenne pepper to your taco meat, opt for a “hot” variety of taco seasoning, or choose a spicy salsa for the sour cream mixture. A layer of thinly sliced jalapeños (fresh or pickled) placed between the beef and sour cream can also add a pleasant zing without overpowering the dish.
• Vegetarian Option: This recipe is easily adaptable for vegetarian diets. Simply substitute the ground beef with an equal amount of plant-based ground crumbles, or use a hearty mixture of seasoned black beans and corn. Ensure your vegetarian filling is well-seasoned with taco spices to mimic the savory depth of the original.
• Cheese Variations: Don’t feel limited to a Mexican-style cheese blend. Pepper Jack cheese will add a delightful kick, while a sharp cheddar provides a rich, tangy flavor that pairs beautifully with the taco spices. For an adventurous twist, even a smoky gouda or a mild provolone could offer an interesting and unique flavor profile.
• Add More Vegetables: For added flavor, texture, and nutrients, consider incorporating finely diced bell peppers (any color) or onions into your ground beef mixture while it’s cooking. Sauté them until softened before adding the taco seasoning.
• Make Mini Taco Pies: For individual servings, which are perfect for appetizers, lunchboxes, or portion control, consider using a muffin tin. Cut the crescent dough into smaller squares or circles that fit into the muffin cups, then layer the ingredients as directed. Reduce baking time accordingly, usually around 15-20 minutes, until golden.

More Delicious Mexican-Inspired Recipes to Try

If you loved the flavor and ease of this Dorito Taco Pie, you’re sure to enjoy these other fantastic Mexican-inspired dishes from our collection. They are perfect for adding more vibrant flavors to your meal rotation:

• Vegetarian Mexican Casserole
• Slow Cooker Mexican Pasta
• One-Pot Mexican Quinoa

★★★★☆
4.84 from 6 votes

Dorito Taco Pie

By: Julia Pacheco

With taco-seasoned beef, a spicy sour cream layer, lots of cheese, and a crunchy Dorito crust, this Dorito Taco Pie is guaranteed to be one of your family’s favorite meals.

Prep: 20 mins

Cook: 25 mins

Total: 45 mins

Servings: 4 servings

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Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 tbsp taco seasoning
• ⅓ cup water
• 2 cups Nacho Cheese Doritos, crushed
• 1 can crescent dough
• ⅓ cup salsa or taco sauce
• ¾ cup sour cream
• ¾ cup Mexican-style cheese, shredded
• ¼ cup butter, melted

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Prepare a 9-inch pie pan by lightly spraying it with nonstick spray.
2. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Cook the ground beef until thoroughly browned, breaking it up into crumbles. Drain any excess grease. Add the taco seasoning and water, stir, and let it simmer for a few minutes until the liquid is absorbed and flavors are well combined.
3. Unroll the crescent dough into the prepared pie dish, pressing firmly to seal any seams and cover the bottom and sides.
4. Sprinkle half of the crushed Doritos evenly over the crescent dough to form the bottom crust.
5. Layer the seasoned ground beef over the Doritos.
6. In a small bowl, stir together the sour cream and salsa (or taco sauce) until smooth. Spread this mixture evenly over the ground beef.
7. Sprinkle the shredded Mexican-style cheese over the sour cream layer.
8. Top with the remaining crushed Doritos. Drizzle the melted butter over these Doritos.
9. Carefully fold the edges of the crescent dough over the filling to create a crust around the pie.
10. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the crescent dough is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
11. Remove from oven, let cool for a few minutes, then slice into wedges. Serve hot with your favorite taco toppings like chopped lettuce, extra sour cream, chopped tomatoes, and guacamole.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 904kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 68g | Saturated Fat: 30g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 21g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 156mg | Sodium: 1191mg | Potassium: 500mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 983IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 251mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.