Thanksgiving may be in the rearview mirror, but who needs a holiday to enjoy some cartoon-inspired cuisine? Inspired by Meatwad from Aqua Teen Hunger Force, who hilariously declared they “ain’t American yet” and skip Thanksgiving, we’re diving into a dish I’d never heard of before encountering that iconic episode: Taco Pie. While Cartoon Nori Food might conjure images of meticulously crafted bento boxes, sometimes cartoon food is about embracing the delightfully bizarre and unexpected, just like this recipe.
Essentially, Taco Pie is a comforting casserole, a pie shell brimming with savory ground beef, melted cheese, and hearty beans, all baked to golden perfection. Think of it as Frito pie’s more structured cousin, swapping out Fritos for a traditional pie crust base. Then comes the fun part – topping it with fresh lettuce, juicy tomatoes, fiery chilis, creamy avocado, and, of course, even more cheese! Meatwad’s description is less refined: “We got a bunch of tacos we smushed up with a hammer with crackers on top.” He even mentions adding “food coloring, cause it’s a holiday. But it turned black because I added all the food coloring I had.” The cartoon visuals show a black-filled pie with taco shells on top, not crackers. Let’s navigate this delicious confusion together!
Ingredients
- 1 pre-made pie shell
- 1 lb ground beef (approximately 500 grams)
- 1 jalapeno pepper, finely diced
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or your favorite blend)
- 1 can (16 oz) refried beans
- 2 hard taco shells
- Food coloring (optional, for Meatwad’s artistic interpretation)
Directions
- Pre-bake the Pie Shell: Follow the instructions on the pie shell packaging for blind baking. This ensures a crispy crust.
- Warm the Refried Beans: Gently heat the refried beans in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. Set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a skillet, sauté the chopped onion over medium heat until translucent. Add the diced jalapeno and cook for another few minutes until fragrant.
- Brown the Beef: Increase the heat to medium-high, add the ground beef to the skillet, and brown it thoroughly, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain off any excess grease to prevent a soggy pie.
- Assemble the Pie: Layer the cooked ground beef evenly over the pre-baked pie crust. Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheese over the beef, followed by a layer of warmed refried beans. Top with the remaining cheese.
- Bake: Bake in a preheated oven at 325°F (160°C) for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and top with hard taco shells for that authentic cartoon-inspired presentation. You can also add lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, or any of your favorite taco toppings.
For a truly Meatwad-esque experience, you could mix a small slice with all the food coloring you can find. The result might be… unique, as seen in the cartoon!
While perhaps not the most visually appealing option, this experimental approach stays true to the spirit of Aqua Teen Hunger Force. The regular taco pie, however, is genuinely delicious. It’s definitely an indulgent dish, not an everyday health food, but perfect for a fun, cartoon-themed meal. And while this Taco Pie doesn’t use nori, remember that cartoon food can be anything you imagine! From using nori to create character faces on rice balls to crafting whimsical shapes with vegetables, the possibilities are endless.
Cromulence Factor: 7 out of 10 “Hustlin Tom Turkeys”
Inspired by: Taco Pie from Aqua Teen Hunger Force (Season 2 – Episode 21)
