Impossible Pies were all the rage in the '70's. They're so easy, and now you can make macaroni and cheese without cooking the pasta first. Impossibly, so it seems, it forms its own crust while it bakes.
This is the perfect family night dinner during the week that will make everyone at the table happy.
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โWhat Are Impossible Pies?
Impossible Pies were a thing in the 1970's, thanks to the folks at Bisquick printing a recipe for one on its boxes, if only because they are impossibly easy to make (and delicious!).
Essentially, you mix together a bunch of ingredients including Bisquick, pour it all into a baking dish, and it (impossibly) forms its own crust as it bakes, into two delicious layers of pie, as you can see in the above photo.
โค๏ธ Why you'll love this recipe
- You don't need to pre-cook the macaroni noodles.
- Mix everything together in one bowl, and dump it into a baking dish.
- This dish is the ultimate comfort food, and very kid-friendly.
- Uses ingredients you may already have on hand.
- There's only 15 minutes of prep before sliding it into the oven, and even less if you buy pre-grated cheese.
๐ง Ingredients + Notes
- Grated cheddar cheese - you can get pre-grated cheddar cheese to save time, but the dish will taste cheesier if you grate your own cheese. Pre-grated cheese includes cellulose as an anti-caking agent which mutes the flavor.
- Macaroni noodles - uncooked!
- Milk - either 2% or whole milk is fine.
- Eggs
- Bisquick mix
- Spices
- Parmesan cheese
- Frozen pre-shredded potatoes (optional)
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๐ช Recommended Equipment
โฐ Tips to Simplify and Save Time
- Purchase pre-grated cheddar cheese.
๐ฝ Side Dish Ideas
Tomatoes and cheesy dishes are a great combination, so either balsamic roasted tomatoes or small bowls of Roasted Tomato Soup served on the side works great.
Steamed broccoli.
Blistered shishito peppers - omit the cheese since you have plenty of cheese going on in the Impossible Pie.
Marinated roasted red peppers offers a great contrast in flavors with the mac and cheese.
Freshly baked bread is always a hit. If you're interested in making a yeasted bread, these Parmesan and Garlic Rolls are irresistible, as is this Aglio e Olio Pizza Bread.
These zesty roasted zucchini sticks is another idea if it's summertime when you make this dish.
Fried onion rings - I don't have a recipe for them, but they'd be great with this casserole.
Or serve this Mac and Cheese Impossible Pie as a side dish to these Vegan Sloppy Joes for a winner dinner!
๐ More Mac and Cheese Recipes You Might Like
If you like Indian food, infuse the sauce with a little curry powder, like in this Curried Cauliflower Mac and Cheese main dish. It also has a little heat from a Fresno chile, but you can nix that if you prefer no heat in your mac and cheese.
Bang-Bang Cauliflower Mac 'n Cheese
Jalapeรฑo Mac and Cheese Bites
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Mac 'n Cheese Impossible Pie
Equipment
- box grater
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup uncooked large elbow macaroni
- 2 ยผ cups 2% milk
- 4 large eggs
- ยฝ cup Bisquick baking mix
- ยผ teaspoon onion powder
- ยผ teaspoon garlic powder
- ยผ teaspoon Hungarian paprika
- โ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ยผ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup frozen shredded potatoes thawed (optional)
- 1 tablespoon slivered basil (optional)
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400หF, and coat a 10-inch pie dish with butter. Place on a baking sheet.
- Place the uncooked macaroni in the pie dish, and add the cheese and toss a bit. Thoroughly stir the remaining ingredients EXCEPT THE BASIL in a 4-cup measuring cup, and pour over the macaroni and cheese. Push down any macaroni on the surface - it must all be covered with liquid.
- Bake for 40 - 50 minutes until the top is all puffy, and the macaroni are completely cooked. A knife inserted into the pie should come out clean. I tented foil over the pie after 20 minutes to keep it from browning too much.
- Cool for 15 minutes before slicing and serving. (Optional) Sprinkle a little slivered basil over the pie just before serving.
Lynn @ Turnips 2 Tangerines
Happy Reveal Day and Happy Memorial Day~
I also remember the "impossible" pies from the 70's made with Bisquick. my sister made them often, and I've made a few. This sounds absolutely delicious~ Have fun in Group A~ Lynn @ Turnips 2 Tangerines
Karen @ Karen's Kitchen Stories
Oh man! We'll miss you in group D! I'm glad we both stalked each other's blogs before you had to switch =)
On another note, I've never heard of impossible pies, but now I'm definitely going to have to try one. Thanks for introducing them to me.. via Dorothy of course!
Norma Chang
I too have never heard of impossible pies. How did it acquire the name?
SallyBR
Oh, that make me sad.... you are leaving our group?????
really really sad to hear that.
but, it doesn't matter because I will be following you no matter what. So there!
as to your choice for this month, WOW! I will take all the crust, yes, thank you....
Melissa
I remember having pies made with bisquick growing up, but my parents just called them a quiche, so I've never heard the name "impossible" pie, but I like it. I especially love the mac and cheese part! Sad to hear you are leaving us, but enjoy your new group. I'll definitely still be visiting! ๐
Dorothy ShockinglyDelicious
Susan....how fun that you had my blog this month! I do love a good impossible pie, and you picked one of my favorites. Yours looks absolutely delectable, and I like the added spud feature. Thanks for showcasing it so well.
Will miss you in Group D, but I always know where to find you. You can run, but you can't hide. ๐
Karen Burns-Booth
I LOVE impossible pies, all of them , sweet and savoury! What a fab seasonal recipe for SRC too! Karen
Liz
Thank you for this lovely and easy recipe.
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie
So in love with this impossible pie! Can never go wrong with mac and cheese, and now topped with potatoes!?
Sarah E
*DROOL*
That pic by the recipe itself looks unbelievable!! The layers - SWOON!
Happy Reveal Day, Susan! ๐
Laura Dembowski
Potato is such an interesting addition to this dish. A cool way to make macaroni and cheese too.
Wendy, A Day in the Life on the Farm
I have made Impossible pies....Chicken and Broccoli and Cheeseburger but never would I have thought to make a Mac and Cheese Impossible Pie...so glad you chose that recipe to share with us. See you next week I guess when you post for Group A. We will miss you here Susan.
kirstin
Oh my goodness....this looks good, but I think my hubby would say no...lol
Couscous & Consciousness
Oh yummo. I often make an Impossible Citrus Pie - in fact, it's pretty much my go-to dessert when I'm having guests, since it's always a guaranteed "no-fail" and everyone love it. I've never made a savoury impossible pie though, but now I can't wait to try this. Love the sound of the Greek version too.
Sorry to hear that you are moving to another group, but I will still be sure to drop by for regular visits.
Emily @ Life on Food
We will miss you!! Great last post with another delicious pick! You cannot go wrong with a good mac and cheese recipe!
Tara
How interesting, I have never heard of impossible pie. looks delicious! We will miss you in group d!
Sue Lau
Looks really good! Kind of makes me think of a cross between mac & cheese and quiche, two of my fav foods. Great choice for reveal day!
Rebekah @ Making Miracles
I am so making this. My 20 month old is stuck on pasta and cheese right now, so I imagine even she would eat this fantastic dish!
Lynsey @ Lynsey Lou's
So sad that you're leaving. Good luck in group A!
This is the 3rd or 4th time I've heard of the impossible pie lately, I'm intrigued and I must try it for myself soon. I love this savory version with mac and cheese and I know it would be a hit with my macaroni obsessed little guy!
nicole @ i am a honey bee
Oh my goodness.
This pie looks awesome. I want a big slice!
Great pick this month!
mjskitchen
I missed the Impossible Pies in the 70s as well. But it certainly does sound like some of the methods being used back then. Sorry I missed these but so glad that you and your group are reintroducing them. This mac 'n cheese pie looks incredible! Have got to try this one!
Lauren @ Sew You Think You Can Cook
I like the addition of potatoes!
I'll be sorry to see you leave Group D but I'm glad I was assigned your blog before you've moved on to bigger and better Group A things. ๐
Cynde
Is there a whole wheat alternative to Bisquick?
The Wimpy Vegetarian
I haven't seen one in my market. When I googled it, I found this recipe for making it yourself: https://www.food.com/recipe/healthy-bisquick-mix-whole-wheat-no-trans-fats-397521