A traditional comfort food, the meat pie combines savory ground beef filling with a flaky, golden crust, making it a beloved dish for many.
This ultimate meat pie recipe balances simplicity with delicious, homemade flavor, offering a perfect blend of rich, savory filling and buttery pastry that makes it a family favorite.
The best part? This ground beef meat pie can be made ahead and frozen, making it perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Easy-to-follow recipe for a classic comfort food
- Perfect balance of savory filling and flaky crust
- Can be made ahead and frozen for convenience
- Tips for achieving the perfect texture and flavor
- Step-by-step instructions for a foolproof approach
What Makes This Ground Beef Meat Pie Special
The secret to this ground beef meat pie lies in its harmonious blend of earthy mushrooms, sweet carrots, and savory Worcestershire sauce. This unique combination of flavors sets it apart from other pie recipes. The slow-simmered ground beef creates a rich, flavorful base that forms the heart of this meat pie recipe.
The perfect balance of seasonings elevates the meat mixture beyond a basic beef filling. The contrast between the tender meat filling and the flaky, golden crust makes each bite satisfying. This recipe has been refined to ensure the perfect consistency of the filling – not too dry, not too runny.
- A rich, creamy gravy develops as it simmers on the stovetop, mingling the beef with various ingredients.
- The versatility of this meat pie allows it to be served as a main dish or cut into smaller portions as an appetizer.
- The combination of quality ingredients creates a depth of flavor that makes this pie special.
This meat pie preserves traditional elements while adding modern touches for enhanced flavor. With its ground beef and flaky crust, it’s a true comfort food masterpiece. The attention to detail in the ingredients and mixture ensures a delicious pie that will satisfy any appetite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is crucial for creating a mouth-watering ground beef meat pie. The quality and freshness of these ingredients directly impact the flavor and texture of the final product.
For the Filling
The filling is the heart of the meat pie, and it requires a mix of ground beef and various aromatic vegetables. Fresh ground beef is preferred over frozen for its superior texture and flavor. You’ll also need:
- Olive oil or butter for sautéing
- Finely diced onion, celery stalks, and large carrots
- Washed and sliced mushrooms
- Minced garlic cloves (or garlic powder as an alternative)
- All-purpose flour to thicken the gravy
- Beef broth or bone broth for added moisture
- Dried basil and oregano for seasoning
- Worcestershire sauce for depth of flavor
- Heavy cream for a velvety consistency
- Frozen green peas
- Salt and black pepper to taste
| Ingredient | Quantity | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Beef | 1 lb | Main protein source |
| Olive Oil | 2 tbsp | For sautéing |
| Onion | 1 medium | Aromatic flavor |
| Garlic Cloves | 3 | Flavor enhancement |
For the Pastry
For the pastry, you can opt for either a store-bought crust or make your own homemade version. If choosing the latter, you’ll need:
- All-purpose flour
- Cold butter or shortening
- Ice-cold water
- Egg and water for an egg wash
The choice between homemade and store-bought pastry depends on your preference for convenience versus control over ingredients. Regardless, the pastry should be flaky and golden.
Kitchen Tools Required
Having the correct kitchen tools is vital for successfully preparing this easy and delicious ground beef meat pie recipe. To start, you’ll need a few essential items. A good quality knife is necessary for chopping ingredients, while a cutting board provides a clean surface for preparation.
A skillet or pan is crucial for browning the meat filling to perfection. For assembling and baking, a 9×11 dish is ideal, allowing for the perfect crust-to-filling ratio in your pie. Additionally, accurate measuring cups and spoons ensure the right balance of ingredients in both the filling and crust.
Organizing your kitchen tools before starting can streamline the preparation process. While specialized tools can be helpful, basic kitchen equipment can achieve the same results. Proper preparation and the right tools will make assembling your pie a breeze, ensuring a delicious outcome.
Preparing the Perfect Ground Beef Filling
A rich and flavorful ground beef filling is the heart of any great meat pie. To achieve this, it’s crucial to follow a detailed process that ensures the filling is both savory and satisfying.
Start by preheating a large skillet over medium heat. I prefer using a cast-iron skillet for its even heat distribution. Once the skillet is hot, add the ground beef and season with salt and pepper. Cook the beef for approximately 5 minutes, until it is no longer pink, then remove it from the skillet. This step is vital for developing the rich flavor of the meat mixture.
Next, add olive oil, diced onion, celery, carrots, and sliced mushrooms to the hot pan. Season with more salt and pepper to taste. Sauté for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender. If the mix is too dry, add a bit more oil. The aroma will indicate when they are ready. Then, add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
To achieve the perfect consistency in the gravy, stir in flour to coat the vegetable mixture fully, then slowly stir in the beef broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 3-5 minutes until it thickens. This technique ensures that the filling is well-bound and flavorful.
It’s essential to test the filling for proper seasoning and consistency before assembling the meat pie. Adjust the seasoning as needed, and if the filling is too thick, a little more broth can be added.
Preparing the ground beef filling ahead of time can streamline the meat pie assembly process. Simply refrigerate or freeze the filling until you’re ready to assemble and bake the pies.
Making the Pastry
The key to a delicious meat pie lies in its flaky, tender pastry crust. Achieving this requires a combination of the right ingredients and techniques.
To start, grate frozen butter using a cheese grater. This step is crucial as it ensures the butter remains cool, which is essential for creating a flaky crust. Once grated, return the butter to the freezer to keep it cool.
In a large glass bowl, sift together flour and salt. In a separate glass, prepare ice water by adding ice cubes. Remove the butter from the freezer and use a dough blender or fork to cut it into the flour mixture until it resembles wet sand with pea-sized fats.
Add ¼ cup of ice water at a time to the flour-butter mixture, gently folding with a plastic spatula. Be cautious not to overmix, as this can lead to a tough pastry.
| Pastry Type | Characteristics | Suitability for Meat Pie |
|---|---|---|
| Shortcrust Pastry | Flaky, crumbly texture | Highly suitable |
| Puff Pastry | Layered, flaky | Suitable, but more delicate |
| Hot Water Crust Pastry | Traditionally used for meat pies, robust | Very suitable |
The quality of the pastry significantly impacts the overall eating experience of the meat pie. By following these steps and being mindful of the temperature and mixing, you can achieve a perfectly baked pie.
Assembling Your Meat Pies
Assembling the perfectmeat pierequires attention to detail and a bit of patience. To start, roll out thepastryon a flat, floured surface using a rolling pin until it’s ¼” thick.
Using a large biscuit cutter or a small dessertplate, cut the dough into 5-6″ rounds. Measure 2 heaping tablespoons of themeatfilling into the center of the dough. Fold the dough rounds in half, pressing the edges using your fingers and crimp or seal with a fork’s tines to ensure they’re truly sealed.
Proper assembly techniques are crucial to prevent the filling from leaking during baking and to maintain the flaky texture of thepastry crust. By following these steps, you’ll be able to create deliciousmeat pieswith a goldentop.
Baking to Golden Perfection
Baking your meat pie to perfection requires attention to detail. To start, preheat your oven to 350°F, ensuring it reaches the correct temperature before you insert your pies.
While the oven is heating up, prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper. Place your chilled meat pies on this sheet, leaving enough space between them for even baking. Next, prepare the egg wash by cracking an egg into a bowl and breaking the yolk with a fork. Brush this egg wash gently over the tops of the meat pies to give them a golden brown color during baking.
Once your oven is preheated and your pies are ready, bake them for 30-35 minutes if they’re refrigerated or 45-55 minutes if they’re frozen. Keep an eye on your pies, as the exact baking time may vary depending on their size and your oven’s performance.
| Pie Status | Baking Time (minutes) |
|---|---|
| Refrigerated | 30-35 |
| Frozen | 45-55 |
Your meat pies are done when they’re golden brown. Remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving. This brief resting period allows the filling to set and the crust to retain its flakiness.
Pro Tips for the Best Meat Pies
Achieving the ultimate ground beef meat pie is within your reach with these simple yet effective tips. To start, consider doubling your homemade pie crust recipe to freeze a few for later use, ensuring you have wholesome crusts on hand whenever needed.
One crucial aspect of making exceptional meat pies is achieving the perfect balance between the crust and the filling. This can be accomplished by ensuring that your ingredients are at the right temperature, as this significantly affects the final texture of both the pastry and the meat filling.
Tips for Perfect Meat Pies:
- Resting the filling before assembly can greatly improve the final product by allowing flavors to meld together.
- Preparing the filling ahead of time and storing it in the fridge can simplify the assembly process.
- Adding peas towards the end of cooking prevents them from turning mushy.
To avoid common issues like soggy bottoms or dry filling, it’s essential to not overfill your pie and to ensure your oven is at the correct temperature. Properly storing raw assembled meat pies before baking is also crucial for optimal results.
| Tip | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Double your pie crust recipe | Have extra crusts frozen for future use |
| Rest the filling | Allows flavors to meld, improving taste |
| Add peas at the end | Prevents peas from becoming mushy |
By following these pro tips, you can elevate your homemade meat pies to a new level. Whether you’re scaling the recipe for a larger gathering or simplifying it for a smaller household, these techniques will help you achieve consistent, delicious results.
Delicious Variations
Experimenting with different ingredients can transform the classic ground beef meat pie into a myriad of delicious variations. The recipe’s versatility allows for substitutions like ground chicken, turkey, or pork, making it easy to use leftover meat. You can also mix and match various vegetables such as onions, celery, mushrooms, carrots, and peas, or try alternatives like green beans, potatoes, or diced tomatoes.
To create seasonal or international variations, adjust the seasonings or ingredients. For instance, add Mexican spices for a bold flavor or Indian spices for an exotic taste. Dietary adaptations like lower-carb crusts or gluten-free alternatives can also be made. Miniature versions can be crafted for appetizers or parties. Incorporating unexpected ingredients like cheese, olives, or pickled vegetables can add unique twists. The basic techniques remain the same, making it easy to experiment and create new flavors.
- Try alternative meats like lamb or mixed meats for a different flavor profile.
- Experiment with various vegetable combinations to create seasonal variations.
- Adjust seasonings to give your meat pie an international twist.
Serving Suggestions
Elevate your dining experience with these serving suggestions for your ground beef meat pie. This dish can be served in various ways to suit different occasions.
For a comforting meal, serve your meat pie with soft sourdough discard dinner rolls or a fresh garden salad with homemade dressing. The combination of flavors and textures will enhance your dining experience. You can also serve it on its own, as it contains everything you need in a meal.
| Occasion | Serving Suggestion |
|---|---|
| Casual Family Dinner | Serve with mashed potatoes and a side salad. |
| Formal Gathering | Pair with roasted vegetables and a rich gravy. |
When it comes to beverages, a glass of red wine or a cold beer complements the rich flavors of the meat pie nicely. For a non-alcoholic option, consider a refreshing herbal tea or a sparkling water with a slice of lemon.
To repurpose leftover meat pie, consider slicing it and serving it with a fried egg on top for a hearty breakfast, or chop it up and add it to a salad for a quick lunch.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve been introduced to the world of homemade meat pies, it’s time to put your newfound knowledge into practice.
This ground beef meat pie recipe has guided you through preparing a delicious, savory dish perfect for any meal.
By following the steps outlined, you’ve gained the skills to create a satisfying meal that combines convenience with homemade quality.
Your meat pie can be refrigerated or frozen for later use, making it a practical choice for busy households. We encourage you to experiment with variations and share your creations.
FAQ
What is the ideal oven temperature for baking the meat pie?
Can I use other types of protein instead of the filling’s main ingredient?
How do I prevent the pastry crust from becoming too brown?
Can the meat pie be made ahead of time and refrigerated or frozen?
What are some common side dishes that go well with the meat pie?
How do I know when the pie is fully cooked?
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