Hearty Beef & Cheddar Pastries Recipe

Flaky Golden Beef & Cheddar Pastries Recipe – A Tasty Treat

Warm, flaky pastries filled with rich beef and cheddar cheese promise a delightful culinary adventure that will make your taste buds dance.

Golden-brown pockets of pure comfort emerge straight from the oven, packed with savory beef and cheddar pastries that blend rustic charm with gourmet flair.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of tender meat and melted cheese wrapped in buttery, crisp pastry.

Simple ingredients come together effortlessly to create these irresistible hand-held treats.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike adore how quickly these pastries come together.

The aroma alone will draw everyone to the kitchen, eager to sample these delectable morsels.

Get ready to become the star of your next gathering with these mouthwatering pastries that are sure to impress.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 9

Savory Beef & Cheddar Pastries Ingredient List

For Meat and Seasoning:
  • Ground Beef: Juicy protein base that adds hearty flavor and substance to the pastries.
  • Onion: Brings sweet, caramelized depth and aromatic richness to the filling.
  • Garlic: Provides intense, bold flavor that complements the beef perfectly.
  • Cumin: Earthy spice that adds warm, authentic southwestern notes.
  • Paprika: Delivers subtle smoky undertones and beautiful reddish color.
  • Chili Powder: Introduces gentle heat and complex spice profile.
  • Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance overall taste.
For Pastry and Binding:
  • Pie Crusts: Flaky, tender base that creates delightful handheld pastry pockets.
  • Beaten Egg: Creates golden, glossy exterior and helps seal pastry edges.
For Cheese and Richness:
  • Cheddar Cheese: Melts beautifully, adds sharp, tangy flavor and creamy texture.
For Cooking Preparation:
  • Olive Oil: Helps sauté ingredients smoothly and adds subtle fruity undertone.
  • Parchment Paper: Ensures easy release and prevents pastries from sticking.

Tools That Help Make Beef & Cheddar Pastries

  • Large skillet: Essential for browning beef and sautéing ingredients.
  • Baking sheet: Needed to bake pastries evenly in the oven.
  • Parchment paper: Prevents pastries from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
  • Rolling pin: Helps roll out pie crusts for creating perfect dough circles.
  • Fork: Used to seal pastry edges and create a decorative crimp.
  • Mixing spoon: Great for stirring beef mixture and combining ingredients.
  • Measuring spoons: Helps accurately measure spices and seasonings.
  • Cutting board: Provides surface for chopping and preparing ingredients.
  • Sharp knife: Needed for cutting pie crusts into circles.
  • Pastry brush: Used to apply egg wash for golden, shiny finish.

How to Prepare Savory Pastries Easily

  • Flavor Foundation

Create a rich, hearty beef mixture by sautéing onions and garlic, then adding ground beef with warm spices that dance together and create a mouthwatering base.

  • Pastry Preparation

Spread out smooth pie dough and transform it into perfect circular pockets ready to cradle the delicious beef filling.

  • Filling and Sealing

Carefully spoon the spiced beef mixture onto each dough circle, then gently fold and crimp the edges to create beautiful half-moon parcels that lock in all the savory goodness.

  • Golden Transformation

Brush the pastries with a silky egg wash that will help them turn a gorgeous golden brown, then slide them into a hot oven where magic happens and they become crispy, flaky treasures.

  • Serving Delight

Let the pastries cool just enough to handle, then watch as hungry friends and family devour these irresistible handheld meals bursting with complex, comforting flavors.

Tips for Filling and Baking Beef Pastries

  • Deglaze the skillet with a splash of red wine after browning the beef to add depth and richness to the filling.
  • Adjust the heat by adding diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper for those who enjoy a spicier pastry.
  • Prepare the beef filling and assembled pastries up to 24 hours in advance, storing them covered in the refrigerator before baking for convenient meal prep.
  • Experiment with different cheese varieties like pepper jack, gouda, or blue cheese to create unique flavor profiles that complement the beef.
  • Mix in finely chopped spinach, roasted bell peppers, or mushrooms to add extra nutrition and complexity to the pastry filling.

Serving Ideas for Savory Beef & Cheddar Pastries

  • Pair with Fresh Greens: Serve these savory pastries alongside a crisp mixed salad dressed with a light vinaigrette to balance the rich, meaty filling.
  • Create a Dipping Station: Offer zesty sour cream, tangy salsa, or homemade guacamole for guests to customize their pastry experience with cool, creamy accompaniments.
  • Make a Complete Meal: Complement the beef pastries with roasted seasonal vegetables or a hearty vegetable soup to transform this appetizer into a satisfying dinner option.
  • Brunch Brilliance: Serve these pastries as a show-stopping brunch item, accompanied by fresh fruit and a light mimosa for a weekend gathering that'll impress your friends.

How to Store Pastries While Keeping Them Crisp

  • Quick Batch Prep: Double the recipe and freeze uncooked pastries for easy future meals. Stack them between parchment paper layers to prevent sticking.
  • Refrigerate Smart: Store cooked pastries in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for crispy texture, avoiding microwave softening.
  • Freeze for Later: Wrap individual pastries tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
  • Pack for Lunch: These pastries travel well in lunch boxes. Cool completely before packing to maintain crisp edges and prevent sogginess.
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Hearty Beef & Cheddar Pastries Recipe

Hearty Beef & Cheddar Pastries Recipe


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4.5 from 9 reviews

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 9 1x

Description

Hearty shepherd’s pie-inspired beef and cheddar pastries deliver comfort with flaky golden crusts and rich meat filling. Homemade pastry pockets provide a satisfying meal you’ll crave during chilly evenings.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (0.45 kg) ground beef
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 package (14 oz or 397 g) refrigerated pie crusts
  • 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp chili powder
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Warm oven to 375°F and line baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal cooking surface.
  2. Flavor Foundation: Sauté onions in olive oil until translucent, then quickly incorporate minced garlic to release aromatic essence.
  3. Meat Development: Add ground beef to skillet, seasoning with cumin, paprika, chili powder, kosher salt, and black pepper; cook thoroughly while breaking into fine crumbles.
  4. Cheese Integration: Remove from heat and blend shredded cheddar into warm beef mixture, allowing complete melting and seamless incorporation.
  5. Pastry Formation: Roll pie crusts on floured surface, cut 4-inch circles, and distribute beef-cheese filling in center of each dough piece.
  6. Sealing and Finishing: Fold dough into half-moon shapes, crimping edges with fork and brushing tops with beaten egg for golden, glossy appearance.
  7. Baking Process: Roast in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until pastries achieve rich, golden-brown color with crisp exterior.

Notes

  • Prep Smart: Use room temperature ingredients for smoother mixing and even cooking results.
  • Control Moisture: Drain excess beef fat to prevent soggy pastry bottoms and ensure crisp texture.
  • Cheese Selection: Choose sharp cheddar for more intense flavor that complements the spiced beef filling.
  • Seal Perfectly: Press fork edges firmly to prevent filling leakage during baking, creating neat, attractive pastries.
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 9
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 450 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 25 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 14 g
  • Cholesterol: 60 mg
Michael Rivera

Michael Rivera

Co-Founder & Culinary Instructor

Expertise

  • Classic French Cuisine
  • Artisanal Bread Baking
  • Plant-Based Culinary Innovation
  • Recipe & Menu Development
  • Interactive Online Instruction

Education

The French Culinary Institute (now part of the International Culinary Center)

  • Program: Classic Culinary Arts
  • Focus: An intensive curriculum rooted in classical French techniques, artisanal bread production, and contemporary culinary methods.

Michael Rivera is a seasoned chef and culinary instructor based in San Francisco, CA. Trained in Classic Culinary Arts at The French Culinary Institute, he refined his skills in Michelin-starred kitchens, mastering classic French techniques and artisanal bread baking. 

Passionate about making gourmet methods accessible, Michael co-founded thatsmyhome.com to share his expertise through interactive online lessons and innovative, plant-based recipes. He loves blending traditional techniques with modern ideas, encouraging home cooks to enjoy the art of cooking in a relaxed, fun environment.

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