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
- Preparation: Warm oven to 375°F and line baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal cooking surface.
- Flavor Foundation: Sauté onions in olive oil until translucent, then quickly incorporate minced garlic to release aromatic essence.
- 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.
- Cheese Integration: Remove from heat and blend shredded cheddar into warm beef mixture, allowing complete melting and seamless incorporation.
- Pastry Formation: Roll pie crusts on floured surface, cut 4-inch circles, and distribute beef-cheese filling in center of each dough piece.
- Sealing and Finishing: Fold dough into half-moon shapes, crimping edges with fork and brushing tops with beaten egg for golden, glossy appearance.
- 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