There's nothing like a hearty minced beef pie to warm you up on a chilly evening. This classic British dish is a favourite for a reason – it's delicious, comforting, and perfect for sharing with friends and family. In this recipe, we'll show you how to make a rich and flavourful minced beef filling, topped with a buttery pastry crust. It's easy to make, and you'll love the results.
Ingredients
For the filling:
500g minced beef
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried rosemary
1 tsp paprika
1 tbsp tomato paste
400g tin of chopped tomatoes
1 beef stock cube
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
For the pastry:
225g plain flour
100g unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small cubes
1 egg yolk
4-6 tbsp cold water
A pinch of salt
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas mark 6. Step 2: In a large skillet or frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the minced beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Remove the beef from the pan and set it aside. Step 3: In the same pan, add the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes. Step 4: Add the thyme, rosemary, and paprika to the vegetables and stir to combine. Step 5: Add the tomato paste to the pan and stir to coat the vegetables. Step 6: Return the minced beef to the pan and stir to combine. Step 7: Add the chopped tomatoes, beef stock cube, and Worcestershire sauce to the pan. Stir well and bring to a simmer. Step 8: Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 20-30 minutes, until the sauce has thickened and the vegetables are tender. Step 9: While the filling is simmering, make the pastry. In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Step 10: Add the egg yolk and 4 tbsp of cold water to the bowl. Use a fork to mix the ingredients together until a dough forms. If the dough is too dry, add more water, one tablespoon at a time. Step 11: Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface, then use it to line a 9-inch pie dish. Trim the excess pastry and prick the bottom with a fork. Step 12: Pour the beef mixture into the pastry-lined dish. Step 13: Roll out the remaining pastry and use it to cover the top of the pie. Use a sharp knife to cut a few small slits in the top of the pastry to allow steam to escape. Step 14: Bake the pie in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown and the filling is hot and bubbly.
Nutrition
This recipe makes 6 servings. Each serving contains approximately:
Calories: 500
Protein: 27g
Fat: 31g
Carbohydrates: 29g
Fibre: 3g
Sodium: 500mg
Conclusion
This minced beef pie recipe is a great choice for a family dinner or a casual get-together with friends. It's easy to make, and the flavourful filling is sure to impress. Serve it with a side salad or some steamed vegetables for a complete meal. Give this recipe a try, and you'll see why minced beef pie is a classic favourite.