Individual Australian Meat Pies with Flaky Pastry
Miniature savory pies filled with seasoned ground beef and vegetables, encased in a buttery, flaky pastry perfect for a comforting snack or meal. This australian-inspired beef ready in about 65 minutes layers ground beef, medium, finely diced onion, small, finely diced carrot into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 500 g ground beef
- 1 medium, finely diced onion
- 1 small, finely diced carrot
- 100 g frozen peas
- 250 ml beef stock
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp plain flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 350 g ready-rolled shortcrust pastry
- 1 large, beaten for glaze egg
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add 1 medium finely diced onion and 1 small finely diced carrot, sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 500 g ground beef to the pan and cook for 6-8 minutes, breaking it apart with a spoon until browned and no longer pink.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp plain flour and cook for 1 minute to remove raw taste. Gradually pour in 250 ml beef stock while stirring, then add 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 100 g frozen peas, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 4: Reduce heat and simmer the filling mixture for 10 minutes until thickened and glossy. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Step 5: Preheat oven to 200°C (390°F). Roll out 350 g ready-rolled shortcrust pastry and cut six 12 cm circles for bases and six 10 cm circles for lids.
- Step 6: Line six greased 8 cm pie tins with the larger pastry circles, spoon in the beef mixture evenly, then cover with the smaller circles, pressing edges to seal.
- Step 7: Brush each pie top with 1 beaten egg and cut a small vent slit in the center. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until golden and puffed.
- Step 8: Let pies cool for 5 minutes before serving warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Individual Australian Meat Pies with Flaky Pastry take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (25 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Individual Australian Meat Pies with Flaky Pastry?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Individual Australian Meat Pies with Flaky Pastry?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Individual Australian Meat Pies with Flaky Pastry for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Individual Australian Meat Pies with Flaky Pastry?
Australian beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.