Oven-Baked Meat Pie with Flaky Pastry Crust

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-12 · Updated 2026-07-12

A classic Australian meat pie filled with savory minced beef and vegetables, encased in a buttery, flaky homemade pastry crust baked to golden perfection. This Australian-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 95 minutes, layers all-purpose flour, unsalted butter, cold water 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 480 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

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (cold, cubed) unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup cold water
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 medium, finely chopped onion
• 1 medium, finely diced carrot
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 3/4 cup beef stock
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1, beaten for egg wash egg

Instructions

1. Step 1: To make the pastry, combine 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour and 1 cup cold, cubed unsalted butter in a large bowl. Rub the butter into the flour using fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Gradually add 1/2 cup cold water and mix until dough just comes together. Wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.
2. Step 2: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook 1 lb ground beef, 1 finely chopped medium onion, and 1 finely diced medium carrot for 8 minutes until beef browns and veggies soften. Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste, 3/4 cup beef stock, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes until thickened, then add 1/2 cup frozen peas. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
3. Step 3: Roll out two-thirds of the chilled pastry dough on a floured surface to fit a 9-inch pie dish. Line the dish with the pastry, then fill with the beef mixture. Roll out remaining pastry for the top crust, cover the pie, and seal edges by crimping. Brush 1 beaten egg over the top. Cut a small slit in the center for steam to escape.
4. Step 4: Bake pie at 400°F for 25 minutes, then reduce heat to 350°F and bake for another 20 minutes until crust is golden and crisp. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.