Oven-Baked Meat Pies with Flaky Pastry and Savory Beef Filling

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Traditional Australian meat pies with tender minced beef filling enclosed in a buttery, flaky pastry crust. This australian-inspired beef ready in about 85 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, (2 sticks), cubed cold unsalted butter, cold water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 12, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.

Prep: 45 min Cook: 40 min Serves 12 Australian cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: To make the pastry, combine 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour and 1 tsp salt in a large bowl. Add 1 cup cold cubed unsalted butter and rub with fingertips until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add 1/2 cup cold water, stirring until dough just comes together. Wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 medium finely chopped yellow onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 lb ground beef to skillet and cook for 6-7 minutes until browned, breaking up lumps. Stir in 1 cup beef broth, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 cup frozen peas, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes until mixture thickens. Remove from heat and let cool.
  4. Step 4: Preheat oven to 375°F. Roll out chilled pastry on a floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut out twelve 4-inch circles for bases and twelve 3-inch circles for tops.
  5. Step 5: Line twelve muffin tins with larger pastry circles. Spoon cooled beef filling evenly into each. Brush edges with beaten egg. Cover with smaller pastry circles and press edges to seal. Brush tops with beaten egg.
  6. Step 6: Bake pies for 25-30 minutes until golden and flaky. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Oven-Baked Meat Pies with Flaky Pastry and Savory Beef Filling take to make?

Total time is about 85 minutes (45 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Oven-Baked Meat Pies with Flaky Pastry and Savory Beef Filling?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep all-purpose flour from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Oven-Baked Meat Pies with Flaky Pastry and Savory Beef Filling?

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 Oven-Baked Meat Pies with Flaky Pastry and Savory Beef Filling for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). 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 Oven-Baked Meat Pies with Flaky Pastry and Savory Beef Filling?

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.

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