Mince and Cheese Pie (Kiwi Bakery Pie)
In short: Beef mince in thick gravy with melted cheese inside a golden pastry shell, the New Zealand bakery pie baked here as one family pie. It takes about 1 h 40 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 1 h 10 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 1 h 40 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 635 kcal
The mince and cheese pie is a New Zealand bakery staple, eaten hot from a paper bag at lunchtime or at the rugby. Beef mince in thick gravy is mixed with grated cheese, which melts into the filling and makes it creamy and savory. This version is baked as one family pie in a 23 cm dish, with a crisp shortcrust base and a flaky puff pastry lid. Serve slices with tomato sauce, mashed potato or peas.
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Cook the onion for 5 minutes until soft, then add the mince and break it up. Brown for about 8 minutes, until no pink remains and it reaches 71°C (160°F).
- Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Add the stock, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper, and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes until thick.
- Take the pan off the heat and stir in the cheese until it melts. Spread the filling on a plate and cool completely, about 30 minutes.
- Heat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Overlap the shortcrust sheets slightly, roll them together, and line a 23 cm (9 in) pie dish, trimming the overhang. Prick the base with a fork.
- Spoon in the cooled filling and brush the pastry rim with beaten egg.
- Lay the puff pastry sheet over the pie and trim it to fit the rim. Press the edges to seal. Brush with egg and cut two small slits in the top.
- Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the top is puffed and deep golden. Rest for 10 minutes before cutting.
Tips
- Cool the filling completely before filling the pie, or the cheese will melt the pastry. Mature cheddar gives the best flavor.
- For a crisper base, blind-bake the shortcrust-lined dish for 10 minutes at 200°C (400°F) before adding the filling.
Questions and answers
What is the difference between a mince and cheese pie and a plain mince pie?
A mince and cheese pie has grated cheese stirred into the beef filling, which makes it thicker and richer. A plain meat pie has just beef and gravy.
Can I freeze a mince and cheese pie?
Yes. Cool the baked pie, wrap it well and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen at 180°C (350°F) for 40 to 45 minutes.
What cheese is best for mince and cheese pie?
A mature (sharp) cheddar gives plenty of flavor and melts well. Mix in a little mozzarella if you like a stretchier filling.
How long does it take to make Mince and Cheese Pie (Kiwi Bakery Pie)?
About 1 h 40 min in total: 30 min of preparation and 1 h 10 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Mince and Cheese Pie (Kiwi Bakery Pie)?
About 635 kcal per serving, with 26 g of protein, 43 g of carbohydrates and 40 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 635 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 26 g |
| Carbohydrates | 43 g |
| Fat | 40 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 1000 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
