Introduction

Cozy Charm is a comforting meat pie filled with savory ground beef and vegetables, all wrapped in a flaky crust. Perfect for chilly evenings, this dish brings warmth and hearty flavors to your table with ease.

A round wicker basket holds about a dozen golden brown pastries with shiny, flaky crusts. Each pastry is round, about two layers thick, with a braided crust decoration on top. The pastries are stacked slightly on top of each other inside the basket, which rests on a white marbled surface partially covered by a dark cloth. In the background, there is a white cup with a green-striped cloth draped over it, and a small paper tag with floral designs is tucked into the basket. The scene is softly lit, showing the texture and gloss of the pastries clearly. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 pound (450g) ground beef
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small carrot, diced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
½ cup (120ml) beef broth
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ teaspoon dried thyme
2 (9-inch) unbaked pie crusts (homemade or store-bought)
1 egg (for egg wash)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Place one pie crust into a 9-inch pie plate, allowing it to slightly overhang the edges.
Step 2: In a skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and diced carrot, cooking until the vegetables are soft.
Step 3: Stir in the all-purpose flour, then gradually add the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, and dried thyme. Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes until it thickens slightly. Remove from heat and let it cool a little.
Step 4: Pour the filling into the prepared pie crust. Cover with the second pie crust, trim any excess, and crimp the edges to seal. Cut slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape, then brush with the beaten egg for a golden finish.
Step 5: Bake the pie for 30 to 35 minutes until the crust is golden brown. If the edges brown too quickly, cover them with foil to prevent burning.
Step 6: Let the pie rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This helps the filling set and makes for cleaner slices.

Tips & Variations

Chilling the pie crust before baking leads to a flakier texture.
Allowing the filling to cool slightly before adding it to the crust prevents a soggy bottom.
For a Shepherd’s Pie twist, try topping the filling with mashed potatoes instead of a second crust.
You can substitute puff pastry for the pie crust to give the pie a lighter, crispier texture.

Storage

Store any leftover pie in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm slices in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through to maintain crispiness. You can also freeze baked or unbaked pies for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking or reheating.

How to Serve

A round woven basket filled with seven golden brown pastries arranged neatly, each pastry showing a layered, flaky texture with a shiny, glazed surface and crisscross pastry strips on top forming a decorative pattern. The basket sits on a white marbled surface, beside a small clear vase with delicate white baby's breath flowers. In the background, there are dark bottles and a folded white cloth with a black knife resting on it. The lighting highlights the warm tones and crisp details of the pastries. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of meat for the filling?

Yes, you can substitute ground turkey, chicken, or pork if you prefer. Adjust cooking times as needed to ensure the meat is fully cooked.

What can I use if I don’t have Worcestershire sauce?

If you don’t have Worcestershire sauce, try using soy sauce or a splash of balsamic vinegar to add depth and a bit of tang to the filling.