Description

Savory Beef & Cheese Hand Pies feature golden, flaky pastry pockets filled with juicy, seasoned ground beef and melted cheese. Perfect for meal prep, parties, or comfort food cravings, these portable and freezer-friendly pies combine nostalgic flavors with a modern twist, enhanced by smoky paprika and rich Worcestershire sauce.

Ingredients

Scale

Filling

1 lb ground beef (80/20 fat ratio recommended)
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced (or ½ tsp garlic powder)
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (or soy sauce/coconut aminos as a substitute)
Salt and pepper, to taste
½ tsp smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, pepper jack, mozzarella, or gouda)

Dough & Finish

1 package refrigerated pie dough (or gluten-free puff pastry for GF option)
1 egg, beaten (for egg wash; vegan substitute: almond milk + maple syrup mix)

Instructions

Cook the Filling: Brown the ground beef over medium heat in a skillet until halfway cooked. Add chopped onions and minced garlic, cooking until browned and fragrant. Drain excess fat. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning. Let the filling cool slightly before adding shredded cheese.
Roll & Cut: Lightly flour your workspace and unroll the pie dough. Use a 6-inch bowl or biscuit cutter to cut dough circles. Gather scraps, roll out again, and cut additional circles.
Fill & Fold: Spoon 2–3 tablespoons of the beef mixture onto one half of each dough circle. Moisten edges with water, fold the dough over, and press edges firmly with a fork to seal.
Bake to Golden Glory: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Brush the pies with beaten egg for a golden finish. Bake for 20–25 minutes, rotating halfway, until crust is puffed and golden brown.
Serve & Enjoy: Serve warm straight from the oven or cooled for easy transport. Pair with dipping sauces, salads, or your favorite sides.

Notes

Let the filling cool before adding cheese and assembling to prevent melting and leaking.
Freeze unbaked pies on a tray first, then transfer to a freezer bag; bake from frozen adding 5–8 minutes to bake time.
To prevent leakage, avoid overfilling and ensure edges are thoroughly moistened and crimped securely.
To avoid soggy crusts, drain excess fat from beef and cool the filling well before assembly. Adding a sprinkling of breadcrumbs or extra cheese inside may help absorb moisture.
Homemade dough can be used for a more artisanal touch.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Snack, Lunch, Comfort Food
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 hand pie (approx. 1/8 of recipe)
Calories: 390
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 480mg
Fat: 24g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Unsaturated Fat: 13g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 26g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 19g
Cholesterol: 70mg

Keywords: beef hand pies, savory hand pies, cheese hand pies, comfort food, party snacks, portable meals