Pastel de papas is the Argentine version of a meat and potato pie: a well-seasoned ground beef filling with onion, bell pepper, chopped hard-boiled eggs and olives, covered with creamy mashed potatoes and baked until the top is golden.
It is a family favorite on both sides of the Río de la Plata, uses everyday ingredients and feeds 8, so it is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a Sunday lunch.
Why you’ll love it
- Classic comfort food: savory beef under a golden mashed potato top.
- Feeds a crowd: 8 servings from one baking dish.
- Budget-friendly and made with simple pantry ingredients.
Quick facts
Prep: 30 min
Cook: 35 min
Total: 1 hr 5 min
Servings: 8
Oven temperature: 400°F (200°C)
Estimated cost per serving: $2.65
Contains: Milk (butter and milk), eggs
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 lb (1 kg) potatoes
- 1 1/2 lb (700 g) ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
- 1/3 cup green olives
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt, pepper and nutmeg
Step-by-step method
-
Make the mashed potatoes. Boil the potatoes until tender and mash them with the butter, milk, salt and nutmeg.
-
Cook the filling. Brown the ground beef with the onion and bell pepper; season with the paprika, salt and pepper.
-
Add the eggs and olives. Stir the chopped hard-boiled eggs and the olives into the filling.
-
Assemble. Spread the beef in a baking dish and cover it with the mashed potatoes.
-
Bake. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 25 to 30 minutes and brown the top at the end.
How to know it is done
It is ready when the mashed potato top is golden brown in spots and the filling is bubbling hot around the edges of the dish.
Tips for the best result
- Measure and prep all the ingredients before you start.
- Adjust the salt and seasonings at the end of cooking.
- Let it rest a few minutes after baking so it is easier to serve and the flavors settle.
Storage and reheating
Keep leftovers in a tightly closed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven so the potato top keeps its best texture.
Approximate nutrition per serving
About 520 calories per serving. Nutrition is an estimate and varies with brands and portion size.
Leer esta receta en español: Pastel de papas con carne
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