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Cheesy Bacon, Beef & Spinach Hand Pies

Prep 35 min Cook 25 min Difficulty 3/5

Handheld cheesy bacon, beef & spinach hand pies with flaky shortcrust — step-by-step method, tips and make-ahead advice.

Why this recipe works

These Cheesy Bacon, Beef & Spinach Hand Pies are handheld savoury pastries with a flaky shortcrust, a cheesy beef and bacon filling, and wilted spinach. They suit weeknight dinners, packed lunches or party finger food for cooks comfortable with basic pastry work.

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Key takeaways

Make pastry first and chill for flaky hand pies.
Cook filling until cool before filling to avoid soggy pastry.
Bake 18–25 minutes at 200°C until golden; cool slightly before serving.

Recipe guide

These Cheesy Bacon, Beef & Spinach Hand Pies are handheld savoury pastries with a flaky shortcrust, a cheesy beef and bacon filling, and wilted spinach. They suit weeknight dinners, packed lunches or party finger food for cooks comfortable with basic pastry work.

Make the pastry first and chill for the best flaky hand pies.

  • Make pastry first and chill for flaky hand pies.
  • Cook filling until cool before filling to avoid soggy pastry.
  • Bake 18–25 minutes at 200°C until golden; cool slightly before serving.

Ingredients (makes about 12–15 hand pies)

Pastry: 300 g plain flour, 100 g cold butter, 1 tsp salt, 80 ml cold water. Filling: 200 g streaky bacon (chopped), 300 g minced beef, 150 g bagged spinach, 200 g grated cheese, 1 tbsp oil, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1 egg (beaten for wash).

Method (straightforward steps)

1) Grate cold butter into flour and salt until crumbly. 2) Add cold water bit by bit, press into a smooth dough, wrap and chill 30 minutes. 3) Preheat oven 200°C and line a tray. 4) Fry chopped bacon until starting to crisp; add oil and minced beef, cook until browned; season with pepper. 5) Add spinach, cook until wilted, cool slightly and stir in grated cheese. 6) Roll dough 3–4 mm thick, cut rounds, fill half with filling, brush edges with beaten egg, top and seal. 7) Crimp edges, brush tops with egg and bake 18–25 minutes until golden. Cool slightly before serving.

Practical tips & variations

Keep butter and water cold for flaky pastry. Cool filling before filling to prevent sogginess. For extra flavour add a teaspoon mustard or a pinch of smoked paprika to the beef. To make smaller pies, use a smaller cutter and reduce bake time by a few minutes.

Ingredients

  • 300 g plain flour
  • 100 g cold butter
  • 80 ml cold water
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 200 g streaky bacon
  • 300 g minced beef
  • 150 g bagged spinach
  • 200 g cheese block (grated)
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 unit egg

Instructions

  1. Grate cold butter and toss with flour and salt until mixture resembles coarse crumbs
  2. Stir in cold water a little at a time and press to form a smooth dough
  3. Wrap dough and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes
  4. Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F) and line a baking tray with parchment
  5. Chop streaky bacon and fry in a hot pan until starting to crisp, drain excess fat if necessary
  6. Add oil and minced beef to the pan with bacon and cook until browned
  7. Season beef and bacon with black pepper
  8. Add spinach to the pan and cook until wilted, then remove from heat and cool slightly
  9. Stir grated cheese into the cooled meat and spinach mixture
  10. Roll chilled dough on a floured surface to about 3–4 mm thick
  11. Cut rounds from the dough, place a spoonful of filling in the centre of half the rounds
  12. Beat the egg and brush the edges of the filled rounds, top with remaining rounds and press edges to seal
  13. Use a fork to crimp edges and brush tops with beaten egg
  14. Transfer hand pies to the prepared tray and bake for 18–25 minutes or until golden
  15. Cool slightly before serving

FAQs

Can I make these ahead and freeze them? Yes. Assemble unbaked pies on a tray, freeze until firm, then transfer to a bag; bake from frozen, adding 5–8 minutes to the bake time.
How long do cooked hand pies keep? Store cooled pies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat in a 180°C oven for 8–12 minutes to restore crispness.
Can I swap ingredients for dietary needs? Yes. Use vegetarian mince or omit bacon and add mushrooms; use dairy-free cheese and butter alternatives for a lactose-free version.