Cheesy Baked Meat & Potato “Pillows”

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Cheesy Baked Meat & Potato “Pillows”

Yields: 6–8 individual portions | Prep time: 20 mins | Bake time: 40 mins

Ingredients

The Meat Base:

  • 2.2 lb (1 kg) Ground beef (lean is best to avoid excess grease)

  • 2 oz (60 g) Breadcrumbs

  • 1 Large egg

  • 1 Carrot, finely grated

  • 1 Green onion, chopped

  • 1 Red onion, finely diced

  • 1 Garlic clove, minced

  • 2 tbsp Fresh dill, chopped

  • Seasoning: Salt, ground black pepper, and dried garlic (to taste)

The Topping & Layers:

  • 3.5 oz (100 g) Sour cream

  • 2.8 oz (80 g) Mayonnaise

  • 10.6 oz (300 g) Mushrooms, finely sliced or chopped

  • 2 Tomatoes, thinly sliced

  • 7 oz (200 g) Mozzarella cheese, shredded

  • Garnish: Paprika and fresh parsley

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Meat Mixture

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, grated carrot, onions, garlic, and dill. Season generously with salt, pepper, and dried garlic. Mix by hand until well combined but do not overwork the meat (this keeps them tender).

2. Shape the Portions

Instead of a flat layer, shape the meat into large, thick patties (about 1.5 inches thick) and place them on a greased baking sheet or in a large baking dish with space between them. Use your thumb to make a slight indentation in the center of each patty—this creates a “well” for the toppings.

3. Layer the Flavor

  • Cream Base: Mix the sour cream and mayonnaise in a small bowl. Spread a dollop onto each meat patty.

  • Vegetables: Press a few mushroom slices and a slice of tomato into the cream on top of each patty.

  • The Cheese: Pile a generous mound of mozzarella over the top of each portion.

  • Final Touch: Spread a tiny bit more of the cream mixture over the cheese (this helps it brown without burning) and sprinkle with paprika.

4. The Bake

Cover the tray loosely with foil (try not to let it touch the cheese). Bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10–15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and has those characteristic golden-brown spots seen in your photo.

5. Rest and Serve

Let the dish rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute so the meat stays moist. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Chef’s Pro-Tips

  • Moisture Control: If your mushrooms are very fresh/watery, sauté them for 3 minutes in a pan before putting them on the meat to prevent the “pillows” from sitting in too much liquid.

  • The “Picky Eater” Hack: If someone dislikes mushrooms, swap them for a thin layer of pre-boiled potato slices or even a spoonful of caramelized onions.

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