Comforting beef and bacon pies

Chilly evenings call for something warm and comforting at dinnertime, and these beef and bacon pies are just the thing to whip up! Although making your own pies might seem like a hassle, this version is made so much easier with the help of ready-made pastry.

Simply throw together everything for the filling in no time at all and cook these pies until they are golden and flaky on top! Serve these up for dinner with a scoop of mashed potato and mashed peas, or just enjoy them on their own as a quick, easy and delicious winter meal. Yum!

Ingredients

• 1 tbs olive oil
• 125g rindless bacon, finely chopped
• 1 brown onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 700g heart smart beef mince
• 1/4 cup tomato sauce
• 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
• 1 tbs Worcestershire sauce
• 400g can diced tomatoes
• 1/4 cup roughly chopped flat-leaf parsley
• 3 sheets frozen shortcrust pastry
• 1 egg, whisked
• 3 sheets frozen puff pastry

Method

1. Heat oil in frying pan over medium heat. Add bacon, onion and garlic and cook for 10 minutes. Add mince and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon to break up lumps, for 10 minutes or until well browned. Stir in sauces and tomatoes. Bring to the boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes or until thickened. Cool and stir through parsley. Season to taste.
2. Preheat oven to 200C. Place baking tray into the oven. Grease 6 x 10cm metal pie tins. Cut 6 rounds from shortcrust pastry and line tins. Fill with mince mixture. Brush edge of pastry with egg. Cut 6 rounds from puff pastry. Cover tops of pies, pressing edges to seal. Cut small steam holes in tops. Brush with egg.
3. Place pies onto hot tray and bake for 25 minutes or until pastry is golden and puffed. Serve.