A Juicy Meat-and-Cheese Pie You Can Make in 30 Minutes

This savory pie with minced meat and cheese is a juicy, quick dish made from a liquid batter (kefir or sour cream) and sautéed meat. The preparation is almost automatic: just combine the ingredients and let the oven do the rest. Prep takes about 10–15 minutes and baking about 30–40 minutes. The pie comes out juicy, with a golden crust and gooey cheese inside. Best of all, it requires no yeast or complicated techniques. If you want an even simpler option, try a version with minimal ingredients—the result is just as reliable.
The ingredient quantities for the savory pie with minced meat are designed for 2–3 servings, so feel free to increase the amounts if you’re serving a larger group.
Ingredients for the filling:

• mixed minced meat (pork and beef) – 300–500 g;
• hard cheese – 100–150 g;
• onion – 1–2 pcs;
• salt – to taste;
• black pepper – to taste;
• paprika – optional;
• herbs – to taste.

Ingredients for the batter:

• kefir – 200–400 ml;
• eggs – 2–3;
• flour – 250–300 g;
• baking powder – 1 tsp;
• oil – 2 tbsp;
• salt – a pinch;
• sesame seeds – for garnish.

Step-by-step preparation

1. Start with the filling. Sauté the chopped onion until translucent, then add the minced meat and cook until done. Season with salt and pepper, and optionally add paprika or a little garlic.
2. Add some grated cheese to the meat mixture – this will make the filling creamier.
3. For the batter, mix the kefir with the baking powder and let it sit for 5 minutes. Then add the eggs, oil, salt, and flour. Stir until smooth. The consistency should be similar to thick sour cream.
4. You can also add some cheese to the batter – this will make the crust even more flavorful.
5. Grease the baking dish and dust it with flour (cooks refer to this as a “French shirt”). Pour half of the batter, add the filling, and top with the remaining batter. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.
6. Bake the savory pie with minced meat in the oven at 180°C for about 30–40 minutes, until golden brown.

The pie tastes great warm and even the next day. If you prefer a lighter, more refined version, try a variation with a more open crust.

Life Hacks

• For a delicate flavor, add cheese to the batter; for a stretchier filling, add cheese to the meat. This pie uses cheese in both places.
• For a zesty flavor, add garlic or 2 tablespoons of your favorite sauce to the filling.
• Substitute kefir with sour cream for a denser batter.
• Take this pie along as a snack or serve it with a light salad.

And during pumpkin season, try a pumpkin variation — simple, aromatic, and easy to make.