07/27/2026
Stovetop-Reduced Beef Pot Pie with Puff Pastry Lid
A concentrated stovetop beef stew thickened with a cornstarch slurry and finished with a flaky puff pastry lid for a dependable, everyday pot pie.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 pounds chuck roast, trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubes
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 2 celery ribs, diced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 3 cups low-sodium beef broth, divided
- 1 cup low-sodium beef broth (for deglazing, included above)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 cups small new potatoes, diced
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons cold water
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed (about 9x9 inches)
- 1 large egg beaten with 1 teaspoon water for egg wash (optional)
- 1 tablespoon butter (optional, for finishing)
- SECTION: Optional additions
- 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar (optional)
- 8 ounces sliced cremini mushrooms (optional)
- 22
Instructions:
1. SECTION: Preparation
2. Preheat oven to 400°F. Pat beef cubes dry and season with salt and pepper.
3. SECTION: Brown the beef
4. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a 5-quart Dutch oven over medium-high heat; brown beef in batches 4–5 minutes per batch and transfer to a plate.
5. SECTION: Aromatics and deglaze
6. Reduce heat to medium, add onion, celery, and carrots with a pinch of salt and cook 6–8 minutes; add garlic and cook 1 minute, then stir in tomato paste and cook 1 minute. Pour in 1 cup broth to deglaze, scraping browned bits.
7. SECTION: Simmer the stew
8. Return beef to the pot; add remaining 2 cups broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, bay leaf, and potatoes. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, cover partially, and simmer gently 60–75 minutes until beef is fork-tender and liquid has reduced by about one-third.
9. SECTION: Thicken the filling
10. Remove bay leaf. Whisk 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 3 tablespoons cold water to make a slurry, temper with a splash of hot liquid, stir into the pot off high heat, then simmer 2–3 minutes until sauce thickens and coats a spoon.
11. SECTION: Finish and bake
12. Smooth the filling, taste and adjust seasoning. Lay thawed puff pastry over the pot, tuck or trim edges, brush with egg wash if using, cut vents, place on a rimmed baking sheet and bake 20–25 minutes until pastry is golden. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
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