Pastel de Papas (Chilean Potato Pie)

Pastel de papas is a Chilean potato pie. This Latin American comfort food is made with ground beef, mashed potatoes, tomatoes, and Chilean Panquehue cheese.

• Preparation Time: 35 mins
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 5 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 40 mins
• Calories: 366 Calories

Ingredients

• salt to taste
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 tablespoons butter, or to taste
• 2 medium tomatoes, diced
• 5 cups potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 2 tablespoons shredded panquehue cheese
• 0.5 cup vegetable oil
• 0.5 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 2-quart baking dish.

Step 2

Place potatoes into a large pot and cover with salted water; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes.

Step 3

While the potatoes are cooking, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir until translucent, about 5 minutes, adding garlic for the last minute. Stir in diced tomatoes and tomato paste; cook until tomatoes soften and begin to lose their shape, 3 to 5 minutes.

Step 4

Add ground beef to the skillet; cook and stir until browned and crumbly, about 10 minutes. Stir in Panquehue cheese, parsley, and cayenne pepper; season with salt and pepper. Turn off the heat and let sit until needed.

Step 5

Drain potatoes in a colander, then allow to steam dry for 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer potatoes back to the pot, add butter and salt, and mash until smooth. Let cool until just warm, 5 to 10 minutes, then stir in beaten egg.

Step 6

Spread 1/2 of the mashed potatoes over the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Layer ground beef mixture over top, then completely cover with remaining potatoes.

Step 7

Bake in the preheated oven until potatoes are hot and lightly browned on top, about 40 minutes.