Description
Cowboy Pie is a hearty and comforting casserole perfect for using up leftover smoky sausage chili. This savory pie combines flavorful chili, pinto beans, and barbecue sauce, topped with creamy mashed potatoes and melted mature cheddar cheese. Baked until golden and bubbling, it’s an ideal family-friendly meal served with fresh coriander for a burst of freshness.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- â…“ batch smoky sausage chili (approximately 400g)
- 2 x 400g cans pinto beans, drained
- 1-2 tablespoons barbecue sauce (Heinz Sticky Barbecue Sauce)
Topping
- 2 x 400g packs ready-made mashed potatoes, microwaved for 2 minutes
- 50g mature cheddar, grated
Garnish
- Fresh coriander leaves to serve
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Heat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan)/gas mark 6 to get it ready for baking the pie.
- Warm Filling: In a medium saucepan, combine the smoky sausage chili and drained pinto beans. Warm the mixture over medium heat until steaming. Stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of barbecue sauce and taste; adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Assemble Pie: Pour the warm chili and bean mixture evenly into a 1.5-liter ovenproof dish. Spread the microwaved mashed potatoes on top evenly and sprinkle grated mature cheddar cheese over the mash.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the pie from the oven and sprinkle fresh coriander leaves on top before serving to add a fresh, herbaceous note.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of barbecue sauce to taste depending on how tangy or sweet you prefer the filling.
- For a smoother mash topping, mash the potatoes before microwaving if desired.
- If you don’t have leftover smoky sausage chili, you can prepare a quick chili with sausage and spices as a substitute.
- This dish can be made ahead and stored in the fridge before baking; just increase baking time slightly if baking from cold.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute the smoky sausage chili with a vegetarian chili and ensure the cheese is suitable for vegetarians.
