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You are here: Home / Beef / Italian Minced Beef Plait – so quick & easy to prepare!

Italian Minced Beef Plait – so quick & easy to prepare!

Updated 10 May 2024 Published 11 January 2017 98 Comments

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Italian Minced Beef Plait - Fab Food 4 All

In association with Wahl

Italian Minced Beef Plait is a quick and easy recipe that is like a cross between a meatloaf and a Beef Wellington – delicious and sure to please the family with its hidden veg.

Italian Minced Beef Plait - Fab Food 4 All

I have a really simple and easy recipe for you today, Italian Minced Beef Plait. I was very happy to be approached by Wahl who asked me to develop a hearty meal using the Wahl James Martin Grind and Chop which is available in Argos.

I can’t tell you what a handy little machine this is.

For my Italian Minced Beef Plait, I used the chopper bowl attachment for mincing the onions, garlic, celery, and carrot and for chopping the cheese, making breadcrumbs, and beating the egg.

It was like having an extra pair of helping hands and really sped up the preparation process. It also comes with a grinder bowl with which you can grind things like spices and coffee.

Italian Minced Beef Plait - Fab Food 4 All

Operating the Wahl James Martin Grind and Chop is so simple, you just twist in the chopper or grinder bowl (handily labelled) then pop over the clear cup-like lid and press down.

It’s so easy and there’s no strain on your thumb like you can get when operating similar machines. The cup lid simply presses down onto an inconspicuous switch on the rim of the machine, you just need to make sure the cup is straight.

I am very impressed with this little gadget and will be keeping it on my worktop as it is small enough to not get in the way.

Italian Minced Beef Plait - Fab Food 4 All

I love that I can grate cheese, beat an egg, mince onion, and make bread crumbs in seconds which are things I do all the time.

There is a handy recipe booklet from James Martin that has recipes for things like spice mixes, curry paste, and pesto so I look forward to trying these and developing some more recipes of my own.

I think you’ll love my Italian Minced Beef Plait because there is no pan frying of vegetables in the prep of this dish, they’re all pulverised in the Wahl James Martin Grind and Chop so go straight into the mince along with all the other ingredients.

Your family or friends will think you’ve slaved for hours making this impressive-looking plait but it is so quick and easy to prepare.

My family all loved it and I served it with a salad and new potatoes but it would be equally good with an assortment of vegetables.

Everyone had seconds but I kept a slice back for my lunch the next day which was also delicious (along with the leftover new potatoes and salad)!

Italian Minced Beef Plait - Fab Food 4 All

I hope you make this Italian Minced Beef Plait as it’s something a bit different to make with minced beef. If you’d like more photos of the plaiting technique take a look at my Sweet Chilli Sausage Plait.

More Minced Beef Recipes

For more inspiration using minced beef (aka ground beef) check out these recipes:

  • Minced Beef Hotpot – Fab Food 4 All
  • Minced Beef and Onions – Fab Food 4 All
  • Simply Delicious Spaghetti Bolognese – Fab Food 4 All
  • Homemade East Coast Style Donair Kebabs – Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary
  • Wild Mushroom Meatballs with Garlic Bruschetta – The Petite Cook

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Italian Minced Beef Plait - Fab Food 4 All

NB: Post commissioned by Wahl and all opinions are my own.

Leave a comment and rating below when you’ve made this recipe; I love getting your feedback! You can also share your pictures by tagging @FabFood4All over on Instagram.

Italian Minced Beef Plait - Fab Food 4 All
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Italian Minced Beef Plait – so quick & easy to prepare.

Italian Minced Beef Plait is a quick and easy recipe which is like a cross between a meat loaf and a Beef Wellington – delicious and sure to please the family with its hidden veg.
Course Main
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time 1 hour hour
Total Time 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes
Servings 4 – 5
Author Camilla Hawkins

Ingredients

  • 500 g good quality minced beef or steak
  • I onion quartered
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 medium carrot chopped into chunks
  • 1 celery stick chopped into chunks
  • 2 slices stale bread 100g torn up
  • 1 – 2 tsp Italian mixed herbs
  • 4 tbsp tomato puree
  • 50 g mature Cheddar cheese cubed
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp pepper
  • 320 g sheet ready rolled puff pastry
  • additional egg for egg wash

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 180ºC and place a sheet of non-stick baking paper onto a large baking tray.
  • Put the minced beef in a large bowl.
  • Mince the garlic and onion together in the Wahl James Martin Grind and Chop using the chopper bowl, then add to the mince.
  • Next mince the carrot and celery in the same Grind and Chop bowl and add to the mince.
  • Place the torn bread into the Grind and Chop to make breadcrumbs, then add to the mince.
  • Put the cubes of Cheddar in the Grind and Chop and chop until like fine gravel, then add to the mince.
  • Beat the egg using the Grind and Chop and add to the mince.
  • Finally add the herbs, tomato puree, salt, and pepper and mix thoroughly with your hand.
  • Unroll the pastry and transfer it to the lined baking sheet.
  • Place the mince on top of the pastry and form into a long brick shape leaving a 4 cm gap at each end.
  • Next, take a knife and cut 1.5 cm strips down each side at a 45º angle.
  • Fold one end flap of the pastry over the end of the mince (trimming as necessary) and then draw up alternate strips of pastry to form a plait (wet the ends of the strips if necessary so they stick).
  • Once you get close to the end fold up the end flap of the pastry (trimming as necessary) and then finish the plait with the end tucked in.
  • Finish off by beating an egg in the Grind & Chop and brush the egg wash over the plait.
  • Place on the middle shelf of the oven and bake for 1 hour until pastry is golden and mince cooked.
  • Serve with vegetables or salad of your choice.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Dee

    08/05/2024 at 11:29 pm

    Absolutely tasty, my family loved it and I will definitely be making it again. Great recipe especially for something different to make with minced beef

    Reply
    • Camilla

      10/05/2024 at 2:44 pm

      Thank you Dee, so glad you and your family loved it. I must make it again soon myself!

      Reply
  2. Julie Fisher

    28/06/2023 at 6:24 pm

    Will do and soon, mince already defrosting!
    Thanks re Pinterest info.

    Reply
    • Camilla

      28/06/2023 at 11:09 pm

      Awesome and you’re welcome:-)

      Reply
  3. Julie

    27/06/2023 at 2:19 pm

    Two things Im thinking.
    I don’t do well with pastry.
    1. Maybe I could make it as a meatloaf in a mould.
    2. I wonder if it could all go in a slow cooker a d e keft to cook.

    Reply
    • Camilla

      27/06/2023 at 5:20 pm

      Hi Julie, that sounds like a good idea to make a meatloaf. I just saw a meatloaf made in the slow cooker on Pinterest the other day so have a Google to establish some more info about how to do it and cooking times. Let me know how you get on as I did think it sounded like a great idea. The one I saw had a sauce over it, not sure if it was applied before or after cooking.

      Reply
  4. Caroline

    10/10/2022 at 5:45 pm

    Can I do this with shortcrust pastry instead of puff?

    Reply
    • Camilla

      10/10/2022 at 10:38 pm

      Hi Caroline, I don’t think it would work with shortcrust pastry because it tears really easily whereas shortcrust pasty is more elastic. On a Google search of short crust pastry plaits, nothing came up so I think that says it all.

      Reply
  5. Derek Stewart

    27/06/2022 at 1:29 pm

    Im going to try this now however,im worried mince wont cook properly and if I leave it in longer the pastry will burn. Should I brown the mince first?

    Reply
    • Camilla

      27/06/2022 at 7:24 pm

      Hi Derek, no, the recipe works perfectly. If you browned the mince it wouldn’t hold together plus it would be dried out from being cooked twice.

      Reply
  6. sharon

    19/04/2021 at 8:26 pm

    i don’t like cheese, can i use this recipe but
    don’t include the cheese

    Reply
    • Camilla

      19/04/2021 at 11:40 pm

      Yes, that should be fine Sharon.

      Reply
  7. Sena Rajaram

    12/01/2021 at 3:43 pm

    Just made it for my fam jam and pickiest eaters liked it! Hooraaaah! Thanks for a great recipe!

    Reply
    • Camilla

      12/01/2021 at 5:12 pm

      Awesome Sena, so please you all like it!

      Reply
    • Camilla

      12/01/2021 at 5:17 pm

      Awesome Sena, so pleased you all like it!

      Reply
  8. Caroline

    15/09/2020 at 8:07 pm

    This recipe is a crowd pleaser in our house. We normally make 2 smaller plaits from this quantity, put in the oven on recommended temp and then take one out after 20 mins, cool and freeze. When we next want it, we defrost in the fridge overnight and cook for 25 mins. We’ve had with a huge salad as it’s hot outside tonight but also with sweet potato mash, broccoli and gravy in the past. Quick and easy and fussy eaters love it.

    Reply
    • Camilla

      15/09/2020 at 8:26 pm

      Excellent Caroline, so glad you like the recipe and have made it last for 2 meals:-)

      Reply
  9. Cindy

    12/03/2020 at 5:29 am

    Can this be made and frozen?

    Reply
    • Camilla

      12/03/2020 at 2:24 pm

      Hi Cindy, I haven’t tried this but I would advise freezing after plaiting the pastry and before adding the egg wash. Then thaw overnight in a fridge for the following night and bake.

      Reply
  10. Renier

    04/08/2019 at 2:59 pm

    Nah. Ingredients still taste raw…even after an hour 15 min. Would suggest to first frie everything in a pan before cladding with the pastry. Great idea though.

    Reply
    • Camilla

      04/08/2019 at 11:34 pm

      Hi Renier, I’m sorry to hear that, no-one else has ever reported a problem. The recipe does say to bake until the meat is cooked as ovens can vary so much, a digital food thermometer is a great idea and I couldn’t live without mine.

      Reply
  11. Maya Russell

    15/03/2018 at 6:08 am

    I like the fact that you don’t have to pre-fry the onions or anything else. Even the pastry looks easy.

    Reply
    • Camilla

      15/03/2018 at 10:37 am

      Thanks Maya, it is a very easy recipe:-)

      Reply
  12. Toni

    10/03/2018 at 7:35 pm

    Very easy and very yummy

    Reply
  13. Richard Eldred Hawes

    13/05/2017 at 10:05 pm

    Looks easy and tasty, will have to buy some mince

    Reply
    • Camilla

      14/05/2017 at 12:30 am

      Great Richard:-)

      Reply
  14. James Travis

    16/04/2017 at 10:42 pm

    Looks tasty

    Reply
  15. natalie moore

    21/03/2017 at 4:22 pm

    this looks so yummy i must try this!

    Reply
    • Camilla

      21/03/2017 at 5:15 pm

      Thanks Natalie, I’m sure you’ll love it:-)

      Reply
  16. Sheena Batey

    05/03/2017 at 5:01 pm

    Trying to avoid pastry but I might just allo myself to be tempted by this recipe.

    Reply
    • Camilla

      06/03/2017 at 12:04 am

      Fab, I’m sure you’d love it-)

      Reply
  17. rebecca_102

    21/02/2017 at 2:36 pm

    This looks lovely and even better it’s made so simple. Will definitely be trying this for dinner very soon!

    Reply
  18. Mike

    21/02/2017 at 12:16 pm

    This looks very tasty.

    Reply
  19. Carl

    20/02/2017 at 6:05 pm

    Looks a great idea for a treat.

    Reply
  20. Lia Burns

    20/02/2017 at 5:30 pm

    This looks real good, I think my kids would like it too, will have to give it a go x

    Reply
    • Camilla

      20/02/2017 at 8:47 pm

      Thanks Lia, I’m sure they’d love it-)

      Reply
  21. Sally

    20/02/2017 at 4:17 pm

    I will certainly have to give this a try.

    Reply
  22. Susie Wilkinson

    19/02/2017 at 4:02 pm

    That looks like a great recipe for a weekday meal, I’ll be giving it a go in the next few weeks!

    Reply
    • Camilla

      19/02/2017 at 9:02 pm

      Great Susie, do let me know what you think:-)

      Reply
  23. Sheila Reeves

    19/02/2017 at 7:56 am

    Love the sound of this different style of serving mince, great change from making with pasta, and love that there could be left0overs for lunch too!

    Reply
    • Camilla

      19/02/2017 at 9:12 pm

      Thanks Sheila, yes it’s easy to get into a groove when cooking!

      Reply
  24. Sandra Jo Siddall

    18/02/2017 at 12:41 pm

    Oh that looks and sounds yummy! I think I will have a go tonight

    Reply
    • Camilla

      18/02/2017 at 11:49 pm

      Fabulous Sandra, do hope you enjoyed it:-)

      Reply
  25. mandajane

    11/02/2017 at 10:57 pm

    this looks so good and even I could make it

    Reply
    • Camilla

      11/02/2017 at 11:01 pm

      Thanks, yes it is really simple:-)

      Reply
  26. Tracey S Anderson

    08/02/2017 at 7:47 pm

    The grinder looks as though it could be a fabulous helping hand in the kitchen. Never been one to make a good pastry although i may try this looks delciious x x

    Reply
    • Camilla

      08/02/2017 at 8:50 pm

      It’s so good, I even made icing sugar in it the other day when I ran out. Recipe uses shop bought pastry so no worries there:-)

      Reply
  27. Amy Fidler

    03/02/2017 at 8:07 am

    Think im gonna attempt this next week x

    Reply
    • Camilla

      03/02/2017 at 2:58 pm

      Excellent Amy, it’s so easy:-)

      Reply
  28. Margaret

    22/01/2017 at 8:57 pm

    What a delightful way to treat my family to traditional home cooked food i ll certainly give this a go

    Reply
    • Camilla

      23/01/2017 at 12:23 am

      Thanks, great Margaret, glad to have inspired you-)

      Reply
  29. Emma Smith

    20/01/2017 at 1:15 pm

    I am really loving the look of this and am sure it will be a hit with all of the family.

    Reply
    • Camilla

      20/01/2017 at 4:16 pm

      Thanks Emma I’m sure your family will love it:-)

      Reply
  30. Angela

    18/01/2017 at 6:51 pm

    Oh my, this sounds delicious! Looks beautiful too! Saving this to try soon!

    Reply
    • Camilla

      18/01/2017 at 7:30 pm

      Thank you Angela, I’m sure you’ll love it:-)

      Reply
  31. Heather Haigh

    18/01/2017 at 7:52 am

    Lovely tasty, easy recipe, perfect for cold days to bring comfort and smiles

    Reply
    • Camilla

      18/01/2017 at 11:55 am

      Thanks Heather, will be making this again soon:-)

      Reply
  32. Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche

    17/01/2017 at 2:52 pm

    That machine sounds so handy for doing all kinds of jobs! Like you say, it’s like having a little assistant in the kitchen! 🙂

    Reply
    • Camilla

      17/01/2017 at 8:33 pm

      It really is great Becca:-)

      Reply
  33. Nettie Moore

    16/01/2017 at 8:13 pm

    This will wow the crowds! Just gorgeous! Nettie

    Reply
    • Camilla

      16/01/2017 at 10:16 pm

      Thank you Nettie:-)

      Reply
  34. Manila Spoon (Abigail)

    16/01/2017 at 8:06 pm

    I love quick and easy and this Beef plait looks totally delicious!

    Reply
    • Camilla

      16/01/2017 at 10:17 pm

      So do I, thank you:-)

      Reply
  35. cakespy

    14/01/2017 at 6:14 pm

    LOVE This! it looks so fancy, I couldn’t believe how accessible the recipe is! Awesome work, and thank you for sharing with us!

    Reply
    • Camilla

      14/01/2017 at 6:35 pm

      Thank you, I do love maximum impact, minimum effort cooking:-)

      Reply
  36. Katie Bryson

    14/01/2017 at 10:11 am

    What a fantastic family-friendly Recipe Camilla, my boys would LOVE this. I think I’ll try making it with veggie mince. I love the sound of that gadget btw… what a timesaver!

    Reply
    • Camilla

      14/01/2017 at 4:06 pm

      Thanks Katie, yes or a nut loaf type of thing could work well too:-)

      Reply
  37. Richard Eldred Hawes

    13/01/2017 at 10:57 pm

    Will make a nice change from the sausage one I usually make

    Reply
    • Camilla

      14/01/2017 at 1:16 am

      Thanks Richard, yes it will:-)

      Reply
  38. Helen Moulden

    13/01/2017 at 9:19 pm

    This looks incredible! I’m going to try it on a sunday instead of the usual roast.

    Reply
    • Camilla

      13/01/2017 at 10:26 pm

      Thank you:-) Great Helen, do let me know what you think!

      Reply
  39. Roz goodgame

    13/01/2017 at 8:55 pm

    It looks fantastic. Pastry so perfect and golden too

    Reply
    • Camilla

      13/01/2017 at 10:27 pm

      Thank you Roz, no soggy bottoms here:-)

      Reply
  40. Helen at Casa Costello

    13/01/2017 at 8:46 pm

    Oh its been yonks since I had a minced beef plait – Its a real hearty family favourite and yours looks great. That looks a really handy gadget too – I like that it doesn’t take up too much worktop space.

    Reply
    • Camilla

      13/01/2017 at 10:26 pm

      Thanks Helen, I’ve never had one before but it’s just like a meatloaf in pastry really:-)

      Reply
  41. Karen Burns-Booth

    13/01/2017 at 7:12 pm

    We would all love this here, as I make a sausage plait that JUST flies off the table! LOVE the look of your beefy plait here though Camilla! Karen

    Reply
    • Camilla

      13/01/2017 at 10:23 pm

      Thanks Karen, it was indeed my sausage plait recipe that gave me the inspiration when I saw my own pin the other night:-)

      Reply
  42. Kathi

    13/01/2017 at 6:03 pm

    What an easy and wonderful recipe!! Would be a nice change up from our regular meals!

    Reply
    • Camilla

      13/01/2017 at 10:20 pm

      Thank you Kathi:-)

      Reply
  43. sue | theviewfromgreatisland

    13/01/2017 at 5:11 pm

    What a gorgeous comforting dinner ~ so fancy, but you’ve made it seem easy. I just happen to have puff pastry in the freezer, so this is happening in my kitchen asap!

    Reply
    • Camilla

      13/01/2017 at 10:09 pm

      Thank you:-) Excellent Sue, so glad to have inspired you!

      Reply
  44. Emily @ Recipes to Nourish

    13/01/2017 at 4:51 pm

    Wow this sounds wonderful! I’ve never had anything like it before. This would be a huge hit with my husband.

    Reply
    • Camilla

      13/01/2017 at 4:54 pm

      Thanks Emily, I’m sure it would:-)

      Reply
  45. Michelle @ Greedy Gourmet

    13/01/2017 at 4:01 pm

    This sounds so handy for a quick preparation of meal. And not only that, minced beef is one of my old favorite.

    Reply
    • Camilla

      13/01/2017 at 4:57 pm

      The Grind and Chop is so very handy and perfect for this recipe:-)

      Reply
  46. Willow | Will Cook For Friends

    13/01/2017 at 3:30 pm

    This sounds so delicious! You’re right, it really does look impressive, but the recipe seems totally manageable.

    And what a handy little gadget!! I see people showing off giant contraptions all the time, but I love how small this is. I don’t have a lot of extra kitchen space, but it looks like this could replace my current spice grinder and fit in the same spot. Plus it would double for grinding and chopping things that are too small to get hit by the blades of a full-sized food processor. (Not to mention it would be way less hassle to get out and clean than a regular food processor… ugh, what a pain.) I’ll definitely have to check one of these out, thank you!

    Reply
    • Camilla

      13/01/2017 at 4:57 pm

      Great Willow, glad you like my plait and the Grind and Chop which is just like having and extra pair of helping hands on the worktop without cluttering it!

      Reply
  47. Choclette

    13/01/2017 at 1:42 pm

    That grinder sounds really handy. Finely chopping and mincing can be a bit of a chore. Love the look of your plait too. I need to be more adventurous with pastry.

    Reply
    • Camilla

      13/01/2017 at 2:24 pm

      Thank you Choclette, yes the Wahl James Martin Grind & Chop is so incredibly handy and a great size!

      Reply
  48. Andrea @ The Petite Cook

    13/01/2017 at 12:29 pm

    Such a great dish to enjoy right now! I’s freezing outside and this looks just the perfect comfort food 🙂

    Reply
    • Camilla

      13/01/2017 at 2:24 pm

      Thank you Andrea, yes perfect for this weather:-)

      Reply
  49. A S,Edinburgh

    12/01/2017 at 11:40 pm

    That looks delicious! Good to hear that the gadget has a high usefulness-to -space-consumption ratio; I’m sure it could be handy for a lot of people.

    Reply
    • Camilla

      13/01/2017 at 12:47 am

      Thanks! Yes I’m so short of space that a gadget really has to earn its keep and this one’s a winner:-)

      Reply
  50. Fish Fingers for Tea

    12/01/2017 at 6:01 pm

    I love this kind of thing! It’s always so warming and comforting.

    Reply
  51. William Gould

    12/01/2017 at 11:45 am

    Wow! That does look good! I think it may take me longer than 15 minutes to prepare though…. lol 🙂

    Reply
    • Camilla

      12/01/2017 at 12:14 pm

      Thanks William, yes the whole prep process was massively sped up by the Wahl James Martin Grind & Chop gadget – a little dynamo:-)

      Reply
  52. Amy Fidler

    12/01/2017 at 8:19 am

    Looks great,tasty and simple to make

    Reply
    • Camilla

      12/01/2017 at 12:15 pm

      Thanks Amy, it’s so easy, I’ll be making this a lot now:-)

      Reply

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