Kartofelnaya zapekanka
Baked mashed potato
Kartofelnaya zapekanka (Картофельная запеканка): mashed potato bake with minced beef and onion
Kindergarten kitchens across the USSR baked this in huge trays, and it is still the Wednesday supper many Russians remember: a layer of soft mashed potato, a layer of minced beef fried with onion, more mash on top, brushed with egg and sour cream so it browns in the oven. It is Russia's answer to cottage pie, eaten with pickled cucumbers or a beetroot salad. For a vegetarian version, swap the mince for 500 g chopped mushrooms fried until dry. The common mistake is a wet mince layer, which makes the potato slide off when you cut it. Chef's tip: let the bake rest for ten minutes after it leaves the oven; it slices into neat squares instead of collapsing.
- Total time
- 75 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
For the mash
For the filling
- 2 tbsp sunflower oil
- 2 onionsfinely chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp water
For the top
- 3 tbsp sour cream
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Method
0/6 doneStep 2: Heat 2 tbsp sunflower oil in a frying pan over a medium heat and fry 2 onions for 5 minutes until soft.
5 minStep 3: Add 1 ⅛ lb minced beef, or half beef half pork, breaking it up, and fry for 8–10 minutes until no pink remains and the juices have cooked away. Season with 1 tsp salt and ½ tsp black pepper, add the 3 tbsp water and cook until the pan is almost dry.
10 minStep 4: Heat the oven to 400°F (350°F fan). Butter a 20 x 30 cm dish and spread half the mash in it. Spread the mince over, then cover with the rest of the mash and smooth it.
5 minStep 5: Beat the remaining 1 eggs with 3 tbsp sour cream and brush it over the top. Bake for 25–30 minutes until deep golden; the filling should reach 160°F in the centre.
30 minStep 6: Rest for 10 minutes before cutting into squares.
10 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 430 kcal
- Protein
- 23 g
- Carbs
- 34 g
- Fat
- 22 g
- Fibre
- 3 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does kartofelnaya zapekanka take?
- About 75 minutes in total: 25 minutes to prepare and 50 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 6 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of potatoes?
- Sweet potato, same weight (sweeter, cooks a little faster).
- What can I use instead of butter?
- The same weight of ghee or coconut oil (for frying and most baking).
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