These savory mincemeat puff muffins are the perfect bite-sized treat for holiday gatherings, fall dinner parties, or cozy get-togethers. Buttery puff pastry cups are filled with seasoned ground beef, roasted eggplant, and a creamy béchamel sauce, then topped with melty mozzarella.
They may look fancy, but they’re so easy to make! Serve them fresh from the oven, and watch them disappear fast!
Recipe Details
- Prep time: 30 minutes
- Cook time: 30-45 minutes
- Yields: 12 Puff Muffins
Ingredients You’ll Need For This Recipe
- 1 T. olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 5 oz. minced beef
- Sea salt, to taste
- 1 medium eggplant, roasted
- 1 package (17.3 ounces) frozen puff pastry, thawed according to package instructions
- 1 c. mozzarella, shredded
- 1 egg yolk
Béchamel Sauce:
- 2 T. flour
- 1 T. butter
- 1 c. milk
- 1/4 t. nutmeg, freshly ground, prefered
- Sea salt, to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions
1- Preheat oven to 400°F and lightly grease a 12-cup muffin pan. Set aside.
2- Add olive oil to a small skillet and heat over medium-high heat.
3- Add onion and sauté 3-4 minutes.
4- Add beef and cook until cooked through and browned. Season to taste with salt. Set aside.
5- Wrap eggplant with foil and heat over a medium flame on a gas stove, turning every 2-3 minutes with tongs until cooked through approximately 12 minutes. Alternatively, poke holes with a fork, and roast at 400°F in oven turning once, 15-20 minutes depending on size.
6- Let eggplant cool and then peel and chop. Set aside.
7- In a medium saucepan, add flour and butter. Cook 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Slowly whisk in milk and mix well.
8- Cook stirring constantly 5-7 minutes or until béchamel sauce thickens. Add nutmeg and season to taste with salt.
9- Add chopped eggplant and combine. Set aside.
10- On a lightly floured surface, roll out pastry dough with a rolling pin. Cut into 5” x 5” squares.
11- Place dough squares into the prepared muffin pan.
12- Evenly divide beef mixture into the 12 cups. Top with béchamel sauce and mozzarella cheese.
13- Beat the egg yolk with a fork, and using a pastry brush, lightly brush the pastry dough.
14- Bake at 400°F for approximately 10 minutes or until the mozzarella begins to melt and the puff pastry has turned golden brown.
Pro Tips for Success
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Use Store-Bought Puff Pastry – To save time, use pre-made frozen puff pastry and thaw it according to the package instructions. It keeps things simple without sacrificing flavor!
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Make the Filling Ahead – Prepare the beef and béchamel sauce a day in advance and store them in the fridge. When ready to bake, just assemble and pop them in the oven!
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Customize the Cheese – Mozzarella is classic, but you can swap it for gruyère, cheddar, or parmesan for a different cheesy twist.
These savory mincemeat puff muffins are a warm, flaky, and delicious addition to your holiday spread or fall gatherings.
Easy to make and bursting with flavor, they’re guaranteed to impress! Serve them up and enjoy every crispy, cheesy bite.
