Description

This family-friendly Flower Pot recipe, inspired by Minecraft, is a hearty, easy-to-make meal perfect for busy parents to get everyone involved in creating a memorable dinner. It combines a savory meat and vegetable filling with a creamy mashed potato topping, baked to golden perfection.

Ingredients

Scale

450 g lean ground beef or turkey
1 small onion, finely diced
2 carrots, finely diced
2 celery stalks, finely diced
1 cup (240ml) beef or vegetable broth
1.5 cups mixed vegetables (such as frozen peas, corn, and green beans)
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 tablespoons cooking oil
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
4 cups mashed potatoes (made from russets or Yukon golds)
2 tablespoons warm milk, optional (for thinning potatoes)

Instructions

Prepare Soil Filling: In a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven, brown the ground meat over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes until no pink remains, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain any excess fat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery, sautéing for 5-7 minutes until softened and fragrant. Stir in the beef or vegetable broth, bringing to a gentle simmer. Season with salt and pepper.
Build the Pots: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spoon the hearty meat and vegetable filling into individual oven-safe ramekins (10-12 oz for single servings) or a 9×13 inch casserole dish. Ensure an even layer, leaving room for the topping.
Top with Mashed Potatoes: Carefully spread the mashed potatoes over the filling, smoothing the top with a spoon. For a fun, Minecraft-inspired touch, create flower designs by gently drawing lines with a fork or using small cookie cutters for playful shapes. (If your topping feels too stiff, whisk in 1-2 tablespoons of warm milk until it is spreadable.)
Bake to Golden Perfection: Place the assembled flower pots on a baking sheet to catch any spills. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the filling is bubbly around the edges and the potato topping is lightly golden brown. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving this delightful flower pot recipe.

Notes

For a vegetarian option, substitute plant-based crumbles for meat and use vegetable broth. For a low-carb alternative, top with mashed cauliflower or a cheese-herb crust. To boost protein, add 0.5 cup cooked lentils to the meat filling. If the filling is watery before topping, simmer uncovered for 5-10 minutes to reduce it slightly.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 ramekin (approx 300g)
Calories: 400 calories
Sugar: 5 g
Sodium: 600 mg
Fat: 20 g
Saturated Fat: 8 g
Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 40 g
Fiber: 5 g
Protein: 30 g
Cholesterol: 80 mg

Keywords: family-friendly, comfort food, easy dinner, ground beef, mashed potatoes, baked, one-dish meal, Minecraft, hearty