Stuffed Mashed Potato Nests
Stuffed Mashed Potato Nests feature crisp, golden potato shells piped into nest shapes and filled with a savory mixture of lean ground beef, sweet red bell pepper, and onion. They make a stylish appetizer or a fun dinner that comes together with about 25 minutes of hands-on work.
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Potato ricer or masher
- Large piping bag with open star tip
- Rimmed baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Large skillet
Ingredients
- 3 lbs Russet potatoes peeled and cubed
- 4 tbsp Unsalted butter melted
- 1/2 cup Heavy cream
- 2 large Egg yolks room temperature
- 3 tbsp Fresh dill finely chopped
- 1 tsp Sea salt
- 1 lb Lean ground beef
- 1 large Red bell pepper diced small
- 1 small Yellow onion minced
- 3 tbsp Tomato paste
- 1 tsp Smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp Cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Place peeled and cubed potatoes in a large pot, cover with cold salted water, and boil until fork-tender, 12-15 minutes. Drain well and steam dry for 1 minute.
- Rice or mash potatoes, then stir in melted butter, warm heavy cream, egg yolks, dill, and salt until smooth.
- Transfer mixture to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe 12 nests onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, each with a deep center well.
- Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 18-22 minutes until edges are golden and nests are set. Cool 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, brown ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat, 5-6 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add diced bell pepper and minced onion; cook 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in tomato paste, smoked paprika, and black pepper; cook 1 minute.
- Spoon filling into baked nests, return to oven for 5-7 minutes until heated through. Garnish with extra dill and serve warm.
Notes
Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Freeze unbaked piped nests for up to 1 month; bake from frozen adding 5-7 minutes.
Reheating: Reheat in a 375°F oven for 8-10 minutes until crisp. Avoid microwave to prevent sogginess.
Best Tips: Steam-dry potatoes after draining to avoid a watery mash. Warm the cream before adding. Chill piped nests for 10 minutes before baking if they spread.
Variations: Add 1/2 cup shredded cheddar to the potato mixture. Swap beef for ground turkey or lentils. Add chili flakes for heat.