Stuffed Mashed Potato Nests

Ingredients
For the mashed potato nests
1.5 kg potatoes
50 g butter
1 egg
3–4 tablespoons milk
Salt to taste
Black pepper
A handful of fresh dill, finely chopped
For the meat filling
400 g ground beef
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 small carrot, diced
1 small red pepper, diced
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder or 2 fresh garlic cloves, minced
Optional: 1 tablespoon tomato paste
Topping
100 g shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
Preparation – Step by Step1. Prepare the mashed potato base
Peel the potatoes, cut them into chunks, and boil in salted water until completely soft.
Drain well and mash them while still hot.
Add butter, milk, egg, salt, and black pepper. Mix until smooth and creamy.
Stir in the finely chopped dill.
Let the mixture cool until it becomes firm enough to shape by hand.
Tip: If the mixture is too soft, refrigerate it for 15–20 minutes.
2. Shape the potato nests
Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
Take a handful of potato mixture and shape it into a ball.
Press the center down with your fingers to create a well or “nest.”
Make sure the sides are thick enough to hold the filling.
Repeat until all the potato mixture is used.
3. Prepare the meat filling
Heat olive oil in a pan.
Add onions and sauté until soft and translucent.
Add the carrot and red pepper. Cook for 3–4 minutes.
Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon.
Season with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic.
Optional: Add tomato paste and cook for another 2 minutes to deepen the flavor.
Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
4. Fill and assemble
Spoon the meat mixture into each potato nest, pressing gently to fill them well.
Sprinkle shredded cheese on top of each nest.
For decorative variety, you can leave some nests without cheese and score the tops with a fork as shown in the photo.
5. Bake
Preheat the oven to 200°C (390°F).
Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the cheese melts and turns golden brown.
Remove from the oven and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Serve warm with a fresh green salad or yogurt sauce.
Drizzle with melted butter or garlic yogurt for extra richness.
They also pair wonderfully with roasted vegetables.
Tips for Perfect Results
Adding dill to the potato gives extra freshness, but you can replace it with parsley.
Don’t skip the egg; it helps the potato nests keep their shape during baking.
The filling can be customized with mushrooms, peas, corn, or spices like cumin.
For a creamier texture, add a spoon of cream cheese into the potato mixture.