Pulpetti tal-Laħam are traditional Maltese beef patties that are enjoyed in many homes in Malta. They are one of those recipes where it makes sense to prepare a big batch, because they are easy to reheat and can be eaten in so many different ways.
This oven-baked version is made with minced beef, pork sausage meat, potatoes, onion, garlic, herbs, curry powder, paprika, Worcestershire sauce and cheese. The potatoes help keep the patties soft, while baking them in the oven makes the recipe easier and lighter than frying.
You can serve these Maltese beef patties on their own, with salad, fries, potatoes or vegetables, or even inside bread like a burger. They are juicy, full of flavour and perfect as a family meal, snack or meal-prep recipe.
Pulpetti is a traditional Maltese recipe. It is something enjoyed in many families & homes in Malta. Pulpetti is a dish that you cook & it’s like a must to make extra that will last you for days. It is not only because they are delicious, but also because you can eat them in so many ways.
You can eat them by themselves. Serve them with a salad or some fries. Eat them in between bread, like a burger. Just eat them as you wish, the most important part is that you savor the deliciousness & enjoy them!
This time round I cooked up the Pulpetti tal-Laħam. Most simple translation or other way of describing them would be Beef Patties. They’re juicy & packed full of flavor.
As for the cooking method, the most common one would be to fry them. But my personal favorite is cook them in the oven. It’s simpler & it depends on your preference. With this recipe I have chose to cook them in the oven but do check in as I have in mind to also provide a different Pulpetti recipe that involves frying them.
For Pulpetti tal-Laħam there are people who choose to use pork, beef or a mixture of both. In this recipe we will be using beef & pork sausage meat.
For more Pulpetti recipes & different ones, you can already go check out my Tuna & Spinach Cakes (Pulpetti tat-Tonn). You won’t be disappointed! Enjoy these recipes & there are more to come, including Maltese recipes.
Beef Patties (Pulpetti tal-Laħam)
Ingredients
- 1 kg minced meat beef
- 500 g pork sausage
- 225 g yellow onion
- 1 tbsp thyme
- ½ tbsp rosemary
- 12 g parsley chopped
- 30 g garlic
- 2 tbsp curry powder
- 2 tbsp paprika powder
- 2 tbsp breadcrumbs
- 700 g potatoes
- 5 tbsp Worchestershire sauce
- 4 tbsp butter
- 150 g grated cheese
- ¼ vegetable stock cube
Instructions
- Preheat oven at 200C.
- Boil the potatoes with the ¼ vegetable stock cube.
- In a food processor, mince the onion, garlic & ¾ of the parsley. Then add the beef & sausage without casing, paprika, curry, Worchestershire sauce, thyme, breadcrumbs, cheese & rosemary. Mix it till it turns into a smooth texture.
- When the potatoes are done cooking, strain them & then add the butter to them. Mash them up.
- Mix in the potatoes to the meat mixture. Mix well.
- Put a baking paper on an oven baking sheet. Start to form balls with the meat mixture & then place them on the baking sheet. Flat them out with the palm of your hand.
- Cook in the oven for 13 minutes. Flip them & cook for another 13 minutes.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions About Pulpetti tal-Laħam
Yes. Once completely cooled, place the patties in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven until piping hot.
The mashed potatoes help keep the patties soft and juicy while baking. They also make the mixture easier to shape and create the fluffy texture that makes this family recipe different from many other beef patties.
Absolutely. You can prepare the meat mixture or shape the patties the day before and keep them covered in the refrigerator. Bake them just before serving for the best flavour and texture.
Baking gives these patties a lighter texture while using much less oil than frying. They still develop a delicious golden crust while staying juicy on the inside.
Pulpetti tal-Laħam are incredibly versatile. You can enjoy them on their own, serve them with a fresh salad, fries, potatoes or vegetables, or eat them in between bread like a delicious homemade burger. However you choose to serve them, the most important thing is to savour every bite and enjoy them!
