Let’s do some Thanksgiving food today. These hand pies are super easy and I made them as a test run for the big day.
You know what it’s like with kids. They see the huge spread and you hear, “There’s nothing to eat”.
This year, I’m getting clever with the veggie side dish by slipping them in a hand pie. Everyone knows kids love small bites, right? I’m pretty sure if I stuffed a regular sized pie with roasted butternut squash and carrots and handed a slice of it to one of my boys, it would be pushed backed at me faster than the words “Uh, no thank you”.
Admittedly, I was that kid—heck, up until a few years ago, I was that kid in adult form. Yes, I’m a picky eater, but I’m getting so much better. . . look mom—I’m eating veggies of all sorts.
Speaking of veggies, I kept the butternut squash and carrot filling simple with a fast butter saute alongside some thyme and leeks then into the oven for a quick roasting. Sure, you can skip the saute portion and go straight to roasting, but don’t. The butter, leek and thyme gives the filling a rich flavor.
If you aren’t into these veggies, use what you like and then stamp out some pie crust and get filling. These go quick, and not so coincidentally, they are also very popular with adults. Ah-hem, I can vouch for that.
Thanksgiving Hand Pies
Makes 12- 15 2 inch hand pies
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb. pre-cut butternut squash
- 1 lb. carrots, chopped
- 1/3 cup chopped leeks, white and light green parts only
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon thyme
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 2 ready-made Pillsbury Pie crusts
Instructions
- Preparation: Heat oven to 450 degrees F.
- Heat olive oil in large oven proof skillet. Add in butternut squash, carrots, leeks salt and pepper (Make sure not to crowd the pan. If you don't have a large enough pan, work in two batches); stir and cook until about 5 minutes. Add in thyme and butter; stir to combine. Transfer skillet to oven and roast until golden and fork tender, about 10-15 minutes. (If you don't have an oven proof pan, transfer mixture to a bakesheet.) Remove from oven and cool to warm.
- Roll out chilled pie dough and stamp out 2 inch circles for hand pies. Place bottom layer of hand pie on parchment lined bakesheet and brush the perimeter with the egg wash. Place just a little over 1 tablespoon of butternut and carrot mixture in the center. Lightly stretch a second pie circle and place over the top of filling making sure the top covers the bottom; crimp edge with a fork and cut a small slit on top to allow steam to escape. Bake at 400 degrees until golden brown, about 10-12 minutes. Remove from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly.
You know, I’ve never had a hand pie.. but I’ve seen a few lately that have got me itching to try them. This looks delicious!! Thanks for the yummy recipe!
You have to try one Yvonne, so good!
I love this! Have you ever tried slipping a little cooked ground turkey into them? And maybe dipping them in cranberry ketchup? I’ve been at work for like 2 minutes and I’m already thinking about dinner! 🙂
I love that idea Tekesha!
These look perfect, Matt! I might have to sit at the kids table this year if this is what’s getting served!
Haha it would be so worth it Liz!
A great idea! I’m thinking of doing a galette for our vegetarian entree this year. Butternut squash, sage, cheese, butter… more cheese, more butter. 🙂
Thanks and that sounds INCREDIBLE Brian!
Hands pies are these best! These sounds so perfect for the Thanksgiving table! 🙂
Yes they are! Thanks Tieghan!
Man, you did a great job with those hand pies, they look awesome!
#wolfpackeats
Thanks Mike! Healthy and full of flavor too.
Mmmm, I love a good hand pie. Especially savory ones. I’m sure these would be a crowd pleaser!
Thanks so much Brandon!
LOL!! Yes, there’s nothing to eat, Mom! As in, where’s the pizza and mac ‘n cheese! 😉 These pies are so clever – I’d probably eat ’em all before they even get to show off at the dinner table. 😀
Right?! That drives me crazy and we were probably the same way. Thanks Kate!
Yes! How perfect for a crowd!
Thanks so much Rina!
Sweet or savory hand pies are the best! These are lookin’ saweet and will definitely be a hit for the big day. Nice!
Thanks Kevin!
How did you know that I have a soft spot for hand pies? Kids totally dig vegetables, as long as they’re presented in a cute way like this!
I’m psychic! Thanks so much Lisa.
Mmmk these hand pies are just THE cutest! Now I wish I was in charge of Thanksgiving this year so I could make these little guys!
I love the savory twist on these, so pretty!
Thank you Abby!
These are so fun! For kids of ALL ages, I might add. 😉
Thanks Marissa!
What a great idea! I’ve been on a major roasted squash kick lately, and I’m thinking I could go for some roasted squash stuffed into a pie shell. That would definitely get a thumbs up in our house! #WolfpackEats
I have too David, and every year I forget how much I miss it!
My family would go nuts for these hand pies on Thanksgiving.
I think they would be a hit for sure, Meagan. simple yet full of flavor!
There are some things about my kids that I will never understand. . but the small bites and finger foods, I totally get. Totally. LOVE these hand pies!! Butternut squash, leeks and thyme, dude. . love love love!
You always crack me up, thanks so much Alice!
Adorable!! How can anyone resist these?!
I couldn’t! 🙂 Thanks Nicole!
These are just little bites of heaven!!
You’re the best, thanks Zainab!
These are such a genius way to get the kiddies to eat their veggies! Love this idea! They look absolutely amazing and so much fun! I seriously can’t wait to try these – pinning 🙂
Between me and Cole, we wiped them all out quickly. So yes, they will be made again for Thanksgiving. Thanks Kelly!
Handheld Thanksgiving delight. Love this! Definitely great for picky eaters and the rest of the Thanksgiving guests 🙂
Yeah, it sucks being picky, but at least I can relate to my boys! Thanks Liz!
Very clever, Matt! Great way to get veggies in those little (and big) ones.
Thanks Paula! Hard to not like butternut squash, right?
Matt – I so know what you mean – when my daughter was younger there would be a whole table of food and she would say there was nothing to eat!!! I wish I had thought o these pies back then – though these pies appeal to me -even as an adult!
It cracks me up on holidays. I don’t think kids understand how good the food actually is!
Mmm I love butternut squash! This looks like a crowd pleaser at Thanksgiving. Your kids are so lucky! Between you and your wife I think the two of you must have some amazing dinners every night!
Thanks Sarah! We do eat pretty well, though much of it is given to our neighbors. Hopefully they enjoy it:)
These are awesome. Love making empanadas, but now I wanna try making these with some fruit inside. Nice creation, Matt!
Absolutely, love that idea!
These look so good I might even eat my veggies!
I am exactly the same way Ashley!
These looks so good! I don’t mind eatting my veggies if they are served lije this!
Me too Serena. And definitely kid-friendly.
These look excellent! Perfect tasty nutritious morsels. Yum! 😀
Thanks so much Padaek!
Amazing!!! I love that sweet & savory filling. So awesome.
Thank you Heather!
I love repurposing leftovers and this is hands down (get it, hand pies?!) the best leftover recreation ever!
Totally agree, thanks Megan!
Oh my, these look amazing!! That filling is Thanksgiving perfection!!
Thanks so much Tiffany!
I was totally that kid at Thanksgiving too. I probably still am, but I would definitely eat anything in pie form! Definitely a good way to sneak some veggies onto kids’ plates, or even a great way to use leftovers!
Little bites are the trick for sure, thanks Beth!
I was the strange kid that loved veggies and ate what my siblings didn’t want, too. My kids are a bit of a different story, so these would be great for them. And who doesn’t want a hand pie? These look incredible!
Then I wish you were my sibling growing up, Marcie. Would have been a huge help! 🙂 Thanks!
I love these, Matt! What a perfect bite for Thanksgiving or even the day after!
They’re fun huh? Thanks Laura. I love butternut squash so much this time of year.
MMmmm! I love savoury pies! and I could totally substitute my spelt pie crust with these. I’m getting hungry!
I wish I had some leftover and can’t wait to make them again for Thanksgiving in a couple weeks. Thanks!!
So cute! Love the combo of veggies in the filling too. 😀
Thanks so much Allie!
These are awesome. Hand pies are the perfect vehicle to get kids to eat anything 🙂
Yes they are for sure, thanks Aimee!
I think I shall skip making everything for Thanksgiving, and just make these hand pies because they are just so freakin’ adorable.
Right?! I feel the same way. I was literally eating one in bed the other night. While lying down. Couldn’t help myself. Thanks Justine!
Yep, forget the kids, these would even get me to eat my vegetables!
Exactly Dan!!
How much fun to have a big basket of these on the Thanksgiving table. YUM!
Thanks Brenda!
Laughed out loud when you talk about kids saying “there’s nothing to eat” when there’s so much food, lol!! These hand pies look incredible! My boys would love them!
Right Jen? It drives me nuts and I’m sure I use to do that too. Have a great weekend!
Omg this is fantastic! All the way pinned!
Thanks Jocelyn, have an awesome weekend!
Genius!! You know how we gotta work those kids 😉
Whatever it takes Gerry!
Fantastic repurposing Matt!! I’m in heart with these!
I heart these too Megan:) Thanks so much!
Matt, these are so great! I just included them in my Thanksgiving Recipe Roundup!
I saw that and thank you so much Sonali!
Bite-sized, pie, and squash?! I’m sold!
Right? They ended up way better than I imagined. Thanks Alyssa!
This is such a great idea! Granted, I’ll eat just about anything ensconced in a flaky crust, but I am a major fan of butternut squash and carrots.
Haha I would too! Thanks Nora:)
Hi Matt! I just found your blog and want to say hi from a fellow guy food blogger. It’s inspiring to see your (as well as your wife’s) blog doing so well. My girlfriend and I started ours about 6 months ago. Looking forward to following you guys and all the recipes to come. Best of luck!
Likewise Matt, thanks so much!
Dude, love this idea!!! I want all my sides served to me like this from here on out. There is no vegetable on this earth that I wouldn’t eat in hand pie form! Totally a genius move my man!
I am cracking up Chris. I am the same way, whatever, put it in a little pie and it will work. My kids feel the same way!