Pâté Chinois
Pâté Chinois is a classic Québécois comfort food, essentially a layered casserole pie that is the French-Canadian counterpart to Shepherd's Pie. It is traditionally made with a base of ground beef, a middle layer of creamed corn (or sometimes whole kernel corn), and a top layer of mashed potatoes, all baked until golden. It is a staple of home cooking and diner menus throughout Quebec.
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🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This is a hearty, calorie-dense dish that is high in carbohydrates from the potato and corn, and significant in fat and protein from the ground beef. A typical serving provides a good amount of iron, B vitamins, and potassium, but is also high in sodium, with a rough ballpark of 450-600 calories per generous serving.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 450 kcal |
| Protein | 22 g |
| Carbs | 35 g |
| Fat | 25 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 680 mg |
| Potassium | 520 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 2.5 µg |
| Iron | 4.2 mg |
| Zinc | 4.8 mg |
| Phosphorus | 280 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | 5.5 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.6 mg |
| Selenium | 18 µg |
Per 1 piece (approx. 250 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, the name 'Pâté Chinois' (Chinese Pie) is a humorous misnomer, with its origin debated but likely stemming from 19th-century slang or a playful reference to its layered construction. Nutritionally, it's a classic example of a 'complete meal in a dish,' combining protein, starch, and vegetables into a single, satisfying bake.
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AI estimate may be inaccurate · Terms