Best 5 Italian Cheese Rustica Pie Recipes

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Feast your eyes on the Italian Cheese Rustica Pie, a savory and delectable treat that embodies the essence of Italian cuisine. This traditional pie is a symphony of flavors and textures, featuring a flaky, golden crust that encases a rich and creamy filling of Italian cheeses, spinach, and herbs. The medley of cheeses, including ricotta, Parmesan, mozzarella, and Pecorino Romano, creates a symphony of flavors that dance on your palate. Spinach adds a vibrant green hue and a touch of earthy sweetness, while herbs like basil, oregano, and parsley infuse the filling with an aromatic freshness. This comprehensive guide will take you on a culinary journey, providing you with step-by-step instructions and all the necessary tips to create this Italian masterpiece in your own kitchen. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a novice, this comprehensive guide has everything you need to create a stunning Italian Cheese Rustica Pie that will impress your family and friends.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

PIZZA RUSTICA (EASTER PIE)



Pizza Rustica (Easter Pie) image

A deep-dish cousin to quiche that's packed with Italian deli meats and cheeses like prosciutto, pepperoni, soppressata, mozzarella and provolone, this rich pie, also called Easter pie, is traditionally made on Good Friday and served on the holiday to celebrate the end of Lent. This version came to The Times from Carlo's Bakery, in Hoboken, N.J., of "Cake Boss" fame, and it is the only savory item the bakery makes. It's typically eaten at room temperature, but the staff at Carlo's enjoys it warm right out of the oven.

Provided by Alex Witchel

Categories     dinner, casseroles, pies and tarts, pizza and calzones, main course

Time 2h30m

Yield One 10-by-15-inch pie

Number Of Ingredients 15

6 cups all-purpose flour, plus more as needed
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 pound chilled salted butter, cut into large pieces
5 large eggs, beaten
12 ounces prosciutto, in 1/4-inch dice
8 ounces boiled ham, in 1/4-inch dice
8 ounces pepperoni, in 1/4-inch dice
8 ounces soppressata, in 1/4-inch dice
8 ounces mozzarella, in 1/4-inch dice
8 ounces provolone, in 1/4-inch dice
2 pounds ricotta
4 ounces grated pecorino Romano
10 large eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon pepper
1 large egg, beaten, for brushing crust

Steps:

  • For the dough: In a large bowl, whisk together 6 cups flour and the salt. Using a pastry cutter, large fork, or two knives, cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add eggs and knead for 1 minute. Add about 1 1/4 cups ice water, a little at a time, to form a cohesive dough. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface until it forms a large smooth ball, about 5 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside for 30 minutes.
  • For the filling: Mix the meats, cheeses, the 10 eggs and pepper in a large bowl.
  • Heat oven to 350 degrees. Divide the dough into two pieces: two-thirds for the bottom crust and one-third for the top. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the larger portion of the dough into a rectangle to line the bottom and sides of a 10-by-15-inch glass baking dish, with some overhang. Add the filling and smooth it lightly. Moisten the edges of the dough with a little water.
  • Roll out the remaining dough to cover the top of the dish with some overhang. Trim off excess dough and crimp the edges to seal. Poke several sets of holes across the top with a fork. Bake for 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and brush top and edges with the beaten egg, then return to the oven until golden brown, another 45 minutes. Let pie cool completely before serving.

ITALIAN CHEESE RUSTICA PIE



Italian Cheese Rustica Pie image

Found this recipe in the Pillsbury Best of the Bake-Off Cookbook. I used 1-1/2 Cups of Ricotta when I made it.

Provided by Jen Geelen

Categories     Pies

Time 1h45m

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 box (15 oz) refrigerated pie crusts, softened as directed on box
3 eggs
1 c cubed cooked ham
1 c ricotta cheese or small curd cottage cheese
1 c shredded mozzarella
1 c cubed provolone or swiss cheese
4 Tbsp grated parmesan
1 Tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley
1/4 tsp dried oregano
dash(es) pepper
1 beaten egg, if desired

Steps:

  • 1. Make Pie Crust as directed on box for two crust pie, using 9" pie plate. Move oven rack to lowest position. Heat oven to 375.
  • 2. In a large bowl, slightly beat 3 eggs. Stir in ham, ricotta, mozzarella, provolone, 3 tablespoons of parmesan cheese, parsley, oregano, and pepper. Spoon mixture into pie crust-lined pan. Top with second crust; seal edges and flute. Cut slits in crust in several places. Brush beaten egg over top. Sprinkle with remaining parmesan cheese.
  • 3. Place pan on lowest oven rack. Bake 50-60 min or until golden brown. Cover edge of crust with strips of foil after 15-20 min of baking to prevent excessive browning. Let stand 10 min before serving.

ITALIAN EASTER PIE | PIZZA RUSTICA



Italian Easter Pie | Pizza Rustica image

This Italian Easter meat pie is also know as pizza rustica. This hearty ricotta and meat pie is customarily served at Easter, but it is a delicious meal anytime of the year.

Provided by Angela Allison

Categories     Main Course

Time 2h30m

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 ½ cups all purpose flour
½ cup cold butter, cubed ((one stick))
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large egg
1 teaspoon kosher salt
4 tablespoons cold water
15 ounces ricotta cheese
8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese ((about a cup))
2 ounces shredded parmesan ((about ¼ cup) )
4 large eggs, beaten
6 ounces ham, diced ((about 1 ½ cups))
2 ounces salami, chopped ((about ½ cup))
2 ounces prosciutto, chopped ((about ½ a cup))
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
1 large egg, beaten

Steps:

  • In a food processor fitted with the blade attachment, combine the flour, cold cubed butter, olive oil, egg, and salt. Pulse just until the mixture is combined; it should resemble coarse sand. With the food processor running, pour 4 tablespoons of cold water in and mix until the dough comes together and forms a ball.
  • Lay out a piece of plastic wrap. Dump the dough on to the plastic wrap and press together into a disk shape. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour or overnight.
  • In a large bowl, combine all of the filling ingredients, and mix until combined. Set aside.
  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Divide the dough into two pieces: two-thirds for the bottom crust and one-third for the top crust. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the larger piece of dough into a circular shape. Carefully place the dough in a greased springform pan and line the insides and bottom with it. You can use any scrap pieces to fill in the gaps in the pan.
  • Pour the ricotta filling into the crust. Use a spatula to smooth and even it out.
  • Roll out the remaining pie crust into a circle. Place it over top of the ricotta filling. Trim any excess overhang and use the side crust to roll over the top crust of the pie. Brush the pie with a beaten egg and make a small "x" shape in the middle of the pie to allow steam to escape.
  • Place the pie on the middle rack of the preheated oven and immediately reduce the temperature to 350 degrees. Bake for about 75 minutes or until the crust is golden brown. Let cool for five minutes before removing the collar; let sit for another 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 558 kcal, ServingSize 1 serving

PIZZA RUSTICA (A SICILIAN SAUSAGE AND PROSCIUTTO PIE)



Pizza Rustica (A Sicilian Sausage and Prosciutto Pie) image

My grandma Puglia would make this as an appetizer for Easter and Christmas. It can be a meal in itself with a tossed green salad. Enjoy!

Provided by myjo

Categories     Appetizers and Snacks     Pastries

Time 10h30m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 pounds ricotta cheese
2 pounds bulk Italian sausage
5 large eggs, beaten
1 pound shredded mozzarella cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
¼ pound prosciutto, chopped
freshly cracked black pepper to taste
2 pounds prepared pizza dough
1 egg
2 tablespoons water

Steps:

  • Place a piece of cheesecloth into a strainer, and place the ricotta cheese into the cheesecloth. Set a bowl underneath the strainer to catch drips, and refrigerate 8 hours, or overnight, to allow moisture to drip from ricotta.
  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
  • Place sausage into a large skillet over medium heat, and cook and stir until browned and crumbly, about 10 minutes. Drain excess grease, and allow sausage to cool.
  • Place the drained ricotta cheese into a large bowl, and stir in 5 beaten eggs and mozzarella cheese until well mixed. Mix in the cooked sausage, Parmesan cheese, parsley, prosciutto, and black pepper until thoroughly combined.
  • Divide the pizza dough into fourths, and roll out 2 of the pieces into 12-inch circles. Fit the circles into 2 10-inch pie plates, leaving 1 inch of dough hanging over the edge. Divide the filling between the 2 pies. Roll out 2 top crusts, place onto the pies, and fold the edges of the bottom crusts over the edges of the top crusts to seal. Crimp and flute the edges of the pie crusts.
  • Beat 1 egg with water in a small bowl, and brush the egg wash over the tops and edges of both pies. Cut several slits into the top crusts to vent steam.
  • Bake pies in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, then lower oven temperature to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Continue to bake until the crust is browned and the filling is hot, 45 to 50 more minutes. Serve at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 493 calories, Carbohydrate 32.5 g, Cholesterol 135.1 mg, Fat 26.2 g, Fiber 0.8 g, Protein 30 g, SaturatedFat 11.1 g, Sodium 1279.9 mg, Sugar 4 g

EASTER SAVORY PIE (PIZZA RUSTICA) RECIPE BY TASTY



Easter Savory Pie (Pizza Rustica) Recipe by Tasty image

Here's what you need: warm water, sugar, olive oil, instant yeast, all-purpose flour, salt, large eggs, ricotta cheese, fresh parsley, grated pecorino romano, ham, pepperoni, provolone cheese, salami, prosciutto, bread crumbs, large egg

Provided by Matthew Johnson

Categories     Breakfast

Yield 16 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

2 cups warm water
1 tablespoon sugar
½ cup olive oil
1 tablespoon instant yeast
5 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon salt
10 large eggs
16 oz ricotta cheese
1 cup fresh parsley, chopped
4 oz grated pecorino romano
8 oz ham, boiled, cubed
8 oz pepperoni, cubed
8 oz provolone cheese, cubed
8 oz salami, hard, cubed
4 oz prosciutto, chopped
1 ½ cups bread crumbs
1 large egg, beaten

Steps:

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, olive oil, and instant yeast.
  • Add the flour and salt, and mix the dough together with a wooden spoon until it forms a ball. Then knead the dough for 1 minute, or until it feels smooth and springy.
  • Cover the dough in the bowl with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place for 2 hours.
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
  • In a large bowl, add 10 eggs, ricotta, parsley, and Pecorino Romano. Whisk the mixture until smooth.
  • Add the ham, pepperoni, provolone, hard salami, prosciutto, and bread crumbs. Fold in the cubed meats and cheeses. The texture should be thick and slightly wet.
  • Once the dough has doubled in size, dump it onto a floured surface, knead for 2 minutes, and shape it into a ball. Roll the dough out to a rough circle, about ¼-inch (½-cm) thick.
  • With a pizza cutter or knife, cut out a large disc that is 2 inches (5-cm) wider than a 9-inch (23-cm) springform pan or round baking dish. With the rest of the dough, cut thick strips about 9 inches (23-cm) long and 1 inch (2 cm) thick.
  • Transfer the dough disc into the springform pan or baking dish. Gently press the dough against the bottom and sides of the pan, allowing the excess to hang over the sides.
  • Pour the egg, cheese, and meat mixture into the pan. Pack the filling down and smooth the top with a spatula.
  • Weave the strips of dough on top to create a decorative pattern. Trim any excess dough, then fold and crimp the edges. Brush the top with egg wash.
  • Bake the pizza rustica for 2 hours, or until the filling is cooked through and the pizza dough has browned.
  • Let the the pizza rustica cool completely. Remove from the pan. Chill in the refrigerator overnight on a wire rack.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 625 calories, Carbohydrate 44 grams, Fat 34 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 31 grams, Sugar 2 grams

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients, especially the cheese. Freshly grated Parmesan and Pecorino Romano will give the pie the best flavor.
  • Don't overwork the dough. It should be just combined and slightly sticky.
  • Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling it out. This will make it easier to work with and less likely to tear.
  • Use a sharp knife to cut the pie into slices. This will help prevent the cheese from sticking to the knife.
  • Serve the pie warm or at room temperature.

Conclusion:

Italian Cheese Rustica Pie is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any occasion. With its flaky crust and creamy cheese filling, this pie is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. So next time you're looking for a new recipe to try, give Italian Cheese Rustica Pie a try. You won't be disappointed!

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