Best 5 Italian Easter Pie Pizza Rustica Aka Ham Pie Recipes

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**Italian Easter Pie (Pizza Rustica): A Culinary Journey into Italian Traditions**

Embark on a delightful culinary adventure with the Italian Easter Pie, also known as Pizza Rustica or Ham Pie. This savory and delectable dish holds a special place in Italian cuisine, particularly during the Easter celebrations. Originating from the central regions of Italy, this pie is a testament to the country's rich culinary heritage and the art of transforming simple ingredients into extraordinary creations. Its golden, flaky crust encases a symphony of flavors, including succulent ham, creamy cheeses, aromatic herbs, and a touch of nutmeg. This article presents a comprehensive guide to crafting this iconic pie, featuring step-by-step instructions and variations to suit different preferences. Join us as we delve into the secrets of this traditional dish and discover the joy of homemade Italian cooking.

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

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

ITALIAN EASTER PIE / PIZZA RUSTICA (AKA "HAM PIE") RECIPE - (4.4/5)



Italian Easter Pie / Pizza Rustica (Aka

Provided by janriff924

Number Of Ingredients 19

PIE CRUST:
1 pastry for double-crust pie, 10 inch (or you can make the "yeast dough pie crust ")
3 1/4 cups flour
1 1/2 tablespoons leaf lard or 1 1/2 tablespoons butter
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 (1/4 ounce) envelope yeast
1 cup water
PIE FILLING:
2 pounds sweet Italian sausage links
1/4 pound prosciutto, chopped
1/2 pound cooked ham, diced
2 pounds ricotta cheese
12 ounces mozzarella cheese, diced
5 eggs
1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley (flat leaf)
1/4 cup freshly grated romano cheese or 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Make the yeast dough crust: In a cup, mix yeast and warm water together. Place flour on a pastry board, add leaf lard (or butter), salt, pepper and yeast/water mixture. Work together well until dough forms, continue working the dough until it is elastic and smooth. Place dough in a deep dish, cover and allow it to rise in a warm place for 2 hours, or until doubled in volume. When dough has risen, cut into 2 pieces. Stretch one piece to fit into a greased 9 x 2 1/2-inch round cake pan. Preheat oven to 375°F. Prepare filling as described below. After filling the dough lined pan, stretch second piece of dough and place over the filling, pressing the edges closed. If there is a lot of excess dough left on the edge, carefully trim some, but leave enough to flute the sealed edge. (I like to brush the crust with a bit of beaten egg before baking, to give it a gloss.) If you use a regular pie crust dough: Preheat oven to 400°F. Prepare pastry and line a 10 inch pie pan. Prick dough with a fork, and sprinkle with a bit of flour. Prepare filling as described below. Pour mixture into pastry lined pie tin and cover with top crust. Leave about a 1/2 to 3/4-inch overhang. Fold dough under and back, and flute edge. Cut slits in top crust to allow steam to escape. Making the Filling: Cut sausage into small pieces (or remove from casings and crumble), place in frying pan and brown lightly in 2 tablespoons of water. In a large bowl, combine ricotta, mozzarella, salt and pepper; add eggs one at a time, beating with a wooden spoon after each addition. Add cooked sausage, prosciutto, ham, parsley and grated cheese to ricotta mixture. Blend well. Fill dough lined pan with mixture. For Regular Pie Crust: Bake the pie for 15 minutes in preheated (400°) oven, lower oven temperature to 325°F and continue baking for 45-50 minutes more. For Yeast Dough Crust: Bake the pie in a preheated 375°F oven for 45-50 minutes. Remove from oven and let pie "settle" for about 10 minutes before slicing if you are going to serve it warm; otherwise let pie cool and refrigerate when cooled. Pie can be served either warm or cold. Slices can be reheated in the microwave. **Please note the different pan sizes, pan preparations, baking temperatures and baking times depending on which type of crust you choose to use. The "Prep Time" does not include the 2 hour rising time for the yeast dough crust.

ITALIAN EASTER PIE /PIZZA RUSTICA (AKA "HAM PIE")



Italian Easter Pie /Pizza Rustica (Aka

There are as many variations of this traditional dish as there are names for it (Pizza Rustica, Carnival Pie, Easter Pie and Ham Pie are just a few.) Some versions include hard boiled eggs in the filling along with the meat and cheeses, this one does not. Here is my family's version which I still make every Easter. The pastry we've always used for the crust is more like a bread dough (yeast risen), however your favorite pie crust recipe may be used as well. **Please note the different pan sizes, pan preparations, baking temperatures and baking times depending on which type of crust you choose to use. The "Prep Time" does not include the 2 hour rising time for the yeast dough crust. Note: The 2nd ingredient for the yeast dough crust should be leaf lard (or butter). Recipezaar will not accept the correction and insists on listing it as "leaves lard".

Provided by Dee514

Categories     Savory Pies

Time 1h35m

Yield 8-10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 17

1 pastry for double-crust pie, 10 inch (or you can make the "yeast dough pie crust ")
3 1/4 cups flour
1 1/2 tablespoons leaves lard or 1 1/2 tablespoons butter
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 (1/4 ounce) envelope yeast
1 cup water
2 lbs sweet Italian sausage links
1/4 lb prosciutto, chopped
1/2 lb cooked ham, diced
2 lbs ricotta cheese
12 ounces mozzarella cheese, diced
5 eggs
1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley (flat leaf)
1/4 cup freshly grated romano cheese or 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Directions for making and using the yeast dough crust: In a cup, mix yeast and warm water together.
  • Place flour on a pastry board, add leaf lard (or butter), salt, pepper and yeast/water mixture.
  • Work together well until dough forms, continue working the dough until it is elastic and smooth.
  • Place dough in a deep dish, cover and allow it to rise in a warm place for 2 hours, or until doubled in volume.
  • When dough has risen, cut into 2 pieces.
  • Stretch one piece to fit into a greased 9 x 2 1/2-inch round cake pan.
  • Preheat oven to 375°F.
  • Prepare filling as described below (steps #19 to #22).
  • After filling the dough lined pan, stretch second piece of dough and place over the filling, pressing the edges closed.
  • If there is a lot of excess dough left on the edge, carefully trim some, but leave enough to flute the sealed edge.
  • (I like to brush the crust with a bit of beaten egg before baking, to give it a gloss.) Directions for using a regular pie crust dough: Preheat oven to 400°F.
  • Prepare pastry and line a 10 inch pie pan.
  • Prick dough with a fork, and sprinkle with a bit of flour.
  • Prepare filling as described below (steps #19 to #22).
  • Pour mixture into pastry lined pie tin and cover with top crust.
  • Leave about a 1/2 to 3/4-inch overhang.
  • Fold dough under and back, and flute edge.
  • Cut slits in top crust to allow steam to escape.
  • Directions for making the Filling: Cut sausage into small pieces (or remove from casings and crumble), place in frying pan and brown lightly in 2 Tablespoons of water.
  • In a large bowl, combine ricotta, mozzarella, salt and pepper; add eggs one at a time, beating with a wooden spoon after each addition.
  • Add cooked sausage, prosciutto, ham, parsley and grated cheese to ricotta mixture.
  • Blend well.
  • Fill dough lined pan with mixture.
  • Directions for Baking: For Regular Pie Crust: Bake the pie for 15 minutes in preheated (400°) oven, lower oven temperature to 325°F and continue baking for 45-50 minutes more.
  • Remove from oven and let pie "settle" for about 10 minutes before slicing if you are going to serve it warm; otherwise let pie cool and refrigerate when cooled.
  • Pie can be served either warm or cold.
  • Slices can be reheated in the microwave.
  • For Yeast Dough Crust: Bake the pie in a preheated 375°F oven for 45-50 minutes.
  • Remove from oven and let pie "settle" for about 10 minutes before slicing if you are going to serve it warm; otherwise let pie cool and refrigerate when cooled.
  • Pie can be served either warm or cold.
  • Slices can be reheated in the microwave.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1295.5, Fat 82.5, SaturatedFat 34.2, Cholesterol 304.3, Sodium 2181.5, Carbohydrate 70.2, Fiber 2.5, Sugar 2.1, Protein 64.8

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.

PIZZA GAIN AKA PIZZAGAINA, PIZZA RUSTICA, ITALIAN EASTER HAM PIE



Pizza Gain Aka Pizzagaina, Pizza Rustica, Italian Easter Ham Pie image

This is my Grandmother's recipe for Pizza Gain (AKA PizzaGaina, Pizza Gaina, Pizza Rustica, Italian Easter Ham Pie, Italian Ham Pie, Easter Pizza, Pizza Chiena, etc.). There are many varieties out there depending on the region of Italy you are from. My family makes it in their traditional style from their village in Naples (Napoli) Italy. There are some areas that use sausage or hard boiled eggs, this one does not. This is also the recipe for a very large pie. I make it in my roasting pan without the rack in it. It is meant to be divied up & shared. I give a hunk to about 6 different people. The story, as its been told to me, is that during Lent & the 40 days of fasting... this Pizza Gaina was made by the Italian women on Good Friday as an abundance of meat & richness that was abstained during Lent. It was prepared, cooked, and chilled on Good Friday, but could not be cut & eaten before noon on Easter Saturday. Although some people serve it on Easter Sunday. Many Easter dishes were made in advance so the local Priest could come and Bless the prepared foods for the Feast of Easter. My family would all gather at my Grandparents house on Saturday & enjoy it together with our Aunts, Uncles, & cousins. It's a tradition that I'm glad to continue to keep those memories going. You can make your own pizza dough for this or purchase it. I sometime buy it at our local pizzeria. This is served chilled. When heated, becomes runny. Also, I cut up all the meats & mozzarella the night before so it's ready to go Friday. I also put a heat-proof oven liner on my bottom rack in case anything oozes out. * Want to specify almost everything is cubed or cut to little slices cubed... Also, please read the ingredients thoroughly, like the capicola is the HOT capicola, proscuittini isn't listed so I made the notation... etc. ** See photos for stages of preparation from start to finish ** Also, for ingredients, I was able to find all of the meats, fresh basket cheese, and fresh mozzarella at the deli-counter in my local supermarket and they are also found in Italian Specialty Shops or Deli's.

Provided by BlondieItaliana

Categories     Savory Pies

Time 3h30m

Yield 28-32 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 1/2 lbs ham (sliced thick from deli-counter or cubed pieces of boiled ham)
1/4 lb prosciutto (this is the regular proscuitto, next ingredient is as described, proscuittini)
1/4 lb prosciutto (PROSCUITTINI, AKA Pepper Ham, Black Peppered Ham or prozuttini)
1/4 lb capicola (HOT CAPICOLA, spiced-hot capicola )
1/4 lb hard salami
1/4 lb genoa salami
1 lb fresh mozzarella cheese
1 lb mozzarella cheese (1 entire brick of whole milk mozzarella, cubed)
1 lb Italian cheese (FRESH BASKET CHEESE, AKA Easter cheese or Farmer's Cheese)
3 lbs ricotta cheese
1 stick pepperoni (sliced)
3 tablespoons parmesan cheese
15 eggs
4 lbs pizza dough

Steps:

  • Cube ham meat. Cut sliced meat by rolling & slicing or cutting with scissors. Cube mozzarella. In very large bowl, add ricotta & basket cheese. Add 15 eggs. Hand stir with whisk. Add 3 heaping tablespoons Grated cheese - then stir in the cubed meat and cheese.
  • Brush pan with oil then melted butter. Roll out & lay dough. Add cheese/meat mixture. Add top layer of dough and pinch bottom & top dough seams together tightly.
  • Brush top with oil then egg. Sprinkle with grated cheese. Make Easter Cross with large fork to vent. Bless.
  • Bake 375º x 10 min then 350º x 60 min then 325º x 30-45 minute.
  • Remove from oven. Brush top with melted butter. Cool 2-3 hours Turn upside down overnight on large board. Cover pizza tightly with paper towel, foil, & dish-towel. Refrigerate. Serve noon or later on Easter Saturday.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 313.6, Fat 21.1, SaturatedFat 10.9, Cholesterol 179.8, Sodium 1060.2, Carbohydrate 2.6, Sugar 0.6, Protein 27.1

Tips:

  • To make sure your pie crust is golden brown and flaky, brush it with an egg wash before baking.
  • If you don't have any soppressata, you can substitute it with another type of dry salami or deli meat.
  • Feel free to use a store-bought pie crust if you're short on time.
  • You can also add other ingredients to your pie filling, such as cooked vegetables, cheese, or hard-boiled eggs.
  • If you're making the pie ahead of time, be sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • You can also freeze the pie for up to 2 months. When you're ready to serve it, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and then reheat it in a 350-degree oven until it's warmed through.

Conclusion:

Italian Easter Pie, also known as Pizza Rustica or Ham Pie, is a classic Italian dish that is perfect for any occasion. It's easy to make and can be customized to your liking. With its flaky crust and savory filling, this pie is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. So what are you waiting for? Give this recipe a try today!

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