Description
Pizza Rustica is a traditional Italian savory pie, filled with a rich and creamy mixture of ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, provolone cheeses, and assorted cured meats like salami and prosciutto. Baked inside a flaky pie crust, this hearty dish is perfect for gatherings and serves as a delicious main course or appetizer, enjoyed warm or at room temperature.
Ingredients
Scale
Pie Crust
- 2 sheets of pie crust or homemade pastry dough
Filling
- 1 lb ricotta cheese (drained)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup cubed provolone cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped salami
- 1/2 cup chopped prosciutto or ham
- 4 large eggs
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Egg Wash
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking the Pizza Rustica evenly.
- Prepare Pie Dish: Line a 9-inch pie dish with one sheet of pie dough, pressing it gently into the edges and up the sides to form the base crust.
- Mix Filling: In a large bowl, combine the drained ricotta, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, cubed provolone, chopped salami, chopped prosciutto or ham, 4 eggs, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Fill Pie Crust: Pour the prepared filling mixture into the pie crust-lined dish, smoothing the top with a spatula for an even surface.
- Top with Second Crust: Place the second sheet of pie dough over the filling. Seal the edges by pressing and crimping them together, then cut a few slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape during baking.
- Apply Egg Wash: Beat one egg and brush it over the top crust to give the pie a beautiful golden brown finish.
- Bake: Bake the pie in the preheated oven for 45 to 55 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is fully set and cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the Pizza Rustica cool for at least 30 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature for the best flavors and texture.
Notes
- Draining the ricotta cheese removes excess moisture, which helps prevent a soggy crust.
- Allowing the pie to cool before slicing helps set the filling for clean slices.
- You can substitute prosciutto with ham or other cured meats depending on availability and preference.
- Use homemade pie crust or store-bought sheets of pastry dough for convenience.
- Leftover Pizza Rustica can be refrigerated and served cold or reheated gently in the oven.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian