15 best savoury pie recipes
Is there anything more comforting than a proper pie? Whether it’s encased in flaky pastry, or topped with a creamy mash lid, there are few dishes that bring as much satisfaction as a pie. We’ve got endless ideas to inspire you, so come on in and let us tempt you.
Check out our 10 steps to a perfect shortcrust case, and learn how to make foolproof puff pastry. Or save time by using the shop-bought variety. Either way, take a look at our 15 best-ever savoury pie recipes below.
How do you make pastry from scratch?
You can pick up ready-rolled puff, filo and shortcrust pastry at the supermarket, but if you’ve got the time and the inclination, making pastry from scratch can yield wonderful results.
Check out some of our top tips for making homemade pastry:
- For light crumbly pastry, handle the dough gently. The more you mix, the stronger and stretchier the gluten strands become, causing tough, shrinking pastry.
- Go easy on the liquid. When adding liquid (cold water/milk), start with half the amount stated in the recipe, pulsing/stirring in until the mixture starts to clump together (don’t let it form a ball). The more liquid in the pastry, the greater the risk of shrinkage.
- Chill it. Shape the pastry into a disc, wrap in cling film, then put in the fridge for at least an hour (this relaxes the glutens in the dough). Chill again once you’ve lined the tin for best results.
- When blind baking, line the pastry with baking paper and fill to the brim with baking beans/uncooked rice, which will support the sides of the pastry and help prevent shrinkage.
- Don’t trim the rim of the pastry before baking. Leave a 1cm overhang to allow for shrinkage and curl it over the rim of the tin, pinching it lightly so it grips the edges. Trim after baking using a sharp knife.
Click here for our guide on making shortcrust pastry from scratch.
Can you make pastry vegan?
Vegan pastry can be made with vegan margarine instead of butter. You could use our vegan pastry recipe here, omitting the icing sugar for a savoury pie. You can also use ready-made vegan pastry, widely available in supermarkets.
Can you freeze pastry?
Homemade pastry freezes well, wrapped in clingfilm for 1 month. Just ensure you fully defrost it before cooking.
Our best-ever savoury pie recipes…
Jalfrezi chicken pie with lime pickle pastry
Have you ever wondered what happens when curry meats pie? Behold, our chicken jalfrezi pie. Cumin, chilli and curry leaves bring warm and complex spicing to the filling, with a crisp pastry and lime-pickle glaze holding it all together.
Spring onion, parsley and mustard brighten up this cheese and potato pie, which uses a hefty quantity of cheddar, as is only right. The crunchy pastry case makes it as suited to a picnic as the dinner table!
Delia Smith’s steamed steak and kidney pudding
Queen of cookery Delia’s steak and kidney pudding is made with flaky suet crust pastry and filled with a deep gravy-like filling.
Smoked haddock and mackerel fish pie
Smoked mackerel, smoked haddock and prawns come together in this fish pie. It’s brimming full of Omega 3 and a comforting classic to feed the family, as are our 35 other fish pie recipes.
Creamy chicken, mushroom and dijon pie
A creamy chicken and mushroom pie with a crisp pastry lid is a classic for a reason. The balance of cream, white wine and mustard hits all the right sweet and sour notes. Check out all of our other chicken pie recipes whilst you’re at it.
Lamb shoulder is used here, instead of mince, with slow-cooking providing a melt-in-the-mouth texture to the meat. This is a real game-changing version of this British classic.
Is there anything better than a pie all to yourself? In these diddy delights, slow-cooked venison is paired with stout beer and redcurrant jelly and topped with a puff pastry lid before baking. Dinner guests will be chuffed.
A hearty sausage and onion pie, flavoured with Marmite for a salty, tangy kick, and red wine for sweetness. This pie is topped off with a cheesy mash which brings a crispness to the lid.
Feta, chard and spinach filo pie
This Bulgarian pie is by Caroline Eden. It’s a treat eaten fresh from the oven, warm, with mid-afternoon tea. This pie is excellent all year round.
Caper, lemon and dill fish pie
Piquant capers and sweet leeks bring interest to this puff pastry fish pie, while the delicate herbs add colour and flavour.
Beef shin, mushroom and red wine come together in delicious puff pastry in these beef bourguignon pies by Georgina Hayden. The ultimate comfort.
Sausage and bean pies with colcannon topping
Sausage and cider casserole is topped with cheesy colcannon in these individual delights. For those nights when you fancy sausage and mash, taken up a notch.
Butternut squash, spinach and goats cheese pie
Cutting a slice of pie is a true thrill, and made even better when the cross section reveals this rainbow of a filling. Squash, spinach, onions and cheese encased in cheesy pastry makes an impressive centrepiece for any dinner.
Oh, so it’s comfort food you’re after? This vegetarian alternative shepherd’s pie uses puy lentils and chickpeas, making it cheap, quick and easy, as well as delicious.
Chicken, artichoke and spinach filo pie
For a different take on your usual chicken and mushroom, consider this Mediterranean-inspired pie using artichoke and spinach, and topped off with crunchy filo pastry.
Haven’t spotted something that takes your eye? Fear not, we’ve got 73 more pie recipes that await you here…