I find savory pies to be so comforting. Whether they’re wrapped in a pastry crust or topped with a generous helping of mashed potatoes, they just bring warmth to the table. I grew up on shepherd’s pie, and I make chicken pot pie quite often at home. Yes, some can be a little time-consuming and are best left for a rainy Saturday when you can devote a few hours to the kitchen. But others can be made in under an hour for a beautiful mid-week feast. On this list of 24 satisfying savory pies, you’ll find everything from simple little snacks to show-stopping dinners. Let’s dig in!
1. Irish Potato Pie
The simplicity of this pie means you can have it in the oven in less than 15 minutes. And it needs fewer than 10 ingredients! If there’s a better combination than potatoes, onion, and bacon, I don’t know what it is. I love the use of frozen puff pastry to add some fantastic flakiness to the crust, and cooking the potatoes in bacon grease is a stroke of genius. The only thing I would suggest is to grate a little mature cheddar over the top as soon as it comes out of the oven.
2. Easy Homemade Chicken Pot Pie
This recipe uses cream of chicken soup and frozen vegetables to cut the prep time down to just 10 minutes. Some may call it cheating, but I think it’s a helpful shortcut! We all have leftovers from the holidays, and after cooking for what felt like days, it’s time for a break. The crust is super simple with no rolling required! But it will be quite thick compared to regular pies. An excellent alternative is to buy two ready-to-bake pie crusts and use one as the pie cover. Just let it thaw and gently lay it over the filling, trimming the edges and brushing with some egg wash.
3. French-Canadian Salmon Pie
Salmon makes such a lovely, light pie filling. Though it’s not as common as beef or chicken, it’s definitely prettier! I love a good fish pie and grew up eating a dish that’s like a fish pot pie, with a creamy sauce and shrimp in the mix. The lemon and dill sauce really makes the whole dish pop, and I would suggest adding a little into the filling.
4. Beef and Guinness Pie
As tasty as chicken and fish can be, there’s nothing more comforting than a big bowl of beef stew or pie. The dark meat paired with vegetables and a deep, rich gravy is the perfect winter warmer. This pie’s filling is actually an amazing stew, made using beef chuck and dark, stout beer. I like to make extra and split it to make three separate meals. You can make the pie as directed, top it with mashed potatoes, or keep it as a simple stew and add potatoes and lots of veggies.
5. Steak and Mushroom Pie
Steak pie is a classic pub favorite. Cooked until the beef is fork-tender, with plenty of chunky veggies and mushrooms galore, it’s rich, filling, and so delicious. Carrots, celery, and onion are the holy trinity of making soups and stews. They’re an excellent start for the filling. But it’s with the mushrooms that you can have some fun! Try some new varieties, mix it up, and use a selection with slightly different flavors and textures.
6. Savory Pumpkin Hand Pies
Known as ‘pasties’ in the UK, hand pies are wonderful little snacks when served on their own or great for a filling dinner with plenty of veggies on the side. You’ll find all different kinds in UK bakeries, from chicken, ham, and leek, to cheese and onion. But these pumpkin beauties are something special. Use store-bought vegan pastry and an incredible selection of herbs and spices. These are perfect for vegans or meatless Mondays. Roasting the vegetables adds a deeper flavor to the pies and ensures everything cooks through once the pastry is golden.
7. Easy Italian Cheese & Tomato Pie
Technically, the difference between a pie and a tart is the depth. Pies tend to be deep-dish, whereas tarts are thinner. So this may be a tart, in technical terms, but I’m including it anyway because it’s super delicious. And wow, is it easy! Start with a store-bought pie crust and fill about half-way with your choice of cheese. Mozzarella is a must-use if you ask me, but you can pair it with whatever you like! Top with sliced tomatoes and sprinkle with oregano and basil for a fresh, pizza-like tart.
8. Bisquick Cheeseburger Pie
This pie is such a treat to make. Much like some super fast Bisquick Desserts, this recipe has a few tricks up its sleeve. Rather than making a pie crust and rolling it out, the crust gets poured over the top of the filling. The heavier Bisquick mix will sink into the meat during the bake and create a tender, biscuit-like filling dotted with flavorful meat and cheese. You can even use a gluten-free mix.
9. Tourtière (French-Canadian Meat Pie)
Mixing mashed potatoes into your pie meat is such a great way to bind it together and add a creamy texture to the filling. I love using both ground beef and pork, but I would also be tempted to use some pork sausage meat for maximum flavor. Because of the mashed potatoes, this will cut into the perfect slice.
10. Cheese and Onion Pie
You’ll find a variation of this all over the UK. Cheese and onion go hand in hand, after all. I would recommend using a strong mature cheddar for this since it’s more or less the star of the show! Be sure to soften the onions before mixing with the cheese, and don’t be afraid to add a little extra mustard.
11. Pastelitos de Carne
Hailing all the way from Cuba, these little meat pockets are a perfect snack. They use puff pastry, which not only cuts your prep down when using ready-made, but it also adds some lovely texture and flakiness into each bite. When scanning the ingredient list, you might double-take toward the end. Raisins? Trust the process! The sweetness they provide balances just right with the olives.
12. Spanakopita Recipe (Greek Spinach Pie)
If ever there was a time to try using phyllo pastry, it’s now! The filling for this recipe – spinach, feta, garlic, and onion – needs the crisp texture you can only get from phyllo. The trick is to keep it covered with a damp cloth, which will prevent it from drying out. Each sheet you remove and place in the dish needs to be brushed with oil or butter. Be sure to squeeze your spinach to remove excess moisture and reheat any leftovers in the oven to keep the pastry crisp.
13. Butternut Squash Leek and Goat Cheese Galette
As a baker, I often have a love-hate relationship with pastry. I tend to have warm hands and not the lightest tough. This often leads to cracks and breaks in my pastry as I try to work it into a dish. But with a galette, there’s no need to worry about being perfect. This rustic pie is filled with an incredible combination of squash, leeks, and goat’s cheese. To shape it, all you’ll need to do is to fold the edges over, leaving the middle open.
14. Chicken Empanadas
Making empanadas is such a fun thing to do with the kids. You can fill them with any number of delicious fillings, and everyone will have a blast getting their hands dirty. For this recipe, the filling is a simple chicken and cheese pairing with great warmth from the green chilis. Serve with a big bowl of spicy guacamole.
15. Kolokithopita (Greek Zucchini Feta Pie)
Some people just don’t like spinach. And that’s ok! But why should they miss out on such a tasty dish? This fantastic recipe uses grated zucchini (or summer squash) instead of spinach for a lighter, more subtle flavor. Most of the filling is the same – onion, garlic, and feta – and it has the same fabulous crispy crust.
16. Mushroom & Leek Pie
I love that leeks provide a distinct onion flavor and add a touch of color to a dish. When combined with mushrooms, the cheesy quiche filling is perfect. As mentioned above, you can use any kind of mushroom you prefer. Be sure to wash and dry them before cooking with the buttery leeks.
17. Spinach and Cheese Hand Pies
If you love the idea of spanokopita but hate the thought of working with phyllo, this recipe is for you! It incorporates similar flavors, using spinach, cheeses, and onion for the base. The difference is the use of regular store-bought pastry. I love the addition of ricotta and cream cheese for extra creaminess in the filling. You could also add in some feta if you like the saltiness it provides.
18. New Zealand Bacon and Egg Pie
This incredibly simple recipe is perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The flaky pastry is the perfect housing for one of the best combinations out there – bacon and eggs! Cook the bacon to your liking before mixing with the eggs. You could also throw in some sausage if you like. This pie can be eaten fresh out of the oven or chilled and sliced.
19. Spaghetti Pie
This recipe is so quirky; I just had to try it out! When cooked, the spaghetti crust will have a great crunch on the outside, with a tender middle that is firm enough to hold a slice. The filling is kind of like a lasagna, layering ricotta and meat sauce with cheese. Feel free to add in some chilis if you like it hot and don’t be afraid to add extra cheese to the top!
20. Broccoli & Cheese Hand Pies
I’ve always been a huge fan of broccoli, but I get that some people need cheese to make it more palatable. These vegetarian-friendly bites are full of color and flavor and kept moist with melted cheese and sour cream. I like the consistency you get from blitzing in the food processor, but if you prefer chunks, keep some of the broccoli back and roughly chop with a knife.
21. Tamale Pie
Tamales are one of my favorite things to order when we go out to eat. The flavor is incredible, and they taste so much better because I didn’t have to make them! Let’s be honest; they can be a little fussy. So this pie is the perfect way to get all those great flavors without having to spend hours in the kitchen. As good as the ground beef is, I like to use leftover carnitas if I have it. The chunks of meat make for great texture against the beans and cornbread.
22. Shepherd’s Pie
Shepherd’s pie is such a classic dish. Made with meat, veggies, and potatoes, it will take you back to your childhood with just one bite. I love the little shortcut of using a frozen vegetable mix to speed things up. If you’re a purist, you might be questioning the cream cheese in the mashed potatoes. You can leave them out, of course. But I think they add such a nice tang and keep the potatoes lovely and soft.
23. Turkey Pot Pie
Have you eaten all your holiday leftovers yet? I know they can get a little drab after a few days. That’s where this turkey pot pie comes in. Using your leftovers here is such a great way to make a family favorite. And it doesn’t just have to be the turkey. I’ve been known to throw in a bunch of leftover chopped veggies, from Brussels sprouts to honey parsnips.
24. Ham Pot Pie
Did you have ham this year instead of turkey? Or maybe you had both? The beauty of a basic pot pie recipe is that it will complement most meats, and ham is no exception. The saltiness of the ham pairs so well with the creamy filling and makes for such a pretty slice. Click on a star to rate it!
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