Okay, listen up! If you’re looking for something that just *screams* comfort, something warm and cheesy and utterly delightful, then you are in the right place. Forget those sweet pies for a minute, because we’re diving headfirst into the glorious world of a savory Cheese Pie! Seriously, this isn’t just a recipe; it’s like a warm hug in a pie plate. It’s got everything you want – a flaky crust, a rich, bubbly cheese filling, and it’s perfect for pretty much any time of day. Snack? Absolutely. Light dinner with a salad? Yes, please! Brunch showstopper? Oh, you bet.
This particular Cheese Pie recipe is one of my absolute go-tos. It’s simple enough that you don’t need a culinary degree, but the results are so impressive, people will think you slaved away for hours. It’s my secret weapon for potlucks, lazy Sunday lunches, or just when I need a little cheesy pick-me-up. Trust me on this, once you make this Cheese Pie, it’ll be on repeat in your kitchen too. Get ready to fall in love!
Why You’ll Love This Cheese Pie
Okay, so why *this* Cheese Pie? Because it’s just plain fantastic, that’s why! Here’s the skinny on why you’re going to adore making and eating this:
- It’s ridiculously easy: Seriously, even if you’re new to baking, you can totally nail this Cheese Pie. The steps are straightforward, and the results are always impressive.
- The flavor is out of this world: We’re talking three kinds of cheese melded into a creamy, dreamy filling inside a perfect crust. It’s savory, comforting, and just utterly delicious.
- It works for *everything*: Need a quick lunch? Slice of Cheese Pie. Taking something to a gathering? Cheese Pie is always a hit. Want a cozy dinner? Pair your Cheese Pie with a simple side. It’s that versatile!
You really can’t go wrong with this one, trust me!
Ingredients for the Perfect Cheese Pie
Alright, let’s talk about what magic goes into this Cheese Pie. It’s all pretty standard stuff, things you probably have in your pantry or can grab easily. No fancy-pants ingredients here, just good old-fashioned goodness!
For the crust, you’ll need 2 cups of all-purpose flour and just a teaspoon of salt. Then comes the key to flaky perfection: 1/2 cup of cold unsalted butter, cut into little cubes. You’ll also need about 1/4 cup of ice water – make sure it’s *really* cold, it makes a difference!
Now for the star of the show, the cheese filling! We’re using a glorious blend of 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese (for that lovely pull!), and 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese for a little extra punch. You’ll also need 3 large eggs, 1 1/2 cups of milk, and just a little sprinkle of 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. See? Simple, right?
Equipment Needed to Bake Your Cheese Pie
Okay, before we dive into the fun part (making the pie!), let’s get our tools ready. You don’t need anything super fancy for this Cheese Pie, just the basics you probably already have kicking around your kitchen. You’ll definitely need a good-sized large bowl for mixing that lovely crust dough and another for the yummy filling. A pastry blender is super helpful for cutting in the butter, but your fingers work just fine too if you don’t have one! You’ll also need a rolling pin to get that dough nice and flat and, of course, a 9-inch pie plate to bake our cheesy creation in. That’s pretty much it!
How to Prepare Your Delicious Cheese Pie
Okay, deep breath! Making this Cheese Pie is seriously straightforward, even the crust from scratch isn’t scary, I promise. Let’s get this cheesy goodness happening!
First things first, crank up your oven! You’ll want it preheated to 375°F (that’s 190°C). While that’s warming up, let’s tackle the crust. Grab your big bowl and whisk together your flour and salt. Now, add those cold butter cubes. This is where the pastry blender comes in handy, or just use your fingertips to quickly work the butter into the flour until it looks like coarse crumbs, like little peas. Don’t overthink it!
Next, gradually add that ice water, a tablespoon at a time, mixing gently until the dough just starts to come together. Don’t knead it! Just bring it into a rough ball. Flatten it into a disk, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This chill time is crucial for a flaky crust, so don’t skip it!
Once your dough is chilled, lightly flour a surface and roll out the dough into a circle big enough to fit your 9-inch pie plate. Carefully transfer the rolled dough into the pie plate, pressing it gently into the bottom and up the sides. Trim off any excess and then crimp those edges however you like – makes it look extra pretty! If you’re using a store-bought crust, just follow the package directions for prebaking if needed.
Now for the best part – the cheese! In a separate bowl, mix together your shredded cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses. Sprinkle this glorious cheese mixture evenly into the bottom of your prepared pie crust. Get every last bit in there!
In another bowl, whisk together your eggs, milk, a little salt, and the black pepper until everything is well combined and smooth. Pour this eggy mixture carefully over the cheese in the pie plate. Give the plate a gentle wiggle to make sure the liquid settles evenly.
Pop your Cheese Pie into the preheated oven and bake for about 40-45 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the crust is a beautiful golden brown and the filling looks set and maybe even a little bubbly around the edges. Let it cool slightly on a wire rack before slicing and digging in. Enjoy your amazing homemade Cheese Pie!
Tips for Baking a Great Cheese Pie
Okay, so you’ve got your gorgeous Cheese Pie prepped and ready to go into the oven! Here are just a few little tips I’ve picked up along the way to help make sure yours turns out absolutely perfect every single time.
First off, when you’re making the crust (if you are!), seriously, don’t overwork the dough! Overmixing makes for a tough crust, and we want it tender and flaky. Just mix until it *just* comes together. Also, make sure that butter is nice and cold! Little bits of cold butter in the dough are what create those beautiful flaky layers as it bakes. Finally, trust your eyes and that gentle wiggle test to know when the filling is set. It shouldn’t look liquidy in the center, but you also don’t want to overbake it or it might dry out a tiny bit. A slight wobble in the very center is okay, it will firm up as it cools!
Variations and Serving Suggestions for Cheese Pie
This Cheese Pie recipe is fantastic as is, but it’s also super adaptable! You can totally play around with the cheeses – maybe swap some of the cheddar for Monterey Jack, or add a bit of smoked Gouda for extra flavor. Want to add some veggies? Sautéed onions, mushrooms, or even some chopped spinach would be delicious stirred into the cheese mixture before you pour the egg filling over. Just make sure they’re cooked and drained really well so they don’t make your pie watery!
As for serving, this Cheese Pie is amazing on its own, but it’s even better with a little something on the side. A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette is perfect. Or, for a heartier meal, a cup of warm tomato soup or a bowl of chili pairs beautifully with a cheesy slice. It’s also fantastic served with some fresh fruit or a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt on top!
Storing and Reheating Your Cheese Pie
Got leftovers of your delicious Cheese Pie? Lucky you! To store it, just let it cool completely first. Then, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or foil, or pop slices into an airtight container. It’ll keep nicely in the fridge for about 3-4 days.
When you’re ready for another slice (which will be soon, trust me!), the best way to reheat it is in the oven. Preheat your oven to about 300°F (150°C) and warm the slice on a baking sheet for 10-15 minutes, or until it’s heated through and the cheese is getting melty again. You can microwave it in a pinch, but the oven keeps the crust much nicer and prevents it from getting soggy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cheese Pie
Got questions about whipping up this amazing Cheese Pie? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! Here are a few things people often ask:
Q: Can I use a different kind of cheese? Absolutely! This is a classic savory pie, but feel free to experiment! A sharp cheddar cheese pie is always a winner, or try adding some Gruyère or even a little bit of smoked cheese for extra flavor. Just make sure the total amount of cheese stays the same.
Q: My crust seems tough, what did I do wrong? Ah, that probably means the dough was overworked. When you’re mixing the flour and butter, just get it to look like coarse crumbs. And when you add the water, mix *just* until it comes together. Handle it gently! Also, make sure your butter and water are nice and cold.
Q: Can I make this ahead of time? You sure can! You can assemble the whole cheese pie (crust and filling) and cover it tightly with plastic wrap. Keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time since it’s going in cold.
Q: How do I know when the filling is set? Besides the edges pulling away from the pan and the crust being golden, the center shouldn’t look liquidy anymore. A gentle press in the middle should feel firm, maybe with just a tiny bit of give. A knife inserted near the center should come out clean, or with just moist crumbs, *not* wet batter.
Estimated Nutritional Information
Okay, so you’re probably wondering about the nitty-gritty details, like what’s actually *in* a slice of this delicious Cheese Pie. Now, keep in mind, these numbers are just estimates! They can totally vary depending on the exact brands of ingredients you use and how big your slices are (no judgment here!). But generally speaking, one serving (which is roughly one-eighth of the pie) clocks in around 450 calories, with about 30g of fat (15g of that being saturated fat), 25g of carbs, and a good 20g of protein. There’s also around 600mg of sodium and a little bit of sugar. Just thought you’d like to know!
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Simply amazing Cheese Pie with 3 cheeses
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A savory cheese pie, perfect as a snack or light meal.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- 1/4 cup ice water
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Cut in the butter with a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add ice water, mixing until the dough comes together. Form into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for 30 minutes.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough and press it into a 9-inch pie plate. Trim and crimp the edges.
- In a separate bowl, combine cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses. Sprinkle the cheese mixture evenly into the pie crust.
- In another bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, salt, and pepper. Pour the egg mixture over the cheese.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is set.
- Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- You can use a store-bought pie crust to save time.
- Add your favorite herbs or spices to the filling for extra flavor.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Savory Pie
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: cheese pie, savory pie, cheddar, mozzarella, Parmesan