Layered Vegetable Pie
A savory layered vegetable pie featuring spinach, mushrooms, peppers, and cheeses, perfect for a vegetarian main course or brunch with rich flavors and a flaky crust.
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp vegetable or olive oil ⓘ
- 1 (16 oz) can sliced mushrooms ⓘ
- 1/2 cup finely chopped shallots or onion ⓘ
- 1 medium clove garlic, minced ⓘ
- 1 (10 oz) package frozen chopped spinach, cooked and well drained ⓘ
- 1 (6 oz) jar roasted red peppers, drained and cut into strips ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp all-purpose flour ⓘ
- 4 eggs, slightly beaten ⓘ
- 1 (15 oz) container ricotta cheese ⓘ
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese ⓘ
- 3/4 cup diced mozzarella cheese ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp pepper ⓘ
- Pastry for 2-crust 10-inch pie ⓘ
- 1 egg, separated ⓘ
Instructions
- In a 10-inch skillet over medium heat, heat the oil and cook the mushrooms and shallots with garlic until tender, stirring occasionally.
- Add the cooked and drained spinach to the skillet and cook for 2 minutes or until the liquid evaporates, stirring constantly.
- Stir in the flour and set the mixture aside.
- Preheat the oven and prepare a 2-crust 10-inch pie pastry.
- Spread the vegetable mixture evenly over the bottom crust.
- In a bowl, combine the eggs, ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan, diced mozzarella, ground nutmeg, and pepper; mix well.
- Pour the cheese mixture over the vegetables in the pie shell.
- Cover with the top crust, seal the edges, and cut slits for steam to escape.
- Beat the separated egg and brush it over the top crust for a golden finish.
- Bake the pie in the preheated oven until the crust is golden and the filling is set, about 45 minutes.
- Allow to cool slightly before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For extra flavor, consider adding fresh herbs like basil or oregano to the vegetable mixture. If you need a gluten-free option, use a gluten-free pie crust. You can also substitute the ricotta cheese with cottage cheese for a lighter alternative. If you like it spicy, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the vegetable mixture.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the layered vegetable pie warm, garnished with fresh herbs if desired. It pairs beautifully with a side of Low-Fat Slaw for a refreshing contrast. This dish can also be a great centerpiece for a vegetarian dinner alongside a light salad or some crusty bread. For a more indulgent dessert, consider following with Fabulous Fudge Cheesecake.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place slices in the oven at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. You can also microwave individual slices for 1-2 minutes, but the crust may lose its crispness.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Layered Vegetable Pie contains roughly 804 calories, with 16g protein, 121g carbohydrates, and 31g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (45% of the Daily Value), vitamin D (33% of the Daily Value), and protein (32% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 523mg per serving (23% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh spinach instead of frozen?
Yes, you can use fresh spinach! Simply cook about 1 pound of fresh spinach until wilted, then drain and chop it before adding it to the skillet. Fresh spinach will provide a brighter flavor and texture in the pie.
How can I make this pie ahead of time?
You can prepare the pie in advance and refrigerate it before baking. Assemble the pie up to the point of brushing the top with egg wash, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, just remove the wrap and brush with the egg wash before baking.
What can I serve with layered vegetable pie?
This pie pairs well with a simple green salad or a side of roasted vegetables. A light vinaigrette can enhance the flavors of the dish. Additionally, you could serve it with a dipping sauce like tzatziki for a refreshing twist.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).