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Pizza Rustica

A showstopping Italian Easter pie filled with cured meats, cheeses, and eggs wrapped in flaky pastry.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 810 slices
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 520

Ingredients
  

Dough
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup cold unsalted butter cubed
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 6 to 8 tablespoons ice water
Filling
  • 1 pound whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese diced small
  • 4 ounces prosciutto sliced thin and chopped
  • 4 ounces sopressata or salami sliced thin and chopped
  • 4 ounces Italian sausage cooked and crumbled
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese
  • 6 large eggs divided (5 whole plus 1 for egg wash)
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley finely chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Equipment

  • 9-inch round springform pan or deep-dish pie pan
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Medium mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Wooden spoon
  • Rolling pin
  • Sharp knife for slicing meats
  • Baking sheet
  • Pastry brush
  • Oven thermometer

Method
 

  1. Combine the flour and salt in a large bowl and whisk to distribute the salt evenly.
  2. Add the cold cubed butter and use your fingertips to rub the mixture together until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
  3. Whisk the egg yolk with 6 tablespoons of ice water in a small bowl, then drizzle this over the flour-butter blend.
  4. Stir until shaggy clumps form, adding more ice water if the dough is too dry.
  5. Gather the dough into a flat disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  6. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta, diced mozzarella, chopped prosciutto, chopped sopressata, cooked sausage, Pecorino Romano, 5 whole eggs, parsley, pepper, and salt.
  7. Stir gently until evenly distributed.
  8. Roll out half the dough into a 12-inch round on a lightly floured surface.
  9. Transfer the rolled dough to the springform pan, pressing it into the bottom and sides.
  10. Pour the filling into the lined pan.
  11. Roll out the remaining dough into a 10-inch round and place it over the filling.
  12. Fold the overhanging bottom crust over the top crust and crimp the edges to seal.
  13. Whisk the remaining egg with 1 tablespoon of water for an egg wash and brush it over the pie.
  14. Bake at 375°F for 50 to 60 minutes until the crust is golden brown.
  15. Cool for 15 minutes in the pan before slicing.

Notes

Serve warm, at room temperature, or cold. Pairs well with a green salad or roasted vegetables.