Leftover Makeover: Elevate Your Meals with These Savory Pie Recipes
Reducing food waste has become an increasingly important issue in today’s society. With millions of tons of food being thrown away each year, it’s crucial that we find creative ways to use leftovers and transform them into delicious meals. One such way is through the art of savory pies. Savory pies are a versatile and satisfying way to repurpose leftovers, turning them into comforting and flavorful dishes that the whole family will love.
The Versatility of Savory Pies in Leftover Makeovers
Savory pies can be made with a variety of fillings and crusts, making them a versatile option for using up leftovers. Whether you have leftover chicken, beef, vegetables, or even cheese, there’s a savory pie recipe that can transform those ingredients into a delicious meal. From classic pot pies to quiches, the possibilities are endless.
Pot pies are a popular choice for leftover makeovers. They typically consist of a flaky pastry crust filled with a creamy mixture of meat and vegetables. The filling can be made with leftover roasted chicken, turkey, or beef, along with any vegetables you have on hand. The crust can be made from scratch or using store-bought puff pastry or pie crust.
Quiches are another great option for using up leftovers. They are essentially savory custard pies made with eggs, cream, and various fillings such as cheese, vegetables, and meat. Quiches can be served for breakfast, lunch, or dinner and are a great way to use up leftover ham, cheese, and vegetables.
Classic Chicken Pot Pie Recipe: A Comforting Leftover Makeover
One classic savory pie recipe that is perfect for using up leftover chicken and vegetables is chicken pot pie. This comforting dish is made with a flaky crust and a creamy filling that is packed with flavor.
To make the crust, combine 2 ½ cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 cup of cold unsalted butter in a food processor. Pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Slowly add ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together. Divide the dough in half and shape into two disks. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
For the filling, melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 diced onion and cook until softened. Stir in ¼ cup of all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in 2 cups of chicken broth and 1 cup of milk. Cook until thickened, then stir in 2 cups of cooked chicken and 2 cups of mixed vegetables. Season with salt, pepper, and any other desired herbs or spices.
Roll out one disk of dough and place it in a pie dish. Pour the filling into the dish and top with the remaining dough. Crimp the edges to seal and cut a few slits in the top to allow steam to escape. Bake at 400°F for about 30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.
Shepherd’s Pie Recipe: A Hearty Leftover Makeover
Shepherd’s pie is a classic British dish that is traditionally made with leftover roast beef or lamb and mashed potatoes. It’s a hearty and comforting meal that is perfect for using up leftover meat.
To make shepherd’s pie, start by making the mashed potatoes. Peel and boil about 4 large potatoes until tender. Drain and mash with butter, milk, salt, and pepper to taste.
In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add 1 diced onion and cook until softened. Stir in 2 cloves of minced garlic and cook for another minute. Add about 2 cups of leftover roast beef or lamb, along with any leftover vegetables you have on hand. Cook until heated through.
Pour 1 cup of beef or vegetable broth into the skillet and bring to a simmer. Stir in 2 tablespoons of tomato paste and season with salt, pepper, and any desired herbs or spices. Cook for a few minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.
Transfer the meat mixture to a baking dish and spread the mashed potatoes on top. Use a fork to create a decorative pattern on the potatoes. Bake at 375°F for about 30 minutes, or until the potatoes are golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
Vegetable Pot Pie Recipe: A Nutritious Leftover Makeover
For those looking for a vegetarian option, vegetable pot pie is a nutritious and delicious choice. This recipe uses leftover roasted vegetables and a creamy sauce to create a flavorful and satisfying dish.
To make vegetable pot pie, start by making the sauce. In a saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Stir in ¼ cup of all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in 2 cups of vegetable broth and 1 cup of milk. Cook until thickened, then stir in about 4 cups of leftover roasted vegetables. Season with salt, pepper, and any desired herbs or spices.
Roll out one disk of pie dough and place it in a pie dish. Pour the vegetable filling into the dish and top with the remaining dough. Crimp the edges to seal and cut a few slits in the top to allow steam to escape. Bake at 400°F for about 30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.
Beef and Mushroom Pie Recipe: A Rich Leftover Makeover
If you have leftover beef and mushrooms, this beef and mushroom pie is a rich and flavorful option that will satisfy even the heartiest appetites.
To make beef and mushroom pie, start by making the filling. In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add 1 diced onion and cook until softened. Stir in 8 ounces of sliced mushrooms and cook until they release their liquid and start to brown. Remove the mushrooms from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, melt another 2 tablespoons of butter. Add about 2 cups of leftover cooked beef, cut into bite-sized pieces, and cook until heated through. Stir in 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in 1 cup of beef broth and 1 cup of heavy cream. Cook until thickened, then stir in the cooked mushrooms. Season with salt, pepper, and any desired herbs or spices.
Roll out one disk of pie dough and place it in a pie dish. Pour the beef and mushroom filling into the dish and top with the remaining dough. Crimp the edges to seal and cut a few slits in the top to allow steam to escape. Bake at 400°F for about 30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.
Ham and Cheese Quiche Recipe: An Elegant Leftover Makeover
Quiches are a versatile option for using up leftovers, and this ham and cheese quiche is an elegant choice that can be served for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
To make ham and cheese quiche, start by making the crust. Combine 1 ¼ cups of all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon of salt, and ½ cup of cold unsalted butter in a food processor. Pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Slowly add ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together. Roll out the dough and press it into a pie dish.
In a bowl, whisk together 4 large eggs, 1 cup of milk, salt, and pepper. Stir in about 1 cup of diced leftover ham and 1 cup of shredded cheese. Pour the mixture into the prepared crust.
Bake at 375°F for about 30 minutes, or until the quiche is set and golden brown on top. Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Broccoli and Cheddar Quiche Recipe: A Simple Leftover Makeover
For a simple and delicious quiche option, try this broccoli and cheddar quiche. It’s a great way to use up leftover broccoli and cheese.
To make broccoli and cheddar quiche, start by making the crust. Combine 1 ¼ cups of all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon of salt, and ½ cup of cold unsalted butter in a food processor. Pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Slowly add ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together. Roll out the dough and press it into a pie dish.
In a bowl, whisk together 4 large eggs, 1 cup of milk, salt, and pepper. Stir in about 1 cup of cooked and chopped broccoli and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Pour the mixture into the prepared crust.
Bake at 375°F for about 30 minutes, or until the quiche is set and golden brown on top. Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Tips and Tricks for Making Perfect Savory Pies Every Time
Making savory pies can be a bit intimidating, but with a few tips and tricks, you can achieve perfect results every time.
– For a flaky crust, make sure your butter is cold and cut it into small pieces before adding it to the flour mixture. Use a food processor or pastry cutter to cut the butter into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs. This will create layers in the crust, resulting in a flaky texture.
– To prevent a soggy crust, blind bake it before adding the filling. Line the crust with parchment paper and fill it with pie weights or dried beans. Bake at 400°F for about 15 minutes, then remove the weights and parchment paper and bake for another 5 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.
– To make a creamy filling, use a combination of broth and cream or milk. This will give the filling a rich and velvety texture. Be sure to cook the filling until it thickens before adding it to the pie crust.
– To store leftover pies, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the pie in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes, or until heated through.
Elevate Your Leftovers with Savory Pies
Using savory pies as a way to transform leftovers into delicious meals is not only a great way to reduce food waste but also a way to elevate your cooking. Whether you’re using leftover chicken, beef, vegetables, or cheese, there’s a savory pie recipe that can turn those ingredients into a satisfying and flavorful dish. From classic pot pies to quiches, the possibilities are endless. So next time you find yourself with leftovers in the fridge, don’t let them go to waste. Instead, get creative and make a savory pie that will have your family asking for seconds.