Easter pies, or Torte di Pasqua, are traditional Italian delicacies that signify the end of the fasting period of Lent and mark Easter’s universal themes of rebirth and renewal. Both sweet and savory pies are a hallmark of an Italian Easter, with variations that differ greatly by region, city and even in individual families.
Pizza Chiena, a Neapolitan dialect term meaning “full meat pie,” is a savory pie stuffed with various Italian meats, cheeses and eggs. This hearty dish, also known as Pizza Rustica, is a true symbol of the end of the fasting period and the best way to make up for all of those meatless Friday nights during Lent.
Torta di Riso, or Rice Pie, is traditionally served alongside ricotta pie for Easter Sunday dessert, although some Italian families enjoy it for breakfast on La Pasquetta – Little Easter or Easter Monday.
Pastiera is a grain pie especially enjoyed on Holy Thursday when Italians leave church, eager to visit the nearest pasticceria to purchase the delightful treat. The wheat-based crust is symbolic of springtime and the sweet pie is a holiday tradition, especially in the southern part of Italy.
Making these Italian Easter pies is a long-held tradition in Italian American communities everywhere. While the pies can be purchased at your local bakeries, they are best when made in your own kitchen where you can select the Italian meats and cheeses of your liking and pass on this holiday tradition to the younger generations.
At the Italian Tribune, we have been printing recipes for various Torte di Pasqua for decades. After great demand for some of our best Easter pie recipes from the past, we have selected some of our favorites from the Italian Tribune archives. We invite you to choose one or two and share it with your loved ones.
This Easter, make Torte di Pasqua with your daughter, granddaughter, daughter-in-law or niece – and keep the Italian American tradition alive for future generations to celebrate and enjoy.
Pastiera Napoletana di Grano (Easter Wheat Pie)
Prep time: 45 min Cook time: 1 hour 45 min – Serves 6
Ingredients
For the filling
- ½ lb wheat berries or hulled wheat (from soft wheat)
- 8 large eggs, separated
- 3 lbs ricotta cheese
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp vanilla extract
- candied fruit pieces (optional)
For the pastry dough
- 5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 6 large eggs
- pinch of salt
- 1 lemon, zested
- 5 tbsp vegetable shortening
Preparation
For the filling: Rinse hulled wheat with water and place in a large bowl. Add enough cold water to cover and let soak overnight in the refrigerator. Drain the wheat and place in a saucepan with enough cold water to cover. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 20 to 30 minutes, until tender. Cool completely for use in this recipe.
In a large bowl, beat 8 egg yolks (set egg whites aside in a separate bowl for later.) Add ricotta, wheat and sugar. Mix until well incorporated. Add vanilla and candied fruit pieces and mix well. Beat egg whites until fluffy and foamy and fold into ricotta mixture.
In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, 6 eggs, a pinch of salt and lemon zest. Knead until a dough is formed.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease baking pans with shortening and set aside. Cut a piece of the dough, according to the size of the pan and roll it out with a rolling pin. The dough should not be too thick. Lay dough into the greased baking pan. Fill the pan with the ricotta mixture.
For the top crust, cut another smaller piece of dough and roll very thin. Cut this into strips and place across top of pie, in a criss-cross pattern. Press the dough edges together with a fork, like a pie. Bake at 350°F for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until crust is golden brown.
Torta di Riso (Rice Pie)
Prep time: 45 min Cook time: 1 hour 20 min – Serves 10-12
Ingredients
For the crust
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¾ stick unsalted butter (chilled)
- 1 extra large egg or 2 small eggs
- 1-2 tbsp ice water, or as much as needed
For the filling
- ½ cup uncooked Arborio rice
- 4 cups water or whole milk
- 7 large eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 tsp lemon extract (or the zest and juice of 1 lemon)
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 lb ricotta cheese (drained)
Preparation
For the crust: Combine flour, sugar, salt and baking powder in a food processor and pulse several times. Add the butter and pulse about 10 times until the dough becomes pebbly in texture. Add the eggs and pulse repeatedly until the dough begins to stick together. Slowly add the ice water by the tablespoonful, while using a few long pulses. Add more drops of ice water as necessary, until the dough holds together well. Invert the dough onto a floured work surface. Form into a circle, flatten into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate while preparing the filling. Dough can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before continuing.
For the filling: Place the rice and water in medium heavy-bottom saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and cook the rice uncovered, stirring occasionally for about 15-20 minutes or until the water is absorbed and the rice is sticky. The rice should still be firm as it will finish cooking in the oven. Remove from heat and set aside.
Add the eggs and sugar to a large bowl and using a hand-mixer, beat until well combined. Add lemon and vanilla extracts and beat on low for about 10 seconds. Add the drained ricotta and beat on low for a few seconds until just combined. Add cooked rice and mix with a rubber spatula until well combined, making sure there are no clumps of rice. Place in refrigerator.
Place a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 375°F. Coat a 10.5-inch pie plate with cooking spray. Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll into an 11- inch circle. Transfer the dough to the prepared pie plate, gently pressing it into the bottom and sides. (No fluted crust is necessary since the crust is flush with the filling). At this point, put the crust in the freezer for about 10-15 minutes to get it well chilled, which will make for a flakier crust.
Remove the chilled crust from the freezer and pour the filling to about ¼ of an inch below the top of the crust, as it will puff up slightly when baking. Bake for 1 hour or until the filling puffs up, turns golden, and is set. Remove from the oven and let cool on a rack. Serve at room temperature or chilled.
Covered Meat Pie with Roasted Peppers
Recipe from the late Josie Alagna
Prep time: 30 min Cook time: 40 min – Serves 6-8
Ingredients
For the dough
- 1 tbsp active dry yeast
- 2 ½ cups warm water
- 5 – 6 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 2 tsp olive oil
For the filling
- ¾ lb sliced fresh mozzarella
- ½ lb sopressata
- ½ lb prosciutto
- ½ lb Genoa salami
- ½ lb sliced provolone
- 1 lb ricotta
- 2 roasted red peppers, cut into strips
- 6 large eggs
- ½ cup grated Parmigiano cheese
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
- salt and pepper
For the egg wash
1 egg beaten with 1 tsp water
Preparation
For the dough: In a large bowl, mix the yeast and 1 cup of water and let sit until bubbly. Then add the remaining water and mix. Place 5 cups of the flour into a mound on a counter with the salt and make a well in the center. Add the water and yeast mixture into the well along with 1 teaspoon of oil and mix with a fork until a sticky dough forms. Knead by hand until the dough is smooth, adding additional flour as needed. Lightly oil a large bowl with the remaining oil and place the dough in the bowl turning it to lightly cover with oil to prevent sticking. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm spot until the dough has doubled in size.
For the filling: Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly oil a 10 inch tart pan with removable bottom, or a 10 inch spring-form pan. Divide the dough in half and roll out one ball to a circle at least two inches wider than your pan. Fit the dough into the pan, pulling up along the sides.
Layer the sliced meats, cheeses and red pepper in the pan. In a small bowl, beat together the eggs, Parmigiano cheese, parsley, salt and pepper, then pour over the meats and cheeses.
Roll out the other half of the dough, then use it to cover the pie, sealing the edges by pinching the bottom and top pieces together, cutting off any excess. Brush the top of the pie with the egg wash, then bake for about 35 to 40 minutes or until puffed and golden brown. Cool, remove from the baking pan and serve in slices.
Pizza Chiena
Prep time: 50 min Cook time: 1 hour 30 min – Serves 10-14
For the dough
- 1 packet of active dry yeast
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp salt
- 2 cups of warm water
- 5-6 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp olive oil
For the filling
- 1 tsp olive oil
- ½ lb fresh, hot Italian sausage (in casing)
- ½ lb capicollo, thinly sliced
- 1/3 lb Genoa salami, thinly sliced
- 1/3 lb pepperoni, thinly sliced
- 1 lb fresh basket cheese (found at Italian specialty shops)
- ½ lb mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced
- 1 dozen eggs
- 1/3 cup minced fresh flat leaf parsley
- 15-20 cranks of freshly ground black pepper (pepper mill)
- 1 egg beaten with 1 tsp water for egg wash
Preparation
For the dough: In a large bowl, dissolve in 2 cups of warm water, yeast, sugar and salt. Using a spoon, gently blend. Add 5 cups of flour and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Blend with a spoon just until the dough starts to form. Then using your hands, transfer to a floured surface. Knead well, adding flour if it’s too sticky, until the dough becomes springy and smooth. It should take 5-10 minutes of vigorous kneading. It will be soft and silky when done. Place the dough ball in a large bowl coated with olive oil and rub some olive oil on top of the dough. Cover with a clean, dry dishtowel and let rise in a warm area until doubled in size (at least 2 hours).
For the filling: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Lower heat and cook 4 eggs until hard boiled (18-20 minutes). Remove eggs and run under cool water. Remove shells, slice thinly and set aside.
Meanwhile, heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Remove the sausage from its casing and add to the pan. Cook for 5-6 minutes, or until browned and crispy. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
Place oven rack in center of oven and preheat to 350 degrees. Brush the inside surface of a 10” X 3” spring form pan with olive oil.
Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release air bubbles. Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface, divide in half and roll one half into a 12-inch round. Transfer the dough to a 10-inch spring form pan. Using your hands, fit the dough snugly in the pan, gently stretching it to hang 1” over the edge of the pan.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the 8 eggs, parsley and black pepper. Fill the inside of the dough with alternating layers of sliced meats, cheeses and sliced hard-boiled eggs. After 5-6 layers, pour half of the egg mixture over the filling allowing it to seep down. Continue layering the meats and cheeses then pour the remainder of the egg mixture evenly over the top. You should have enough for 10-12 layers.
On a lightly floured surface roll out the second half of the dough to a 12” round; place the dough over the filling and using a sharp knife, trim excess dough until it just meets the rim of the pan.
Using your fingertips, pinch the edges of the dough together and gently roll the bottom layer over the top layer creating a seal. Then pinch the dough between your thumb and index finger creating a slightly fluted edge all around. Brush the top of pie with the egg wash.
Bake pie for 60- 75 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool at least 20-25 minutes. Release the spring pan and transfer the pie to a serving plate. Cut into wedges and enjoy at room temperature.
Pizza Rustica
Prep Time: 30 min Cook time: 1 hour 30 min – Serves 12
Ingredients
For the crust
- 4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup solid vegetable shortening
- ½ cup unsalted butter, chilled and cut into pieces
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 3 to 4 tbsp ice water
For the filling
- 8 oz sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
- 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, or Pecorino Romano
- 2 lbs whole milk ricotta, drained overnight
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella, diced
- 4 oz prosciutto, diced
- 4 oz cooked ham, diced
- 4 oz sopressata, diced
For the glaze
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
Preparation:
For the crust: Combine the flour and salt in a bowl. Cut in the shortening and butter with a pastry blender or fork until the mixture resembles large crumbs. Add eggs and stir until a soft dough forms. Scoop up some of the mixture with your hands and rapidly squeeze it until it holds together. Repeat with the rest of the dough until the ingredients hold together and can be formed into a smooth ball. If the mixture seems too dry and crumbly, add a little ice water. Gather the dough into two disks, one three times as large as the other. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap. Refrigerate 1 hour up to overnight.
For the filling: Cook the sausage in a small skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink, about 10 minutes. Remove the meat with a slotted spoon. Chop the meat on a board.
In a large bowl, beat the eggs and Parmigiano until well blended. Stir in the ricotta, sausage meat, mozzarella and diced meats.
Place the oven rack in the lower third of the oven. Preheat the oven to 375°F. On a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin, roll out the large piece of dough to form a 14” circle. Drape the dough over the rolling pin. Transfer the dough to a 9” spring form pan, pressing it smoothly against the bottom and up the sides of the pan. Scrape the filling into the pan.
Roll out the remaining piece of dough into a 9” circle. With a fluted pastry wheel, cut the dough into ½ inch strips. Place half the strips 1” apart over the filling. Turn the pan a quarter of the way around and place the remaining strips on top, forming a lattice pattern. Pinch the edges of the top and bottom layers of dough together to seal. Brush the dough with the egg glaze.
Bake the pie 1 to 1 ¼ hours, or until the crust is golden and the filling is puffed. Cool the pie in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Release from spring pan and let cool completely. Serve warm or at room temperature. Cover tightly and store in the refrigerator up to 3 days.
