Italian Easter Pie Ricotta Salami (Print Version)

Savory Italian pastry filled with creamy ricotta, salami, and cheese baked to golden perfection.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pastry

01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 2 large eggs
05 - 2-3 tablespoons cold water

→ Filling

06 - 2 cups whole-milk ricotta cheese, well drained
07 - 4 large eggs
08 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
09 - 1 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
10 - 1 1/2 cups diced Italian salami
11 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
12 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
13 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
14 - 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
15 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Finishing

16 - 1 egg, beaten for egg wash

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9-inch springform or deep pie pan with butter or cooking spray.
02 - In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add eggs and 2-3 tablespoons cold water gradually until a soft dough forms. Knead briefly, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
03 - Roll out two-thirds of the pastry dough and carefully line the prepared pan, allowing excess to overhang the edges.
04 - In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 4 eggs, heavy cream, Parmigiano-Reggiano, mozzarella, parsley, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Mix until smooth, then fold in diced salami until evenly distributed.
05 - Pour the filling mixture into the pastry-lined pan and smooth the surface with a spatula.
06 - Roll out remaining pastry and cut into 1/2-inch strips. Arrange strips in a lattice pattern over the filling, alternating direction. Trim excess pastry and crimp the edges with a fork.
07 - Brush the lattice strips and crimped edges with beaten egg to create a golden finish.
08 - Bake for 55-60 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the filling is set. If edges brown too quickly, loosely cover with aluminum foil.
09 - Allow pie to cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It's a showstopper that looks far more complicated than it actually is, perfect for impressing people without spending all day cooking.
  • The combination of creamy ricotta, salty salami, and buttery pastry creates layers of flavor that somehow taste both indulgent and fresh.
  • It's equally good warm from the oven or served at room temperature hours later, making it ideal for entertaining or meal prep.
02 -
  • Draining your ricotta thoroughly is the difference between a silky filling and a watery one that pools at the bottom, so don't skip this step even if it seems tedious.
  • Keeping your butter cold throughout the pastry-making process is what creates those precious flaky layers, so work quickly and don't let warmth rush you.
03 -
  • If your kitchen is warm and your pastry is becoming difficult to work with, pop it back into the refrigerator for 10 minutes to firm up the butter again.
  • The secret to an evenly baked bottom crust is preheating your oven thoroughly and placing the pie on the lowest oven rack where heat is most direct.
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