Italian Easter Pie Ricotta Salami (Printable version)

A savory Italian pie featuring creamy ricotta, salami, cheeses, and a crisp pastry crust for festive meals.

# 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 to 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

→ To Finish

16 - 1 large egg, beaten for egg wash

# Directions:

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 enough cold water to form a soft dough. Knead briefly, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for 20 minutes.
03 - Roll out two-thirds of the pastry and line the prepared pan, allowing excess to overhang the edges.
04 - In a large bowl, combine ricotta, eggs, heavy cream, Parmigiano-Reggiano, mozzarella, parsley, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Stir in diced salami until evenly distributed throughout.
05 - Pour filling into the pastry-lined pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
06 - Roll out remaining pastry and cut into strips. Arrange strips in a lattice pattern over the filling. Trim and crimp edges with a fork or your fingers.
07 - Brush lattice strips and edges with beaten egg using a pastry brush.
08 - Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until golden brown and filling is set. If the crust browns too quickly, cover edges loosely with aluminum foil.
09 - Cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It looks restaurant-quality but forgives minor imperfections, making you feel like a pastry chef even if your lattice is slightly wonky.
  • The creamy ricotta filling with salami creates this perfect balance of richness and salty punch that keeps people coming back for another slice.
02 -
  • Draining your ricotta thoroughly is non-negotiable, otherwise you'll end up with a soggy bottom crust that breaks your heart.
  • Don't skip the chilling step for the dough, as it ensures your crust stays tender and doesn't shrink during baking.
03 -
  • Keep your butter genuinely cold, even chilling your bowl beforehand if your kitchen is warm, because warm butter makes tough pastry instead of flaky layers.
  • If your lattice strips tear, simply press them back together or patch with another strip and no one will ever know, except you'll know the secret of forgiving pastry work.
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