Rustic Potato and Onion Pie

The rustic potato and onion pie is a comforting and tasty dish, perfect for a family dinner or as a one-course meal. Here’s how to make it.

Ingredients

• 1 kg potatoes
• 2 medium onions
• 200 g grated cheese (pecorino or parmesan)
• 2 eggs
• 100 ml milk
• Nutmeg, to taste
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil, to taste
• Butter, for greasing the pan
• Breadcrumbs, for dusting the pan

Preparation

1. Start by peeling the potatoes and cutting them into cubes. Boil them in salted water until soft, then drain and mash them into a puree with a potato masher or fork.

2. Meanwhile, thinly slice the onions and sauté them in a pan with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a pinch of salt, until they become translucent and lightly golden.

3. In a large bowl, mix the potato puree with the sautéed onions, grated cheese, eggs, milk, and a touch of nutmeg. Adjust salt and pepper to your taste.

4. Take a baking pan and grease it with a little butter, then dust it with breadcrumbs. This will create a crispy crust around the pie.

5. Pour the mixture into the pan and level it well with the back of a spoon.

6. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C for about 40-45 minutes, or until the surface is golden and crispy.

7. Once ready, let it rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Fun Facts

The rustic potato and onion pie has peasant origins; it was once prepared to make use of available ingredients and ensure a hearty, nutritious meal. In some variations, other cheeses like smoked scamorza are added, or a filling of cooked ham or pancetta is placed inside the pie for an even richer, more enveloping flavor.

If you’d like to add a more pronounced Italian touch, you might consider using taleggio or gorgonzola instead of grated cheese, for a more intense and typically Italian flavor note.