1 Authentic Italian Meat Pie With Rapini | Pizza Rustica

While traditionally, Italian meat pie with rapini is prepared and served for Easter, our Sicilian family breaks all the traditional food rules and prepares what is also referred to as Pizza Rustica any time of the year we want a delicious, filling Italian meal.

The recipe I am sharing with you today for what is also referred to as Italian Easter sausage pie is a spin on the traditional version that contains salami, sometimes other Italian cold cuts, and often olives.

Instead, the Rapini and sausage Italian meat pie is a stuffed combination of protein, filled between a top and bottom crust that is fit for the Italian Gods to dine on.

As a side note, my recipe is for single-serve pies, but you can increase this recipe without issue; we make signal serve meat pies with rapini because, on Easter, there are so many other foods on our buffet.

And in true Italian tradition, there are always leftovers. We pack them up and send our family home with food from our celebration because you never leave a truly Italian house empty-handed!

What Names Your Family Might Refer To The Pizza Rustica As

This easy Italian sausage pie is a satiating and healthier alternative based on our traditional family Italian Easter meat pie recipe, also known by a few other names that you might recognize or your family might have referred to it as:

• Pizza Rustica
• Pizza Piena
• Pizza Chiena
• Pizza Gian (Pizzagaina)
• Sicilian easter meat pie
• Italian meat and cheese pie
• Pizza meat pie
• Italian Easter Pie Calzone

Pro Italian Girl Food Tip

This recipe is not Sicilian Sciachiatta which is a double-crusted (empanada-like) BREAD DOUGH; this is a pie crust.

Also, this is not the Italian Sicialian Pizza bread I’ve shared many times known as Sfincione.

But our Pizza Rustica is a homemade meat pie from scratch and is incredibly easy to make!

Why You’ll Love This Italian Meat Pie With Rapini

The genuine fact about this recipe is that it is easy, filling, and you can change the ingredients repeatedly to enjoy something new each time you prepare the meat pie with rapini ricotta and sausage filling!

• Pizza Rustica is great for breakfast or lunch
• It’s an easy way to fulfill what is known as the traditional Italian Easter offerings.
• You can and should make the Sicilian meat pie ahead of time
• The ingredients for the Sausage pie with rapini are easy to find
• The Italian ricotta pie with meat is easily transportable (think Easter, parties, etc.)
• you’ll have a fresh spin on ingredients, including nutrient-loaded broccoli rabe (rapini)
• Ricotta cheese is high in protein and is neutral when combined with other ingredients
• Once complete, it indeed proves that baking Italian recipes do not have to be hard
• the resulting Pizza Rustic is truly a stacked, stuffed layered feast

Equipment Needed To Make Easter Meat Pie

• A pie pan (with a bottom release or a spring pan)* (if you are making the pie crust only)
• large mixing bowl
• a stand mixer (or by hand)
• rolling pin
• parchment paper
• Spatula
• measuring cup
• Wooden Spoon
• Frying pan
• knife

Time-Saving Pro Tip For The Pie Crust

Time is always working against us, so fear not; you can purchase premade shells so you do not have to make the pie crust dough for this recipe. Do note that buying a frozen prepared shell would still require you to at least roll out the top layer or you could purchase premade pie dough and use it for the top.

Alternatively, you can purchase premade pie crusts and roll them out, using them instead of making dough for both the top and the bottom.

Don’t worry; Nonna will forgive you for this shortcut because she will be happy you are carrying on the tradition and making the sausage and ricotta pie!

Ingredients for Your Italian Meat Pie

• Water
• Salt
• Flour
• Yeast
• Butter
• Olive Oil
• Hot or Sweet Sausage (casing off), so bulk is better
• Cooked Broccoli Rabe (Rapini) Recipe here >>Rapini
• Mozzarella Cheese Shredded
• Pecorino Romano
• Ricotta Cheese
• Egg Yolks
• Eggs
• breadcrumbs

How To Make An Italian Meat Pie With Sausage and Broccoli Rabe

Now I will share how to prepare the pie crust, the Easter meat, the ricotta cheese mixture, and all the other ingredients so you can bake your homemade, golden brown stuffed Easter meat pie!

Step 1: Create the pie pastry shell for the Italian Easter Sausage Pie

Using a large bowl, you will combine flour, salt, beaten eggs, vegetable shortening, and cold butter together with ice water to create the pastry.

You’ll find it easiest to use a stand mixer and the paddle to create this pastry dough, it is easier than mixing it by hand, but you can also do that.

Step 2: Mixing With The Dough Hook

Once the ingredients are combined, you will trade the mixer paddle for the dough hook.

Allow the hook to knead the pie crust (pastry dough) briefly; when it is ready, the dough will have elasticity and a seemingly smooth appearance.

Step 3: Let That “Pie Dough” Rest

While initially, you might have considered this a pie dough, as you can see, there is yeast in it, and the dough you have made will double.

So while this is not bread dough, it is not pie dough either; it is somewhere in the middle!

Place the freshly prepared pastry dough into a lightly oiled bowl, cover it, and allow it to rest for 1 hour, where it will double in size.

While the pastry dough is doubling, you will begin working on the filling.

Step 4: Prepping the Sausage and Broccoli Rabe

It would be best to prepare the cooked broccoli rabe using the simple recipe above; set that aside.

Next, you will use your frying pan to cook the uncased sausage with the garlic thoroughly.

Browning the sausage until fully cooked, and break it up as you turn it in the frying pan.

Once you are done, the cooked sausage and garlic should be crumbled combined, and you will remove it from the frying pan and set it aside.

Step 5: Preparing The Ricotta Egg Filling

In a large mixing bowl, place your eggs in and beat them until they are fluffy but not crazy, so about 2 minutes on medium-high.

Add the drained ricotta cheese and combine to combine thoroughly; it will look like a thick and creamy filling.

Add the pecorino romano cheese and the shredded mozzarella filling and blend again.

Step 6: Blend The Filling Together

This is where the meat pie with rapini and filling all come together.

You will add the sausage and broccoli rabe into the ricotta egg filling mixture and mix well.

Step 7: Cut the pastry for the Pizza Rustica

Preheat your oven and butter your spring pan.

Place parchment paper down on your counter (or not)

Lightly dust your parchment paper or countertop with flour.

Remove the pastry dough from the covered bowl.

Divide the dough into 2 pieces: 1/3 and 2/3 because you will need more for the bottom than the top crust.

Using a rolling pin, roll out your dough into what should be a 16″ if you are using a traditional 9 1/2″ Springform Pan.

Place this portioned dough into the prepared springform pan, allowing it to drape over without tearing.

Next, you’ll want to pinch your draping dough somewhat (see my photo).

Step 8: Fill The Pie Crust Cavity

Fill the pie cavity using the ricotta egg filling and the sausage rapini (Broccoli rabe).

Add your prepared, combined filling into the pie crust cavity.

Step 9: Create the top crust for your Easter Meat Pie

Using the remaining dough (1/3 portion), you will roll this out in the same way as you did the bottom crust, and you will roll it into a 9″ round top.

Once it is formed, place it on top of the newly formed Pizzagaina and pinch it to close.

Now, brush it with an egg yolk.

Step 10: Baking the Stuffed Ricotta Rapini Sausage Pie

Place the prepared ricotta-filled rustica on a baking tray (in case of overflow) and place it on the middle rack.

Bake, then remove to cooling racks to rest before serving.

What To Serve With Your Italian Easter Sausage Pie

The flexibility of this particular meat pie is fantastic and truly depends on the time you are serving it.

For instance, if you are serving this at Easter, you’ll want to serve it differently than if you serve it during Christmas and, naturally, use it for a Sunday brunch.

Here are a few ideas of what to pair this meat pie with once you have made it, baked it, and are ready to serve it!

Possible Sides You May Want To Consider

Rosemary potato wedges are a great addition to this as a side and make it a complete meal, IMO.

Also, when you serve this fabulous hearty meat pie for breakfast, you may want to consider fresh citrus on the side or pear sliced and drizzled with honey and almonds.

A Dandelion mixed salad is also a fantastic side as it offers a bitterness that is countered by the sweet taste of the ricotta in the Pizza Rustica.

Popular Substitutions and Additions

• You can eliminate the pie dough and opt for the refrigerated premade, do note that using a frozen pie shell is not recommended as you need a top pastry dough to top off your meat pie, and you won’t have that if you purchase a frozen one.
• Instead of sausage and broccoli rabe, you could sub in a sauteed Swiss chard or spinach.
• If you prefer a more traditional Italian Easter meat pie, you might consider using Italian cold cuts, such as Mortadella, Sopressata, etc., rather than sausage (sweet or spicy)

How To Reheat & Store Italian Meat Pie

There are no mysteries here regarding reheating and storing, and I will share this with you so that if you have leftovers, you can safely store them!

Best Way To Store Pizza Rustica Leftover

I suggest cutting the leftovers into wedges and transferring each leftover slice to an airtight container in the refrigerator.

How Long Will Italian Meat Pie Last In the Refrigerator?

You can store this meat pie in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, I don’t suggest any longer, but I will clue you in as to what to do if you need to store it any longer.

Can I Freeze Italian Easter Sausage Pie?

Yes, you can freeze this for up to 6 months, providing you wrap it securely in either an airtight container or freezer zip bags, taking care to force all the air out of the storage bags.

How To Reheat Italian Easter Sausage Pie

All that you have to do to reheat your leftover slices/wedges of the meat pie, is to portion out the piece you want, and place it in the microwave for 1-minute increments (as microwaves vary in temperature)/

Pizza Rustica FAQs

Don’t Forget To Come Back And Let Me Know How Your Italian Meat Pie Turned Out

This recipe has been in my Sicilian-rooted Italian family for generations, and I am so happy to share it with you.

My Nonna used to make this on all the holidays, with Easter being the one I remember the most!

Italian Meat Pie With Rapini Recipe

About Dana

With roots in Sicily and Rome, Dana combines her family’s culinary heritage with her experience as a travel writer and chef to create authentic Italian recipes. Drawing from time in Italy, cherished Nonna’s recipes, and her expertise with modern kitchen appliances, she simplifies traditional Italian cooking. Dana’s approach keeps the authentic flavors and tastes intact, offering easy yet genuine Italian dishes for everyday cooking.