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Savory Summer Squash Pie

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Savory Summer Squash Pie is the delicious answer to the question of  “what to do with all those zucchini and summer squash” that are lying despondently on your kitchen counter. 

Savory Summer Squash Pie

Such a yummy way to use up those summer squashes and zucchini that lie on your counter, silently mocking you.

I used to make this dish a lot when we first got married. My mother-in-law would give me zucchini and yellow squash from her garden, and as a newlywed, I honestly had no idea what to do with them. Mostly, I’d avoided them as a kid.

But this recipe for Savory Summer Squash Pie taught me what to do with them. It was an all in one meal: protein, veggies, cheese, and carbs. (Of course, a side salad would make it even nicer.)  I was working a real job back then, as an elementary school counselor, and my main goal was a one dish dinner that would make enough for leftovers for the two of us, so I wouldn’t have to cook the next night, either.

This Recipe Can Be Easily Converted to Vegetarian Recipe

I love all the flavor that Italian Sausage adds, but if you prefer, you could easily omit the Italian Sausage, and this Savory Summer Squash pie would still be delicious. If you add some eggplant, you could call it ratatouille vegetarian pie, in fact. 

Why Does the Crust Require Pre-Baking?

Pre-baking, or blind baking is called for in recipes where the filling is quite wet, and the crust is likely to get soggy. Pre-baking is often done in quiches, and Savory Summer Squash Pie could be classified as a type of quiche. 

The Blind Baked Crust of Savory Summer Squash Pie

The blind baked crust. You can see it’s just beginning to get slightly golden.

Why Do You Prick the Pie Pastry with a Fork?

When you’re pre-baking a pie crust pastry with no filling to weigh it down, it tends to puff up, or bubble up, and can produce an uneven surface. When you pierce the pastry with a fork, you’re creating little holes that allow the steam (from the melting fat) to escape. Piercing it is also called “docking” it. 

Can I Use a Store Bought Crust?

Of course you can!

However…homemade crust is super easy to make, and if you’re just learning how, I actually have a tutorial that gives you every “why” and “how” you’ll ever need to learn the ins and outs of making a deliciously flaky pie pastry. But if tonight, you’re not quite up for it, or in a bit of a rush, feel free to use a store bought crust. It may not taste quite as good, but your dinner will still be delicious! (Because this recipe for Savory Summer Pie IS delicious!)

Browning the Italian Sausage

For the filling, I started out by browning some Italian Sausage. I removed it from the pan to drain on paper towels.

Sautéing the onions and peppers for Savory Summer Squash Pie

I used the fat from the sausage plus a bit of olive oil to add flavor to the onions and peppers as I sautéed them.

Sautéeing the veggies

Adding the summer squash, zucchini, and the tomatoes to the mix, plus some parsley, rosemary, and basil from my herb boxes. You could also add eggplant, if you like. 

Adding the sausage into the mix.

Adding the drained sausage to the veggie mix.

Savory Summer Squash Pie

Just out of the oven!

Savory Summer Squash Pie

How about a slice of Savory Summer Squash Pie? I believe this piece has YOUR name on it! 

Yield: 8 servings

Savory Summer Squash Pie

Savory Summer Squash Pie

A savory pie packed with all those beautiful summer veggies: summer squash, zucchini, peppers and tomatoes, not to mention Italian sausage, and some mozzarella cheese, for good measure. Oh, yes...and, it's PIE!

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Additional Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • FOR CRUST:
  • 1 1/4 c. all purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/3 c. plus 2 tablespoons shortening
  • 3 to 4 tablespoons ice water
  • FOR PIE FILLING:
  • 1/2 lb. Italian sausage
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 c. bell pepper strips
  • 1/2 c. diced onion
  • 1 c. diced zucchini
  • 1 c. diced tomato
  • 1 c. diced summer squash
  • 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano
  • 3 or 4 torn fresh basil leaves
  • 2 or 3 stems of fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary needles
  • 1 c. shredded mozzarella
  • 3 eggs, beaten
  • 1/3 c. milk

Instructions

  1. FOR CRUST:
    Combine flour and salt. Cut in shortening with pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse meal.
  2. Sprinkle ice water, 1 T. at a time, evenly over surface.
  3. Stir with a fork until dry ingredients are moistened.
    Shape into a ball, and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill in fridge for at least 1 hour.
  4. Pre-heat oven to 400º.
    Roll dough to 1/8" thickness on a lightly floured surface.
    Place in tart dish/pie plate, and flute and trim excess pastry around edges.
  5. Pre-Bake crust for 3 minutes. Remove from oven, and gently prick sides and bottom of pastry with a fork. Bake for another 5 minutes. (Lower heat in oven to 325º)
  6. FOR FILLING: Brown the Italian sausage, and remove it from the pan to drain on a paper towel.
  7. To the fat that remains in the pan, add 1 tablespoon olive oil, using medium heat. Sauté the onions and peppers till the onions start to become translucent.
  8. Add to the pan the summer squash, zucchini, and tomatoes, and the herbs. Sauté gently for a few minutes.
  9. Remove pan from heat. Add the milk to the beaten eggs. Pour the egg mixture over the veggies. Add the cheese, and the drained sausage. Stir to mix thoroughly. Pour into pre-baked crust.
  10. Bake pie for 50 minutes, or until set. Allow pie to rest 10 minutes, before serving.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 335Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 96mgSodium: 483mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 2gSugar: 6gProtein: 14g

Ruth

Monday 1st of April 2024

I found this recipe or one like it last year and froze the vegetable mix. It turned out good, My husband went back for seconds! May try mexi cheese on next batch.

Don

Thursday 20th of July 2023

I added garlic. What savory dish doesn’t have garlic? I also used 1/2 hot and 1/2 mild Italian sausage. Came out very nice, but I think I’ll use a mix of sharp cheddar if I make it again. You leave out a step of re-adding the sausage and it wasn’t clear what temp to bake at. I did 350.

Ruth

Friday 5th of August 2022

Is the mixture freezable?

Ruth

Monday 1st of April 2024

@Ruth, I bet this was me. So yes, the veggies are freezable!

Susan Williams

Monday 8th of August 2022

I fear the dairy eggs and cheese might separate, but you could sauté the veggie mixture in advance.

Ruth

Thursday 4th of August 2022

I made this recipe except I used roasted cherry tomatoes and leftover cooked chicken. Turned out wonderful! I will try it again with the Italian sausage. What brand of tart pan/pie plate did you use?

Susan Williams

Monday 8th of August 2022

I used a Villeroy-Bosch tarte pan.

Julie Guy

Monday 1st of August 2022

Loved it!! The mixture of the Italian sausage and the piecrust together was so tasty and with all the veggies and perfect spices made a perfect dinner! Thank you !

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