Italian hand pies. Scrumptious sausage filling. Completely irresistible. Totally addictive. These dainty hand pies are full of flavor and gooey cheese and one of the most delightful pies you can make any time.
This post was originally published in February 2016. It has been updated for content and photos.
Remember this beef rendang poutine burger? Well, thanks to Sunday Supper and Idaho Potatoes, this recipe was featured in BuzzFeed last week. Woot woot! And I just can’t stop thinking how flavorful this burger is.
I was flipping through my calendar and can you believe March is here? Next week, I’ll be in Chicago for the International Home and Housewares Show and I have listed good restaurants to try and places to visit but would love to hear your recommendations about it, too. This will be my third trip to Chicago in a year, but frankly, I’m not too excited about the weather. We were there last March, and it was still snowing during our trip there, and this California girl did not take it well. So, I hope the weather is more forgiving this time so I can enjoy some ‘me’ time there.
Meanwhile, I’ll leave the hubs with a pile of these Italian Hand Pies. I rarely make pies, and I only have a few pies on my list. Since the hubs is also not a fan of sweet pies; hence, savory pies sound comforting especially after a long day at work and stuck in traffic.
What is the Italian Hand Pie?
In short, it is a mini calzone but better because each pie comes with ricotta cheese, sausages (or ground meat), and marinara sauce.
What kind of meat can I use?
I am using Italian sausage in this recipe. However, you can use your favorite sausages or replace it with ground beef or turkey if you don’t have sausages in hand and the result will be simply delicious!
Can I brush the puff pastry with milk?
I prefer using an egg or egg yolk for a clear shine. In addition, milk can be used to encourage browning.
Italian Hand pies
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb spicy Italian sausage remove the casing
- 3 cloves garlic finely minced
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce
- Salt to taste
- 1.5 – 2 tbs chopped fresh basil
- 1/2 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 package 2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 egg yolk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375F.
- In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high. Add garlic and sausage, and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned, about 4 minutes.
- Add marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and salt. Mix well and add fresh basil. Set aside.
- Unfold the pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Cut each pastry sheet into 6 rectangle pieces. Put six rectangles on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet.
- Spoon the sausage into the center of each rectangle. Add 1/2 tsp ricotta cheese on top of sausage mixture.
- Brush edges with beaten egg and top with another rectangle. Seal the edges together with the tines of a fork. Then brush the top with egg.
- Bake in the oven for 35 minutes until puffed and golden. Garnish with more basil.
Love the ricotta and Italian sausage! They look like something my husband would love too!
My husband couldn’t stop eating it 😀
I love the combination of filling ingredients—so yummy!!! And what an easy recipe to prepare–double bonus!
Thank you, Liz!
I am so jealous that you’ll be at the housewares show, Linda! Take lots of photos and eat lots of good food for me, ok? Speaking of good food, these hand pies look awesome! And I love the Italian twist here. Well done!!
Thank you, David!
These look amazing! I bet they are gone as soon as you put them out….
Yup, you’re right 😀
What a fun idea! I love that it’s all wrapped up nicely in a little package 🙂
Thank you, Melissa! It’s cute but filling at the same time 🙂
These hand pies are so beautiful! They sound delicious, too.
They are 😀 I hope you’ll get a chance to try this recipe 🙂
I’d love these. The look reminds me of toasted ravioli!
Thank you, Sue!
yum! right up my alley