Life
Since the dawn of man, humans have been asking themselves the same question time and time again: What should we do for dinner? If you’re looking for some easy and inventive meal ideas, these store-bought pie crust hacks will take your dinner and pre-made dough to the next level.
Making homemade pie crust can be finicky and frustrating. You want to combine your ingredients without over mixing. You want to maintain a flaky consistency without creating a crust that will just fall apart. You just, for the love of baked goods, want a decent and delicious base for your pie. This is where store-bought pie crust comes in to hold your hand, gently caress your cheek, and say, “Shh. Don’t worry. I am here now.”
There is absolutely no shame in using store-bought pie crust. It’s essentially what Sandra Lee based her entire career on. Stocking up on pie crust and keeping it in your freezer will save you some trouble when you’re stuck wondering what to make for dinner. Pie crust can be savory. It can be sweet. It is the underappreciated buttery carb you seek. Here are 13 recipe ideas that use store-bought pie crust that aren’t just your typical pie.
1
Chicken Pot Pie
This recipe from Betty Crocker uses classic ingredients for chicken pot pie like peas, carrots, and a thickened broth. Save yourself some time by using premade pie crust for this recipe. It’ll be our new go-to simple, savory dinner.
2
Quiche
Make every day a day for brunch by using store-bought pie crust for quiche. You can add pretty much any combination of ingredients you’ve got lying around: ham and cheese, potato and leek, frozen spinach and feta. This recipe from Half-Baked Harvest uses asparagus and brie.
4
Homemade Pop-Tarts
Looking for your next breakfast project? Betty Crocker’s recipe for homemade Pop-Tarts is simple, sweet, and looks as delicious as they taste.
5
Mashed Potato Pie
What goes better with carbs than even more carbs? Pappy’s Pie Dough has a recipe for Mashed Potato Pie that will be your new favorite comfort food.
8
Cayenne Cheese Straws
Lest you think you were limited to pie-shaped things, Kroger’s recipe for cayenne cheese straws proves otherwise. Just cut your dough into strips and season with whatever savory spices you want. Add a packet of ranch seasoning. Switch it up with taco seasoning. Just some salt and pepper would turn these into a delicious snack.
9
Palmiers
Also known as elephant hearts, a palmier is a French pastry sprinkled with coarse sugar and shaped into two connecting spirals. Though puff pastry is the standard base, you can follow this recipe from The Kitchn and use your pre-made pie crust instead.
11
Egg And Cheese Crostata
If you’ve yet to become acquainted with the crostata, this recipe from The Kitchn will be the perfect introduction. All you need are eggs, cheese, butter, salt, and some fresh mint for a delicious and easy crostata.
13
Pie Crust Cookies And Funfetti Dip
Everyone has a dessert recipe that they love but aren’t sure who they learned it from. (Maybe it was engrained in us at birth?) Mine is Funfetti dip. All you need are a box of Funfetti cake mix, an 8-ounce tub of Cool Whip, some cream cheese, and a splash of milk. Then, you just mix and add more milk until it’s a dip-able and fluffy consistency. Top with sprinkles and serve it alongside pie crust cookies. To make those, just cut your desired shape out of the pre-made pie crust, brush with butter, sprinkle with sugar, add some sprinkles on top, and bake until golden brown.
If all else fails, just bake your crust as instructed on the box, break it apart when cooled, and top it with fruit and whipped cream. Call it a deconstructed pie and no one will question your genius.
