Mary Berry Homity Pie Recipe

This Mary Berry Homity Pie is a rustic and comforting recipe, which calls for hearty potatoes and mature Cheddar cheese. It’s a satisfying vegetarian supper, ready in about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Mary Berry Homity Pie Ingredients

For the Shortcrust Pastry

• 200g (7oz) plain flour
• 100g (3½oz) chilled butter, cubed
• 2-3 tbsp cold water
• Pinch of salt

For the Filling

• 700g (1½lb) potatoes, peeled and cut into 2cm cubes
• 2 large onions, peeled and roughly chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 50g (2oz) butter
• 1 tbsp sunflower oil
• 175g (6oz) mature Cheddar cheese, grated
• 3 tbsp double cream (or crème fraîche)
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (optional)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

How To Make Mary Berry Homity Pie

1. Make the pastry: Put the flour, salt, and cubed butter into a food processor. Pulse until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add the water gradually, pulsing until the dough just comes together. Wrap in cling film and chill for 30 minutes.
2. Blind bake the case: Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C Fan/Gas 6). Roll out the pastry on a floured surface and line a 23cm (9in) loose-bottomed tart tin or pie dish. Prick the base with a fork, line with baking paper and baking beans, and bake for 15 minutes. Remove paper and beans and bake for another 5 minutes until the pastry is pale golden and sandy to the touch.
3. Cook the potatoes: While the pastry chills/bakes, boil the potato cubes in salted water for about 10–12 minutes until just tender but not falling apart. Drain well and set aside.
4. Sauté the aromatics: Heat the butter and oil in a large frying pan. Add the chopped onions and cook gently for 10–15 minutes until soft and translucent (do not brown them too much). Add the crushed garlic and cook for another minute.
5. Combine the filling: Add the drained potatoes to the onion mixture in the pan. Stir gently to coat. Remove from the heat. Stir in the double cream, parsley, thyme, and half of the grated cheese. Season generously with salt and pepper.
6. Assemble the pie: Spoon the potato and onion filling into the cooked pastry case, spreading it out evenly.
7. Top and bake: Sprinkle the remaining grated cheese over the top. Place in the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and golden brown.
8. Serve: Allow the pie to stand for 10 minutes before slicing. This helps the filling set slightly so it doesn’t crumble when cut.

Recipe Tips

• Potato choice: Use a floury potato variety like Maris Piper or King Edward. They break down slightly when mixed with the cream and cheese, creating a cohesive filling rather than loose potato cubes.
• Cheese matters: Since the main flavor comes from the cheese, use a strong Mature or Extra Mature Cheddar. Mary often suggests mixing in a little Parmesan for extra savory depth.
• Don’t skip blind baking: Because the filling is heavy and moist, if you don’t blind bake the pastry case first, you will end up with a “soggy bottom” that cannot support the weight of the pie.
• Adding greens: While traditional Homity Pie is potato/onion, Mary sometimes adds a handful of wilted spinach to the mixture for color and nutrition.

What To Serve With Mary Berry Homity Pie

This heavy, carb-rich pie needs fresh, crisp sides to balance it.

• Green Salad: A simple vinaigrette dressing cuts through the cheese.
• Tomato Salad: Balsamic glazed tomatoes add acidity.
• Pickled Onions or Chutney: Mary Berry’s Apple Chutney (see previous recipe) is the perfect partner.
• Steamed Green Beans: A light vegetable side.

How To Store Mary Berry Homity Pie

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Freeze: You can freeze the baked pie. Wrap it tightly in foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw completely in the fridge before reheating.
• Reheat: Cover with foil (to prevent the cheese burning) and reheat in a 180°C oven for 20 minutes until piping hot.

Mary Berry Homity Pie Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 580kcal
• Protein: 14g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fat: 38g
• Saturates: 22g
• Sugar: 4g
• Salt: 1.1g

Nutrition information is estimated per slice (based on 6 servings).

FAQs

Try More Recipes:

• Mary Berry Highland Steak Pie Recipe
• Mary Berry Steak and Mushroom Pie Recipe
• Mary Berry Steak and Kidney Pie Recipe

Mary Berry Homity Pie Recipe

Author: Chloe Saidani Cooking Method:Bake Cuisine:British Courses:Dinner

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 30 minutesCook time: 45 minutesRest time: 10 minutesTotal time:1 hour 25 minutesCooking Temp:100 CServings:6 servingsEstimated Cost:25 $Calories:580 kcal Best Season:Available

Description

A traditional open-top vegetable pie featuring a rich filling of tender potatoes, soft onions, and mature cheddar cheese encased in crispy shortcrust pastry.

Ingredients

• 200g plain flour
• 100g butter (for pastry)
• 700g potatoes, cubed
• 2 onions, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves
• 50g butter (for filling)
• 175g Mature Cheddar cheese
• 3 tbsp double cream
• 2 tbsp parsley

Instructions

1. Make shortcrust pastry and chill for 30 minutes.
2. Blind bake the pastry case at 200°C for 20 minutes total.
3. Boil potato cubes until tender; drain.
4. Fry onions and garlic in butter/oil until soft.
5. Mix potatoes, onions, cream, herbs, and half the cheese.
6. Fill the pastry case and top with remaining cheese.
7. Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden.
8. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

• Allowing the onions to cook slowly until they are very soft and sweet is crucial for the flavor profile, as they provide the savory base note against the bland potatoes.
• Be careful not to overcook the potatoes in the boiling stage; they need to be tender but firm enough to hold their cube shape when mixed with the heavy cheese sauce.
• If the top of the pie is browning too quickly before the center is hot, cover it loosely with foil for the final 10 minutes of baking.

Keywords:Mary Berry Homity Pie Recipe