Empanada de Pisto (Spanish Vegetable Pie)
A double crust Spanish pie packed with slow cooked courgette, peppers, aubergine and tomato, rich with olive oil.
Made with Shortcrust pastry and Spanish sofrito. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time1 hr 30
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £0.97 a head
- Oven200°C (180°C fan)
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Warm the olive oil in a large pan and add the aubergine, courgette and pepper. Cook over a medium heat for 10 minutes until starting to soften.
10 min - 2
Stir in your ready made sofrito (see the base recipe), the paprika and the tomatoes. Simmer gently for 20 minutes, stirring now and then, until thick and jammy.
20 min - 3
Season, tip into a bowl and cool completely. Drain off any excess oil.
- 4
Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Cut your ready made shortcrust pastry (see the base recipe) into two pieces, one slightly larger. Roll the larger to fit a 28 by 20 cm tray and the other for the lid.
- 5
Spoon the filling over the base, leaving a border. Brush the edge with egg, lay the lid over and press to seal.
- 6
Cut a steam hole, brush with egg and bake for 35 to 40 minutes until deep golden. Rest for 15 minutes before cutting.
38 min 20 s
Tips
- Cook the filling until it is thick. A watery pisto will make the base soggy.
- Cut the vegetables the same size so they cook evenly.
- Good served warm or cold with a rocket salad.
Storing and freezing
Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days once cooled within 2 hours. Eat cold or reheat at 180C (fan 160C) for 15 minutes until hot through. The filling freezes for 2 months.
Questions
Is pisto the same as ratatouille?
They are similar vegetable stews. Pisto from La Mancha is usually cooked more slowly in more olive oil and is often served with a fried egg.
Can I add a fried egg?
Yes. Serve a warm slice topped with a fried egg for a classic pairing.
Can I make it vegan?
Yes, with a dairy free baking block in the pastry and plant milk to glaze.
More made with shortcrust pastry
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.
