Mmm...hot steaming pot pies right out of the oven. They sound a little intimidating, but homemade pot pies are a super easy, go-to meal when you start with Pillsbury® refrigerated pie crust. Really! Our Test Kitchen Expert, Kristen, answers questions about the ultimate comfort food to make it even more foolproof.
Give these pot pies a try!
Q: Why do I have to get the filling hot before I add the top crust?
A: Getting the filling hot before you top the pot pie will help to cook the pie crust from the inside out. It will cook more evenly, preventing a soggy pie crust or biscuit bottom. Your crust will have a perfectly golden top with a deliciously flaky texture. Getting your filling nice and piping hot also helps reduce the bake time.
Q: What’s the best way to keep filling from leaking through and sticking to the pot pie plate?
A: If the filling is a little thin and you are worried about it leaking through the pot pie crust, sprinkling a tablespoon of flour in the pie plate before you unroll the pie crust will help to prevent sticking in the off-chance that your pie crust does spring a leak. If you do get a tear or crack in the pie crust while placing it in the pie plate, you can easily mend it before baking. Just wet your fingers and press or pinch the edges together.
Q: What's the best way to freeze a pot pie (baked? unbaked)? Any tips about which ones freeze best?
A: Pot pies are best frozen after they are baked. Cooking the pot pie as directed in the recipe, let it cool completely, then wrap thoroughly. If it's tightly sealed, it can be stored in the freezer 2 to 3 months. To thaw, unwrap and heat at 325°F for 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the filling and the size of the pot pie, until thoroughly heated. In my house, the best pot pies to freeze are individual or mini ones like Mini Crescent Pot Pies or Turkey Sweet Potato Pot Pies. When I am the only one home and don’t have time to cook (or don't feel like it), this is the perfect dinner that I can just pop in the oven! (Although the Classic Chicken Pot Pie is always a good secret weapon against a weeknight dinner rush; keep one in the freezer for a comfort-food fix!)
Q: What can I do to make my pot pies look extra-special? Any tips or tricks for cooking pot pies?
A: We have lots of easy tips and tricks to make your pot pie look extra special! The topping on the Deep-Dish Turkey Pot Pie is so fancy that you can serve it to guests, who will be very impressed and it only takes 15 minutes to pull together!
Just like with any dessert pie, you can use your favorite technique when sealing the top crust. Here are a few easy ideas:
Ready to make your best pot pie? Try our most popular recipes .