Get ready to discover your new favorite comfort food: the Monterey Sausage Pie. This recipe is the perfect harmony of savory sausage, gooey Monterey Jack cheese, and a tender, flaky crust. It’s a wonderfully versatile dish that shines as a hearty breakfast, a satisfying lunch, or a comforting dinner. If you’re looking for a simple yet impressive meal that the whole family will love, you’ve come to the right place. This pie is not just a dish; it’s an experience.
We’ve designed this recipe to be straightforward and incredibly flavorful. Forget complicated steps and hard-to-find ingredients. This is all about simple, delicious, and satisfying results every single time.
Why You’ll Love This Monterey Sausage Pie Recipe
- Incredibly Flavorful: The combination of seasoned sausage and mild, creamy Monterey Jack cheese creates a rich and savory flavor profile that’s simply irresistible.
- Perfect for Any Meal: Serve it warm for a family dinner or enjoy a slice cold for lunch the next day. It’s even hearty enough for a special weekend brunch.
- Easy to Make: With a simple ingredient list and clear, step-by-step instructions, even novice cooks can bake this savory pie to perfection.
- Crowd-Pleaser: This dish is a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults, making it perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or a simple family meal.
Ingredients for the Perfect Sausage Pie
This recipe uses simple, accessible ingredients to create its signature savory flavor. Here’s what you’ll need to gather.
For the Filling
- Pork Sausage: One pound of ground pork sausage provides the savory, meaty base. You can use mild, hot, or breakfast sausage depending on your preference.
- Monterey Jack Cheese: This cheese is the star, offering a beautiful melt and a mild, buttery flavor. You’ll need two cups, freshly shredded for the best results.
- Onion & Bell Pepper: A yellow onion and a green bell pepper add a layer of aromatic flavor and texture.
- Eggs: Three large eggs bind the filling together, creating a custard-like consistency.
- Milk: Whole milk adds richness and moisture to the egg mixture.
- Seasoning: A simple blend of salt, black pepper, and garlic powder is all you need to enhance the flavors.
For the Crust
- Store-Bought Pie Crust: To keep things quick and easy, a 9-inch refrigerated pie crust works perfectly. Feel free to use your favorite homemade recipe if you prefer!
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Monterey Sausage Pie
Follow these simple steps to create a flawless savory pie. We’ll guide you from preheating the oven to serving up a perfect golden-brown slice.
- Preheat and Prep: First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Gently press the pie crust into a 9-inch pie dish, fluting the edges for a decorative touch.
- Cook the Sausage and Vegetables: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the sausage until it’s browned and crumbled. Drain off any excess grease. Add the chopped onion and bell pepper to the skillet and cook until they have softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Assemble the Pie: Spread the cooked sausage and vegetable mixture evenly over the bottom of the pie crust. Sprinkle the shredded Monterey Jack cheese on top.
- Prepare the Egg Mixture: In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until smooth and well-combined.
- Fill and Bake: Carefully pour the egg mixture over the cheese and sausage in the pie dish. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the center is set and the top is golden brown. A knife inserted into the center should come out clean.
- Rest and Serve: Let the Monterey Sausage Pie cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This helps the filling set completely, ensuring clean slices.
Pro Tips for Recipe Success
Want to make your Monterey Sausage Pie even better? Here are a few expert tips to guarantee a perfect result every time.
- Shred Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can prevent it from melting smoothly. For the gooiest, creamiest texture, buy a block of Monterey Jack and shred it yourself.
- Don’t Skip the Rest: Allowing the pie to rest after baking is crucial. It gives the filling time to set, which makes for much cleaner, prettier slices.
- Blind Bake the Crust: For an extra-crispy crust with no chance of a soggy bottom, you can blind bake the pie shell for 10 minutes before adding the filling.
- Check for Doneness: The pie is done when the center is just set. It shouldn’t jiggle when you gently shake the dish. If the top starts to brown too quickly, you can cover it loosely with aluminum foil for the last 10 minutes of baking.
Delicious Variations to Try
While this classic Monterey Sausage Pie is fantastic as is, it’s also a great base for customization. Here are a few ideas to switch things up.
- Different Cheeses: Swap out half the Monterey Jack for cheddar, Colby, or even a spicy Pepper Jack for a different flavor profile.
- Add More Veggies: Sautéed mushrooms, spinach (squeezed dry), or jalapeños would all be delicious additions.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sausage or a dash of hot sauce to the egg mixture for a little extra heat. For a different flavor profile, consider adding some of my homemade Cajun seasoning.
- Crustless Option: For a lower-carb version, simply skip the crust and bake the filling in a greased 9-inch pie dish. You may need to reduce the baking time slightly.
What to Serve with Your Savory Pie
This cheesy sausage pie is a hearty meal on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with a variety of side dishes. A simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing offers a fresh, light contrast. For a more substantial meal, consider serving it alongside roasted vegetables or a comforting soup like my Creamy Chicken Parmesan Soup. If you are serving it for breakfast, a side of fresh fruit is a perfect complement.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
One of the best things about this pie is how well it keeps. To store, allow the pie to cool completely, then cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
To reheat, you can warm individual slices in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or place the entire pie in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. The oven method is best for maintaining a crispy crust.
Frequently Asked Questions About Monterey Sausage Pie
Yes, absolutely! You can assemble the entire pie a day in advance, cover it, and store it in the refrigerator. Just add about 10-15 minutes to the baking time when you cook it straight from the fridge. You can also bake it completely and reheat it when ready to serve.
Yes. To make a lower-carb, crustless version, simply omit the pie crust. Grease your pie dish thoroughly and pour the filling directly inside. Bake as directed, but start checking for doneness about 5-10 minutes earlier as it may cook faster.
Of course! While Monterey Jack provides a great melt and mild flavor, this recipe is very forgiving. Sharp cheddar, Colby, or a spicy Pepper Jack would all be delicious substitutes or additions.
Store leftover pie tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For reheating, the oven or toaster oven at 350°F (175°C) is best to keep the crust crisp. You can also use the microwave for a quicker option.
This pie is very versatile. For dinner, pair it with a simple green salad or roasted vegetables. For breakfast or brunch, a side of fresh fruit or hash browns works wonderfully.
More Savory Recipes You’ll Enjoy
If you enjoyed this recipe, you’re sure to love some of our other savory favorites. For another fantastic weeknight dinner, try our Sausage and Pepper Pasta.
We hope you love making and sharing this delicious Monterey Sausage Pie. It’s a recipe built on simple ingredients and comforting flavors, destined to become a staple in your kitchen. If you make it, please leave a comment below and share your creation on Pinterest!
Monterey Sausage Pie Recipe
Monterey Sausage Pie: A Cheesy, Savory Delight
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Press the pie crust into a 9-inch pie dish and flute the edges.
- In a large skillet, cook the sausage over medium-high heat until browned. Drain excess grease. Add the onion and bell pepper and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Spread the sausage mixture evenly in the bottom of the pie crust. Top with the shredded Monterey Jack cheese.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until smooth.
- Pour the egg mixture over the cheese and sausage. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the center is set and the top is golden brown.
- Let the pie cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing to allow the filling to set.
Notes
If the top browns too quickly, cover it loosely with foil for the last 10 minutes of baking.
