Flaky puff pastry with Dijon mustard, ham, swiss, caramelized onions, and a garlic-herb egg wash. This Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Slab Pie is great for Game Day, a casual brunch, or using leftover holiday ham.
I’ve been having a lot of fun looking through some of my mother’s old recipe books from the 70’s and early-80’s. Some of the recipes have made both of us chuckle a bit, but many have given me inspiration for some reinvented dishes.
This delicious Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Slab Pie evolved from a recipe my mother clipped around 1980.
In this reimagined retro recipe, I layer buttery, flaky puff pastry with Dijon mustard, thinly-sliced ham, shredded Swiss cheese, and caramelized onions. Baked until puffed and golden, the ham and cheese puff pastry makes a pretty, yet rustic presentation. It’s perfect for casual gatherings with friends.
The Retro Version of Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry
The recipe that this slab pie originated from was called “Greek Pizza,” though neither my mother nor I quite understands the name, because there’s really nothing “Greek” about it. (It’s much closer to a French ham and cheese pastry called, “Feuilleté Au Jambon”.)
The original “Greek Pizza” was a very rich bite (an understatement), calling for both a full pound of ham and a pound of cheese layered between two squares of mustard-brushed puff pastry. (Yikes!) The concept was good, but when it baked up, it was salty and soggy, and the overall feel was so heavy, I could barely manage more than a bite or two.
“This needs less cheese” aren’t words I speak often, but there was truly way too much of everything in the original pie.
Reinventing the Recipe: Ham and Cheese Slab Pie
When my mother and I decided to start tweaking the recipe, the first thing I did was dial back the ham and cheese quantities significantly, which lightened the texture. My mother had the great suggestion of adding caramelized onions and herbs for a touch of sweetness and freshness. (Thanks, Mom!)
In terms of cheese, I really wanted a Swiss variety that wouldn’t be too strong, throw too much oil, or become overly gooey and messy when it melted. (To avoid sogginess in a puff pastry dish like this, balance is key.)
I’ve made this with both Gruyère and Emmental. The former brings a more assertive, slightly saltier flavor to the baked pastry. While I love Grueyère, I found it richness to be a bit too heavy when baked with the other components of this recipe. Emmental is milder with a meltier texture, and is my favorite for this ham and cheese puff pastry.
Ever wonder about the holes in Swiss cheese? Check out, How Does Swiss Cheese Get its Holes? From The New Yorker.
If there’s one step I wouldn’t skip in the recipe, it’s cutting the slits in the top of the pie before baking. The steam needs to escape for all of those flaky layers in the pastry to puff properly.
Serving Ham and Cheese in Puff Pastry
We most enjoy this slab pie after it’s allowed to cool for about 10 minutes, so that the butter in the puff pastry has a chance to settle and the flavors can meld a bit. With the fillings, I find that it can be a little too messy to slice and serve cleanly right out of the oven.
The pastry can be cut and served as either strips or squares, depending on the occasion and your guests. If you’re serving it as an appetizer with other dishes, small squares are great. For a casual lunch or brunch, I tend to cut larger strips or rectangles and serve them with lightly-dressed spring greens.
That said, I do like to serve this puff pastry slab pie while it’s still warm. I don’t find that it reheats well (it’s hard to regain the same flakiness in the puff pastry with the fillings), so it’s not a recipe that I bake in advance.
Since we were able to bring this oldie but goodie into 2018, I might be feeling inspired to throw on a pair of scrunch socks with my leggings and really party like it’s 1980. I promise to spare you the pics!
More Savory Puff Pastry Recipes for Casual Entertaining
- Holiday Leftovers Breakfast Puff Pastry Tart (I Just Make Sandwiches)
- Savory Palmiers (Striped Spatula)
- Sweet and Savory Cheesy Bacon Wrapped Puff Pastry Twist (Half Baked Harvest)
- Jalapeno and Smoked Gouda Puff Pastry Pinwheels (Sweet Peas and Saffron)
Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Slab Pie
Ingredients
- 2 sheets puff pastry , defrosted and rolled into 10-inch squares
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (Smooth or grainy, your preference)
- 6 ounces shredded Emmental swiss cheese
- 4 ounces thinly-sliced ham (I use Black Forest or Virginia)
- 1/3 cup caramelized onions
- 1 teaspoon chopped thyme leaves
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place one piece of puff pastry onto the baking sheet and spread with mustard, leaving a 1/2-inch border.
- Sprinkle half of the shredded cheese over the mustard. Layer ham slices over the cheese, followed by the caramelized onions, thyme, and remaining cheese.
- In a small bowl, whisk together egg, milk, garlic powder, and parsley.
- Lightly brush the border of the puff pastry with the egg wash. Place the second square of puff pastry over the top and press the edges to seal.
- Brush a 1/2-inch border on the top sheet of puff pastry with egg wash. Fold bottom edge of puff pastry over to create a crust of double thickness. Crimp edges with a fork.
- Brush top of puff pastry with egg mixture (you won't use the entire amount). Cut three, 1- to 2-inch slits in the center of the pie to allow steam to escape while baking.
- Bake for 25 minutes, until puffed and golden. Let stand for 10 minutes before slicing into squares or strips and serving.
Video
Notes
Variations:
- Substitute Cheddar or Jack cheeses for the Emmental. Or use a mix!
- Substitute Honey Mustard for the Dijon
- Instead of ham, try thinly-sliced roast beef with cream-style horseradish instead of mustard.
Nutrition Estimate
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
About our recipes
Please note that our recipes have been developed using the US Customary measurement system and have not been tested for high altitude/elevation cooking and baking.
Originally Published February 2, 2016. Updated with new photos and video in 2018.
I’ve made this twice and it’s been gobbled up by the family. I used honey roast ham for a sweet twist. Thanks for the recipe!
This recipe is amazing! I liberally sprinkled Parmesan grated cheese on the top after brushing it with the egg/milk mixture. I probably would leave off the thyme next time – just a personal preference. I printed this recipe an included it with my favorite recipes and will definitely make it again.
My family love this! We used honey mustard, black forest ham, and Swiss cheese. We also added cremini mushrooms that had been fried in butter until they were somewhat dried out and brown. Awesome!
I made this for dinner along with a side of potato salad. It was delicious and easy. I will be making this again. Thanks for sharing this yummy recipe!
IT’S LITERALLY A GIANT HAM AND CHEESE CROISSANT I’M DYING
Years ago I worked in a bakery and would get to eat ham and cheese croissants fresh out of the oven when I got there at 5:30am to open up the shop… It was a rare gastronomic pleasure. I feel like this recipe would be like eating a GIANT one of those croissants at home where I can shove it in my face without anyone watching.
This a review is life. Love this recipe too!
UM, hello? Why is this the first time I’m hearing of this pie. Gor-geous! and filled with everything I like. This would be great to serve around the holidays!
Looks great for dinner! I just wonder if it’s gonna fare well as leftovers. I like bringing leftovers to work the next day for lunch.
How fun to look at old recipes like that! I love my Mom’s old cookbooks, too. This recipe looks good, especially the herb eggwash! I’ve never seen that before.
I can’t wait to try this! The croque monsieur is my favorite sandwich and this is a great variation!