Easy Cheese And Onion Pie Recipe (Classic British Puff Pastry Pie)

Updated: April 2026

This easy cheese and onion pie is a classic British comfort food recipe made with creamy potatoes, sweet onions and melted cheddar cheese wrapped in golden puff pastry.

It’s one of those simple savoury pies that’s perfect for a quick family dinner, picnic food, lunch or a relaxed weekend meal. Using ready-made puff pastry makes this cheese and onion pie recipe incredibly easy to prepare while still tasting homemade and delicious.

The cheesy potato filling is rich and satisfying, while the buttery puff pastry bakes up crisp and golden in the oven. Serve your cheese and onion pie with salad and chutney for a light meal, or with mashed potatoes and baked beans for a proper old-school comfort dinner.

If you love easy savoury pies and comforting vegetarian meals, this cheese and onion pie recipe is one you’ll come back to again and again.

homemade cheese and onion pie on a wooden board next to a pot of ploughman's chutney and bowl of salad

Quick Answer: What Is Cheese And Onion Pie?

Cheese and onion pie is a traditional British savoury pie made with potatoes, onions and cheddar cheese wrapped in pastry and baked until golden. It’s a popular vegetarian comfort food often served with salad, chutney, mashed potatoes or baked beans.

Why You’ll Love This Cheese And Onion Pie

Super easy recipe using ready-made puff pastry
Classic British vegetarian comfort food
Perfect for dinner, lunch or picnics
Made with simple everyday ingredients
Crispy golden pastry with a creamy filling
Great served hot or cold

Why This Cheese And Onion Pie Works

This recipe works so well because the potatoes create a soft creamy filling that blends perfectly with the melted cheese, while the onions add sweetness and flavour.

Cooking the onions first helps soften them and bring out their natural sweetness, and using puff pastry creates a crisp, golden crust that contrasts beautifully with the cheesy potato filling.

The result is a simple but incredibly satisfying savoury pie that’s perfect for family meals.

Ingredients For Cheese And Onion Pie

This easy cheese and onion pie uses just a handful of simple ingredients.

cheese and onion pie ingredients on a white table - puff pastry, onions, cubed potatoes, grated cheese, beaten egg, olive oil

Main Ingredients

1 medium potato, peeled and diced into small cubes
320g ready-rolled puff pastry sheet
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, diced
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 teaspoon fresh rosemary leaves, chopped
150g Cheddar cheese, grated
1 egg, beaten
salt and black pepper

Ingredient Tips

Potatoes

Use a floury potato such as Maris Piper or King Edward for the best soft filling.

Cheese

Mature cheddar gives the best flavour, but you can also use:

Red Leicester
Gruyère
Lancashire cheese
a mix of different cheeses

Pastry

Ready-rolled puff pastry makes this recipe very easy, but you can also use:

shortcrust pastry
homemade puff pastry
gluten free pastry

Ingredient Swaps And Add-Ins

One of the best things about cheese and onion pie is how easy it is to customise.

Add Extra Ingredients

You can add extra ingredients to the filling such as:

fried mushrooms
bacon pieces
sweet peppers
baked beans

Change The Herbs

Instead of rosemary you can use:

thyme
mixed herbs
chives

Make It Extra Cheesy

Try adding a mix of cheeses for extra flavour.

Cheddar and mozzarella is a great combination.

How To Make Cheese And Onion Pie

This simple puff pastry pie is very easy to prepare.

Step 1 – Cook The Potatoes

Place the diced potato cubes into a saucepan of cold salted water.

Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until just tender.

Drain and set aside.

cheese and onion pie filling cooking in a frying pan

Step 2 – Fry The Onions

Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over a medium heat.

Add the onion, garlic and rosemary and cook gently for around 6 to 7 minutes until softened.

Step 3 – Make The Pie Filling

Add the cooked potatoes to the onion mixture and stir gently to combine.

Season with salt and black pepper.

sheet of puff pastry with cheese and onion pie filling laid down the middle

Step 4 – Prepare The Pastry

Preheat the oven to:

200°C / 400°F / Gas Mark 6

Lay a sheet of greaseproof paper on a baking tray.

Unroll the puff pastry onto the baking tray.

Using a sharp knife, cut diagonal strips along each side of the pastry, leaving a strip down the middle where the filling will go.

Step 5 – Add The Filling

Sprinkle half the grated cheese along the middle of the pastry.

Top with the potato and onion mixture.

Finish with the remaining grated cheese.

Step 6 – Wrap The Pastry

Brush the pastry edges with beaten egg.

Fold the pastry strips over the filling in a criss-cross pattern, tucking the ends underneath.

Brush the entire pie with egg wash.

Step 7 – Bake The Pie

Bake in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes until the pastry is golden brown and crisp.

Leave to cool slightly before slicing.

homemade cheese and onion pie on a wooden serving board next to a pot of Ploughman's chutney

What To Serve With Cheese And Onion Pie

Cheese and onion pie is delicious served with simple sides.

Popular options include:

green salad
ploughman’s chutney
potato salad
baked beans
mashed potatoes
Coleslaw

Expert Tips For The Best Cheese And Onion Pie

Don’t Overfill The Pastry

Too much filling can cause the pie to burst open during baking.

Cook The Onions Slowly

Cooking the onions gently helps develop sweetness and flavour.

Let The Pie Rest

Allowing the pie to rest for a few minutes after baking makes it easier to slice.

Serve It Cold

Cheese and onion pie is also delicious served cold, which makes it perfect for picnics or packed lunches.

Variations

Cheese And Onion Potato Pie

Mash the potatoes instead of cubing them for a smoother filling.

Cheese, Onion And Bacon Pie

Add cooked bacon pieces for a smoky twist.

Cheese And Onion Shortcrust Pie

Use shortcrust pastry instead of puff pastry for a more traditional pie base.

Storage, Freezing And Reheating

How To Store Cheese And Onion Pie

Store leftover pie in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Can You Freeze Cheese And Onion Pie?

Yes. Cheese and onion pie freezes well for up to 3 months.

Wrap the pie well and freeze once cooled.

How To Reheat Cheese And Onion Pie

Reheat slices in the oven at 180°C until hot throughout.

You can also eat leftover cheese and onion pie cold.

More Easy Pie Recipes

If you enjoy savoury pies, try these recipes too:

More Easy Vegetarian Recipes

If you’re looking for more vegetarian dinner ideas, try:

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Can I make cheese and onion pie in advance?

Yes. You can prepare the filling and assemble the pie ahead of time, then store it in the fridge until ready to bake.

Can cheese and onion pie be eaten cold?

Yes. Cheese and onion pie tastes great cold, which makes it perfect for picnics or packed lunches.

What cheese is best for cheese and onion pie?

Mature cheddar is the most popular choice because it gives a strong cheesy flavour, but Red Leicester or Lancashire cheese also work well.

Can I freeze cheese and onion pie?

Yes. Cheese and onion pie freezes well for up to three months. Defrost fully before reheating.

What pastry is best for cheese and onion pie?

Puff pastry creates a light crispy pie, while shortcrust pastry gives a more traditional pie texture.