Vegetable Pasties (Super Easy Cheesy Vegetarian Recipe)

Updated: April 2026

These super quick vegetable pasties are an easy vegetarian pasty recipe made with potatoes, peas and Cheddar cheese wrapped in golden pastry.

They’re filled with potatoes, onion, peas and mature Cheddar cheese, all wrapped in golden, flaky shortcrust pastry. The filling is simple, comforting and full of flavour, making these pasties perfect for:

• packed lunches
• picnic food
• easy family dinners
• quick vegetarian meals

Using ready-made pastry keeps this recipe quick and foolproof, so you get delicious homemade pasties with very little effort.

These easy vegetable pasties take around 50 minutes from start to finish, and they’re just as good warm from the oven as they are cold for lunch the next day.

What Are Vegetable Pasties?

Vegetable pasties are savoury pastry parcels filled with vegetables and baked until golden and crisp.

Traditional Cornish pasties are filled with beef, potato, onion and swede, but vegetarian pasties use vegetable fillings instead.

This version is a simple cheese and vegetable filling, made with potatoes, peas, onion and Cheddar cheese for a comforting flavour the whole family will enjoy.

Why You’ll Love These Vegetable Pasties

These homemade pasties are a brilliant recipe to keep in your regular rotation.

• Easy to make using ready-rolled pastry
• Budget friendly ingredients
• Great for packed lunches and picnics
• Perfect vegetarian comfort food
• Freezer friendly filling
• A family-friendly recipe kids love

Ingredients For Vegetable Pasties

These easy vegetarian pasties are made using simple everyday ingredients.

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, finely diced
• 4 potatoes, peeled and cut into 1cm cubes
• 150g frozen peas
• 200ml hot vegetable stock
• 150g mature Cheddar cheese, grated
• 500g shortcrust pastry (ready rolled)
• 1 egg, beaten (for glazing)
• salt and pepper to taste

Ingredient Tips

Potatoes

Floury potatoes like Maris Piper or King Edward work best because they soften nicely in the filling.

Cheddar Cheese

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

• Red Leicester
• Lancashire cheese
• Mild Cheddar

Pastry

Ready-rolled shortcrust pastry keeps this recipe quick and easy, but you can make your own pastry if you prefer.

Equipment Needed

You only need basic kitchen equipment.

• chopping board
• sharp knife
• large saucepan with lid
• measuring jug
• frying pan
• baking tray
• rolling pin
• pastry brush
• fork
• grater

How To Make Vegetable Pasties

These homemade vegetarian pasties are surprisingly simple to make.

Step 1 – Preheat The Oven

Preheat the oven to 200°C / 400°F / Gas Mark 6.

Line a baking tray with baking paper so the pasties don’t stick while baking.

Step 2 – Cook The Vegetable Filling

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

Add the diced onion and cook for around 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion has softened.

Add the diced potatoes and stir well so they coat in the oil.

Cook for 2–3 minutes, then pour in the hot vegetable stock.

Place the lid on the pan and cook gently for about 10 minutes, until the potatoes begin to soften.

Add the frozen peas and continue cooking for another 5 minutes.

Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the grated Cheddar cheese.

Season with salt and pepper to taste, then leave the filling to cool slightly before assembling the pasties.

Step 3 – Cut Out The Pastry

Roll out the shortcrust pastry on a lightly floured surface.

Use a saucer or small plate as a guide to cut out six pastry circles.

Step 4 – Fill The Pasties

Place a spoonful of the vegetable filling onto one half of each pastry circle, leaving a small border around the edges.

Brush the edges lightly with the beaten egg.

Fold the pastry over the filling to create a half-moon shape.

Press the edges together and crimp using a fork to seal the pasties.

Transfer the pasties onto the prepared baking tray.

Step 5 – Bake The Pasties

Brush the tops of the pasties with the remaining beaten egg.

Bake in the oven for around 20 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and crisp.

Allow the pasties to cool for a few minutes before serving.

Vegetable Pasties Cooking Time

• Oven temperature: 200°C / 400°F
• Baking time: 20 minutes
• Total recipe time: 50 minutes

Expert Tips For The Best Vegetable Pasties

Let The Filling Cool

Warm filling can soften the pastry and make it harder to seal the pasties properly.

Don’t Overfill The Pastry

Too much filling can cause the pastry to split during baking.

Crimp The Edges Well

Sealing the edges properly helps keep the filling inside while baking.

Use Leftover Pastry

Any leftover pastry can be used to make small jam tarts or pastry shapes.

Can You Freeze Vegetable Pasties?

Yes, these pasties freeze well.

You can freeze them either before or after baking.

To freeze before baking:

• assemble the pasties
• freeze on a tray
• store in a freezer bag

Bake from frozen, adding an extra 5–10 minutes to the cooking time.

What To Serve With Vegetable Pasties

Pasties are a complete meal on their own, but they’re also great served with simple sides.

Fresh Salads

• green salad
• watercress salad
• rocket salad
• coleslaw

Comfort Food Sides

• creamy mashed potatoes
• baked beans
• potato salad

Picnic Food

Vegetable pasties are perfect picnic food alongside:

• sandwiches
• savoury snacks
• fresh fruit
• homemade cakes

Explore More Lunch Recipes

If you enjoy easy lunch recipes like these pasties, explore our collection of simple family lunches.

You’ll find ideas including:

• quick lunch recipes
• picnic food ideas
• packed lunch recipes
• easy family meals