Sweet Italian Rice Pie

4.6
(19)
17 Reviews
2 Photos

This sweet rice pie, or pastiera di riso, is a traditional Italian dessert served at Easter but this recipe is so good, that I make it more than once a year!

Submitted by Michele O'Sullivan
Updated on February 19, 2024
Prep Time:
50 mins
Cook Time:
1 hr 30 mins
Total Time:
2 hrs 20 mins
Servings:
16
Yield:
2 (10-inch) pies
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 16 servings

Crust

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 tablespoon baking powder

  • ½ cup white sugar

  • ¼ cup butter

  • 3 large eggs

  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Filling

  • 1 cup water

  • ½ cup uncooked white rice

  • 1 quart milk

  • 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese

  • 1 ½ cups white sugar

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

  • 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest

  • 6 large eggs

Directions

  1. Stir flour and baking powder together in a bowl; set aside. Beat 1/2 cup sugar and butter together in a separate large bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in 3 eggs, one at a time, until combined; stir in vanilla. Gradually beat in flour mixture to make a soft dough. Divide dough in half and shape into two balls. Working on a lightly floured surface, roll out each ball to fit two 10-inch pie plates. Line the pie plates with crust, and refrigerate until needed.

  2. Bring water to a boil in a saucepan; stir in rice. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 20 minutes. Stir in milk and continue cooking, stirring frequently, until mixture thickens. Set aside to cool.

  3. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

  4. Meanwhile, beat ricotta cheese, 1 ½ cups sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and 6 eggs together in a mixing bowl until smooth and frothy. Stir in cooled rice mixture until evenly blended; pour into pie shells.

  5. Bake pies in the preheated oven until filling is set and tops are golden brown, about 90 minutes. Cool on racks.

28 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

323 Calories
9g Fat
49g Carbs
11g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 16
Calories 323
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 9g 12%
Saturated Fat 5g 24%
Cholesterol 125mg 42%
Sodium 182mg 8%
Total Carbohydrate 49g 18%
Dietary Fiber 1g 2%
Total Sugars 28g
Protein 11g 22%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 200mg 15%
Iron 2mg 11%
Potassium 194mg 4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.