Name: Leftover Vegetable Christmas Pie
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 onion, finely chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 400g mixed leftover roasted vegetables (parsnips, carrots, Brussels sprouts, potatoes); 100g cooked greens (like kale or cabbage), chopped; 1 teaspoon dried thyme; 1 teaspoon mustard; 2 tablespoons plain flour; 200ml vegetable stock; 150ml double cream; Salt and pepper to taste; 1 sheet puff pastry; 1 egg, beaten (for glazing)

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Table of Contents: Leftover Vegetable Christmas Pie

Leftover Vegetable Christmas Pie

Tired of seeing delicious Christmas leftovers go to waste? This Leftover Vegetable Christmas Pie is the elegant, earthy answer to your holiday kitchen conundrum. Whether you’re 40 or 70+, there’s something deeply satisfying about turning yesterday’s carrots, sprouts, and potatoes into today’s golden, flaky, spice-kissed masterpiece. It’s not just a meal—it’s a tradition in the making.

Introduction: Leftover Vegetable Christmas Pie

There’s magic in the quiet days after Christmas. The tree still glimmers, relatives have departed, and the fridge hums with forgotten roast potatoes, buttered Brussels sprouts, and half a pan of roasted root vegetables. Instead of trudging through tasteless leftovers, why not elevate them into something even better than the original feast? That’s exactly what this Leftover Vegetable Christmas Pie delivers: a rich, savory, deeply satisfying Savory Christmas Pie wrapped in golden puff pastry and seasoned with warm, festive spices.

This isn’t your average leftover hack. It’s a Holiday Vegetable Bake with soul—layered with depth, umami, and a golden crust that shatters with every bite. Perfect for Boxing Day brunch, a cozy Sunday supper, or a no-stress Wednesday dinner when you want comfort without the fuss. Whether you’re hosting a small family gathering or simply treating yourself after the holiday rush, this pie turns what’s left into something that feels designed. Plus, it’s vegan, easy to adapt, and a brilliant way to teach kids (or guests) that nothing in the kitchen has to go to waste.

And the best part? It’s foolproof. No precision needed—just a love for bold flavors and a desire to create something beautiful from what’s already on hand.

Alternate Names & Variations

– Roast Vegetable Holiday Pie
– Christmas Leftover Frittata Bake (for egg-inclusive versions)
– Savory Christmas Pie with Warm Spices
– Vegetable Gravy Enchilada Casserole (when inspired by Mexican flavors)
– Holiday Vegetable Bake with Miso Umami Boost

Looking for a lighter twist? Try the “Skinny Leftover Pie” using phyllo dough instead of puff pastry. Or lean into global flavors by replacing cumin with paprika and miso with harissa for a Mediterranean spin.

Ingredients: Leftover Vegetable Christmas Pie

– 2 medium yellow onions, finely diced
– 3 garlic cloves, minced
– 2 dried bay leaves
– 1 tsp ground cumin (toasted in a dry pan for 30 seconds for deeper flavor)
– ½ tsp ground cinnamon (true Ceylon cinnamon preferred)
– 400 g (about 1¾ cups) mix of leftover cooked vegetables (e.g., roasted potatoes, carrots, parsnips, sprouts, green beans, or sweet potatoes—any hearty variety works)

– 1 tbsp all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend)
– 1 tbsp double-concentrated tomato puree
– 1 tsp white or yellow miso paste (adds savory umami without being ‘fishy’)
– 400 ml leftover vegetable gravy or high-quality vegetable stock (preferably unsalted)

– Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
– 2 ready-rolled puff pastry sheets (store-bought for convenience, vegan-friendly option recommended)
– 2–3 tbsp unsweetened non-dairy milk (oat, almond, or soy) for brushing

Note: The beauty of this recipe lies in flexibility—swap, blend, and reinvent based on what’s in your fridge.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat & Prepare: Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F). Lightly oil a 23cm (9-inch) deep pie dish. Set aside.

2. Sauté Aromatics: Heat 1 tbsp oil (or water, if oil-free) over medium heat. Add diced onions and two bay leaves. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes until deeply golden and caramelized. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute—don’t let it burn!

3. Build Flavor Base: Stir in ground cumin and cinnamon. Toast for 30 seconds to awaken the oils. Add flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to form a light roux.

4. Thicken the Filling: Stir in tomato puree and miso paste. Cook for 1–2 minutes to deepen color. Gradually pour in vegetable gravy or stock, stirring to avoid lumps. Simmer for 5–7 minutes until thickened and glossy.

5. Add Leftover Veg: Gently fold in your 400g mixture of cooked leftover vegetables. Break down any large chunks (like whole potatoes) for even distribution. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Remove bay leaves. Let cool slightly—this prevents the pastry from melting too early.

6. Assemble the Pie: Unroll one puff pastry sheet and use it to line the base and sides of your pie dish. Trim excess, leaving about 2cm overhang. Pour in the vegetable filling.

7. Top & Seal: Place the second pastry sheet on top. Crimp edges with a fork or fold over under the base pastry for a rustic look. Cut 2–3 small slits on top for steam to escape. Brush generously with non-dairy milk for a golden, shiny crust.

8. Bake to Perfection: Bake for 25–30 minutes until puff pastry is puffed, deep golden-brown, and crisp. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving—this helps the filling set.

9. Serve & Savor: Slice thick wedges. Garnish with fresh thyme, rosemary, or microgreens. Best served with a green salad or extra gravy on the side.

Chef Tip: For a decorative touch, score the top pastry with a knife in a geometric pattern before baking. Or use cut-out leaf shapes from excess pastry for festive appeal.

Recipe Card Block (Quick Reference)

This Leftover Vegetable Christmas Pie takes 15 minutes of prep, 30 minutes baking time, and serves 4 people comfortably. Total time: 45 minutes. Packed with seasonal flavor and plant-based nutrients, each serving contains approximately 420 calories, 19g fat, 55g carbohydrates, 7g fiber, and 10g protein. A hearty, wholesome Savory Christmas Pie perfect for any holiday transition meal.

Why This Recipe Works & Expert Tips

What makes this Holiday Vegetable Bake stand out isn’t just its clever use of leftovers—it’s the layered depth of flavor. The combination of toasted cumin and cinnamon adds a warm, earthy complexity rarely seen in vegetable pies. The miso paste brings savory, meaty richness without any animal products, while the tomato puree and gravy create a glossy, clinging sauce that holds everything together.

This is easy comfort food for family dinners, built on a foundation of what you already have. No special ingredients. No fussy steps. Just a smart, soulful way to reduce waste and amplify flavor. For best results, slightly undercook your filling before baking—it will finish in the oven without turning soggy. And don’t skip the non-dairy milk wash—it’s the secret to that bakery-style golden crust.

Perfect for vegetarian holiday leftovers dinner, Boxing Day pie, or even a vegan Christmas buffet item. It’s elegant enough for company, cozy enough for just you and a glass of red.

Storage, Freezing, and Reheating Tips

This Christmas Leftover Pie stores beautifully. Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. For freezing (Can you freeze Christmas leftover pie?), wrap cooled whole pie or individual slices tightly in parchment and foil, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.

To reheat: Place in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 15–20 minutes (from chilled) or 30–35 minutes (from frozen). Avoid reheating in the microwave if you want to preserve the flaky crust. For added crispness, broil for 1–2 minutes at the end.

These tips make it ideal for meal prep after the holidays or a comforting weeknight savory snack. Just like the original feast, your pie gets better with time—deep flavors meld overnight!

Conclusion: Leftover Vegetable Christmas Pie

This Leftover Vegetable Christmas Pie is more than a recipe—it’s a promise to never waste flavor. It’s a hug on a plate, a story of transformation, and a quiet celebration of abundance. Whether you’re serving it to family, sharing slices with neighbors, or enjoying it solo with a book and a blanket, it honors the holiday season in the most meaningful way: with care, creativity, and comfort.

We’d love to hear how yours turns out! Snap a photo, tag us on Facebook or Pinterest, and let us know what veggies you included. Your version could inspire someone else to turn their leftovers into a Savory Christmas Pie masterpiece.

Happy baking, and happy belated Christmas!