Layered Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Pot Pie with Whipped Garlic Feta & Spicy Pecan Crust
A rich and comforting savory pot pie featuring creamy layers of sweet potato and pumpkin, topped with fluffy whipped garlic feta and finished with a crunchy spicy pecan crust. Perfect for fall dinners, holidays, or meal prep.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients
Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Filling
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced into ¼-inch rounds
- 2 cups pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp ground sage
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp chili flakes (optional)
- ½ cup vegetable broth
- ½ cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Whipped Garlic Feta
- 7 oz (200 g) feta cheese
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp cream cheese
- 2 roasted garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- Black pepper to taste
Spicy Pecan Crust
- 1 cup finely chopped pecans
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Pinch of salt
Garnish
- Fresh parsley
- Chopped chives
- Cracked black pepper
- Chili flakes (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Sweet Potatoes
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Toss sweet potato slices with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Roast for 20 minutes, flipping halfway.
Step 2: Make the Pumpkin Filling
- Heat olive oil in a skillet.
- Cook onion for 5 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
- Stir in pumpkin puree.
- Add broth, cream, thyme, sage, paprika, salt, pepper, and chili flakes.
- Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted.
Step 3: Make the Whipped Garlic Feta
Blend together:
- Feta
- Greek yogurt
- Cream cheese
- Roasted garlic
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
Blend until smooth and fluffy.
Step 4: Prepare the Spicy Pecan Crust
Mix together:
- Pecans
- Breadcrumbs
- Butter
- Olive oil
- Cayenne
- Garlic powder
- Smoked paprika
- Salt
Set aside.
Step 5: Assemble the Pot Pie
In a greased 9-inch baking dish:
- Spread a layer of pumpkin filling.
- Add roasted sweet potato slices.
- Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used.
- Spread whipped garlic feta evenly on top.
- Sprinkle the spicy pecan crust over the feta.
Step 6: Bake
Bake for 30–35 minutes until:
- The topping is golden brown.
- The filling is bubbling around the edges.
- Pecans are toasted.
Cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Serving Suggestions
- Green salad with lemon vinaigrette
- Garlic roasted broccoli
- Grilled chicken
- Roast turkey
- Herb-crusted salmon
- Cranberry sauce for holiday meals
Storage
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheating: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes or microwave individual portions for 2–3 minutes.
Nutritional Information (Approximate Per Serving)
- Calories: 465
- Protein: 15 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
Nut Information
Contains Nuts: Yes
This recipe contains:
- Pecans (tree nuts)
It also contains:
- Milk (feta, cream cheese, Parmesan, heavy cream, Greek yogurt)
- Wheat (panko breadcrumbs)
Nut-Free Alternative:
Replace the pecans with:
- Toasted sunflower seeds
- Pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
- Extra seasoned panko breadcrumbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes. It is already vegetarian if you use vegetable broth.
Q: Can I make it gluten-free?
Yes. Use certified gluten-free breadcrumbs.
Q: Can I make it ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble the pot pie up to 24 hours in advance, refrigerate, and bake when ready.
Q: Can I use butternut squash instead of pumpkin?
Yes. Roasted and mashed butternut squash works beautifully.
Q: What can I substitute for feta?
Goat cheese, ricotta, or whipped cottage cheese are excellent alternatives.
Q: Can I make it spicy?
Absolutely. Increase the cayenne, chili flakes, or add diced jalapeños to the filling.
Q: How do I know it’s done?
The crust should be golden brown, and the filling should be hot and bubbling around the edges.
Q: Can I add meat?
Yes. Shredded chicken, cooked turkey, Italian sausage, or ground beef pair well with the sweet potato and pumpkin layers.
