15 Ways to Hack Puff Pastry for Easy Dinners

Posted by Brent Furdyk on November 1, 2017

If dinner time is looming and you're looking to break free from the tried and true, then unleash the hidden power of puff pastry. While it is a treat to make it from scratch, the frozen version can be a dinner winner on busy weeknights. From quick, fresh pizza to pasta pie, these 10 brilliant recipes that use it in some deliciously unexpected ways.

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Puff Pastry-Wrapped Angel Hair Pasta Pie

This deep-dish Italian pie conceals a hidden surprise inside: angel-hair pasta, combined with spicy Italian sausage, tomato sauce, spinach and melted mozzarella cheese. Make it once and it’s guaranteed to become a family favourite! Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/puff-pastry-wrapped-angel-hair-pasta-pie/20872/" target="_blank">Puff Pastry-Wrapped Angel Hair Pasta Pie</a>
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Puff Pastry Pizza

A favourite of The Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond, nothing could be simpler — or more sensationally satisfying — than substituting puff pastry for dough with this pizza-inspired entrée that can be topped with your favourite meats, cheeses and veggies. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/puff-pastry-pizza/20677/" target="_blank">The Pioneer Woman’s Puff Pastry Pizza</a>
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Braided Cheeseburger Mac ‘n’ Cheese Roll

Imagine two comfort-food classics melded together, blending macaroni noodles, beef, Cheddar cheese and spinach, within flaky, golden-grown puff-pastry and you’ve got a spectacular meal that’s sure to become a dinner-table favourite. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/great-canadian-cookbook/blog/scrumptious-braided-cheeseburger-mac-n-cheese-roll/" target="_blank">Braided Cheeseburger Mac ‘n’ Cheese Roll</a>
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Mini Breakfast Strata

These hand-held brunch bites are perfect for noshing while mingling, and filled with a crowd-pleasing selection of fresh vegetables, ham and cheese atop flaky rounds of puff pastry. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/mini-breakfast-strata/15159/" target="_blank">Mini Breakfast Strata</a>
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Fig and Onion Pizza

Christine Cushing offers this clever take on Pissaladiere, a traditional favourite from the south of France. Using puff pastry instead of pizza dough results in a fluffy, flaky crust, topped with a sweet-and-savoury combo of figs, onions, thyme, olives and blue cheese. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/fig-and-onion-pizza/4610/" target="_blank">Christine Cushing’s Fig and Onion Pizza</a>
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15-Minute Chicken Pot Pie

If you want hearty chicken pot pie but without the time and effort it takes to make homemade puff pastry, try this easy recipe using store-bought puff pastry that's cooked until crisp, and placed on top of a creamy pot pie filling. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/15-minute-chicken-pot-pie/18070/" target="_blank">15-Minute Chicken Pot Pie</a>
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Curry Chicken Pot Pie

Forget pot pies that take hours to assemble — this quickened-up recipe employs store-bought puff pastry, cooked chicken (use up those leftovers) and tons of frozen veggies. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/curry-chicken-pot-pie/15930/" target="_blank">Alton Brown's Curry Chicken Pot Pie</a>
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Puff Pastry Pepperoni Pizza Roll

Puff pastry is substituted for pizza dough in this unique recipe for a pizza-inspired dish that makes an ideal appetizer or dinner dish in its own right, bursting with zesty pepperoni and salami, gooey mozzarella with some chopped banana peppers and red pepper flakes adding extra heat. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/puff-pastry-pepperoni-pizza-roll-3364337/" target="_blank">Puff Pastry Pepperoni Pizza Roll</a>
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Balsamic, Burrata & Roasted Tomato Tarts

The balsamic and burrata tart is like a pizza-fide version of an antipasto plate, splashed with a hint of tart balsamic and nestled on a bed of buttery puff pastry. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/savory-crostata/17262/" target="_blank">Balsamic, Burrata & Roasted Tomato Tarts</a>
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Filet Mignon with Mushroom, Leek Puffs and Roasted Root Vegetables

This hearty offering from Ricardo combines roasted root vegetables with tender filet mignon, with the addition of a savoury leek puffs made from sliced leeks and puff pastry. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/filet-mignon-with-mushroom-leek-puffs-and-roasted-root-vegetables/10516/" target="_blank">Ricardo’s Filet Mignon with Mushroom, Leek Puffs and Roasted Root Vegetables</a>
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Vegetable Samosas

Ricardo serves up his own unique take on this classic Indian dish, with flaky puff pastry surrounding a mouth-watering filling of eggplant, potato, peas and apricots, with some finely chopped jalapeno peppers turning up the heat. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/ricardos-vegetable-samosas/10235/" target="_blank">Ricardo’s Vegetable Samosas</a>
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Vegetarian Tourtière

Get the general flavours of a traditional tourtière with flaky puff pastry stretched over a mix of savoury vegetables and pulses, such as cremini mushrooms and brown lentils. Top it with sweet tomato chili sauce or a tomato chutney for a sweet/tart contrast. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/vegetarian-tourtiere-bake/14043/" target="_blank">Vegetarian Tourtière Bake</a>
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Easy Ramekin Tourtières

These mini versions of a French Canadian classic get served up in puff pastry-topped ramekins. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/baking/blog/how-to-make-easy-ramekin-tourtieres-34115/" target="_blank">Easy Ramekin Tourtières</a>
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Pesto Goat Cheese Croissants

It’s a rare dish that manages to be kid-friendly yet sophisticated, while also being surprisingly easy to make. These pesto-and-goat-cheese croissants using puff pastry definitely check all the boxes when it comes to a terrific dinner or lunchtime solution that’s guaranteed to be a hit with the whole family. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/cooking-with-kids/blog/family-fun-pesto-goat-cheese-croissants-1643/" target="_blank">Pesto Goat Cheese Croissants</a>
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Creamy Chicken and Mushroom One-Pot with Pot Pie Toppers

With total prep time of just 15 minutes, flaky puff pastry tops Rachael Ray’s quick, easy-to-make variation on a chicken pot pie, chock full of juicy chicken chunks, button mushroom, hearty parsnips, baby potatoes and more — comfort food the whole family will love! Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/great-canadian-cookbook/blog/scrumptious-braided-cheeseburger-mac-n-cheese-roll/" target="_blank">Creamy Chicken and Mushroom One-Pot with Pot Pie Toppers</a>
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