Potato, Speck, and Taleggio Pie

Name: Potato, Speck, and Taleggio Pie
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 80 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: Potatoes 2.2 lbs; Speck sliced 5.25 oz; Taleggio cheese 7 oz; Grana Padano PDO cheese 2.1 oz; Fine salt to taste; Extra virgin olive oil to taste; Breadcrumbs to taste

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Difficulty: Easy
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 60 min
Serving: 4
Cost: Low

PRESENTATION

Recipe by
Ivana Ester Marra

This potato tart with speck and taleggio cheese is like bringing the flavors of Northern Italy—seriously, it's a treat—right to your table. Folks from Trentino-Alto Adige and Lombardia really know how to create a dish that's both crispy and melty at the same time. First thing you'll notice? That super golden crust on top. Thanks to the gratinatura—basically just baking until it’s crunchy and bubbling. Underneath that crisp top, you'll find layers of soft potatoes soaking up all the flavor from the speck—a type of cured ham that's smoky but not too much. Taleggio cheese melts right in, making it extra gooey and gives off a deep, rich flavor that'll have you craving another bite. And listen, this isn’t your average savory tart; it’s got a rustic look and serious flavor. Perfect as an appetizer if you want to impress without being all fussy.

It's really fun to see how this Italian tart fits into the food scene up north. People there just love mixing potatoes with meats and cheeses. Compared to a plain potato and cheese tart, this one has more attitude. The bold taste of speck and the creamy, almost buttery taleggio make it shine. Many recipes from the region play with similar ideas—simple ingredients like potatoes with local cheese and meat—but this one really really stands out. The way everything comes together in the oven? So so good. You get a tender bite every time, with just enough saltiness and that hint of woodsy smoked flavor. Around Trentino and Lombardia, a rustic tart like this often appears at family get-togethers. Which is great. It pairs beautifully with a glass of light wine or even a cold beer. The combination of the soft potato base, crispy top, and the way the cheese stretches when you cut a slice makes it feel like comfort food. But with a little Northern Italian twist that keeps things interesting and unique.

How to prepare Potato, Speck, and Taleggio Pie

To prepare the potato, speck, and taleggio pie, boil the potatoes in plenty of water 1, drain them, and peel them while still hot. Slice them about 1/4 inch thick 2. Also, slice the taleggio and then cut it into pieces 3.

Grease the bottom of a 12x8 inch baking dish 4, then sprinkle with breadcrumbs 5. Lay the potato slices forming a compact layer 6.

Salt and sprinkle with grated Grana Padano 7. Lay the speck slices 8, then the taleggio 9.

Continue with another layer of potatoes, salt, season with Grana Padano 11, speck 12, and more taleggio.

Finally, on the last layer of potatoes 13, add Grana Padano and breadcrumbs 14. Cook in a preheated oven with a fan at 400°F for about 25 minutes, finishing with the grill function for the last few minutes to brown the surface and make the crust crispy. The potato, speck, and taleggio pie is ready to be served 15.