Cheese flan

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How to make a classic school dinners cheese pie

Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 25 mins
Serves 6
Difficulty Level Easy

Preparation

Print this recipe

Total Time 40 mins
Preparation Time 15 mins
Cooking Time 25 mins

Ingredients
Method

1 large onion or 2 medium shallots, peeled and finely sliced (optional)
1 tbsp unsalted butter (optional)
375g ready-to-roll shortcrust pastry
2 large eggs
150ml milk
200g extra-mature Cheddar, grated
Salt and pepper

Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/Gas Mark 4.

For the onions (optional)

Add the butter to a frying pan over a low-medium heat. Add the onion slices and a pinch of salt and fry gently for about 10-15 minutes, until softened and just starting to caramelise. Keep the heat low so they don't burn, stirring regularly.

For the flan

While the onions are cooking, line the base and sides of a pie/tart tin with shortcrust pastry. Prick the bottom, add dried beans/baking beans/baking weights and blind bake for 10 minutes until it is light golden. Remove from the oven and pace to one side.
Whisk together the eggs and milk in a large bowl or jug. Stir in the grated cheese and season with salt and pepper.
Spoon the onions onto the flan base (if using), spreading them out so they form a thin layer. Pour the cheese and egg mixture over the top.
Bake for about 25-30 minutes until the top is golden and just set.
Serve warm, with a crisp green salad (or tinned tomatoes if you really want that classic school dinners vibe!).

You will need

23cm-round pie dish or flan tin

Baking beans/weights (optional)

Balloon whisk

Tips

Hands up if you remember this school dinner favourite! Cheese flan, or cheese pie as is it often known, is a classic school dinner dish made with just a handful of ingredients (perfect for feeding a horde of hungry kids on a budget!). It was often served with tinned tomatoes or a tomato sauce.

Cheese flan is similar to a quiche but less fiddly to make and with fewer ingredients. Make it at home with ready-made shortcrust pastry, eggs and cheese. Onions optional.