Nothing quite hits the spot like a good homemade pie. Whether it is filled with meat in unctuous gravy or vegetables in a creamy sauce, this has to be the ultimate in comfort food. Crown your pie with a lid of buttery puff pastry or a flaky shortcrust. Mashed potato is another classic topping - to make a change you could try another root vegetable mash such as parsnip, sweet potato or swede, or you could make a fish pie a little lighter with a cheese and breadcrumb topping browned under the grill. Paul Bloxham shows that the limit is only your imagination with his polenta-topped Vegetable Pie.
These individual golden pies from The Vegetarian Society are delicious with a spring onion mash
James Martin's tender beef in beer with a crisp pastry crust makes a tasty treat for a family meal
Miss out the meat, but none of the flavour in this tasty and versatile polenta-topped pie from Paul Bloxham
Merrilees Parker proves that chicken with mushrooms is a match made in heaven in this superb, suitable-any-time sort of pie
Cheesy potato-topped beef in a wine enriched sauce adds a special touch to cottage pie in this hearty recipe from Tamasin Day-Lewis
This hearty creamy pie is brought to you from Alastair Hendy's Home Cook
For great comfort cooking, you'll return to Rick Stein's classic fish pie recipe time and time again
This appetising traditional pork pie from Mike Robinson and Alan Haywood combines juicy pork and bacon in crisp golden pastry
Sophie Grigson's fabulous Shepherd's Pie oozes full on flavour and makes a simple but sensational family meal
Caroline Yates' traditional pasties from south west England are delicious eaten hot or cold and makes a great lunch, supper or picnic dish
