"Maybe it's because I'm so busy that I'm always trying to find a shortcut around a recipe, and sometimes I don't have time for pastry. So here's a version with a crispy bacon shell, instead," says Donna Hay, of her four-ingredient, easy to make little pies.

We love how versatile these are - they can be served warm or cold, and are easy to transport, so they make great picnic or 'bring a plate' fare. A dollop of ajvar or chutney in the filling is part of what makes them taste so good

This versatile recipe from Justine Schofield is a great way to use what you have - If you don't have broccoli in your fridge to make this tart, use frozen spinach or more peas.

A beautiful recipe from the Feast magazine archives, this impressive pie uses a yeasted dough to enclose a filling of bacon, chorizo and hard-boiled eggs. Hornazo comes in various guises across Spain, but almost always includes hard-boiled eggs to symbolise the resurrection of Christ, either as a filling with chorizo and cured meat, or placed on top.

Matthew Evans gives bacon and eggs a stylish makeover with these simple egg and prosciutto pies. Simple, transportable and totally delicious, make them for your next picnic or morning tea.

"I love the sweetness of roasted red onion with the earthiness of mushrooms, and they both work so well with the tarragon," says baker Michael James of his striking onion quiche.

This Italian pie, with a ricotta, egg and spinach filling between two layers of homemade buttery pastry, is traditionally made during Lent.

Hailing from the mountainous region of Lorraine in northern France, quiche Lorraine is traditionally made with just eggs, crème fraîche and bacon. It began as a humble egg-and-bacon pie but has evolved to a more refined open tart. In this recipe from Anneka Manning, some of the crème fraîche has been replaced with milk to make it slightly less rich and more suited our modern palates.

Here, Guillaume Brahimi makes a vegetarian version of the quiche Lorraine which uses his favourite autumn vegetable – the leek.

This light and minty crustless quiche is lifted by the salty feta. Perfect for a packed lunch, it will also keep well in the fridge for up to two days. Serve warm or cold with a lightly dressed mixed salad.