A gorgeous strawberry pie loaded with glossy, fresh strawberries in a flaky crust is a stunning summer family dessert. This vibrant, beautiful pie showcases berries at their seasonal best.
Preheat oven to 425°F. Place the prepared pie crust into a 9-inch pie pan, trim and crimp the edges. Prick the bottom with a fork for even baking.
Line the crust with parchment and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake for 15 minutes, then remove weights and bake another 7–10 minutes until golden. Cool completely.
Set aside about 1 1/2 cups of the best-looking whole strawberries for topping. Slice the remaining berries.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisk together sugar, cornstarch, salt, and water. Stir constantly until it thickens and becomes translucent, about 5–7 minutes.
Remove the saucepan from heat. Stir in lemon juice and vanilla extract, then add sliced strawberries. Mix gently to coat evenly.
Spoon the strawberry filling into the cooled crust, then arrange reserved whole strawberries on top. Chill pie in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours for optimal texture before slicing.