Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the pie. This top layer will melt, bubble, and brown, giving you that old-fashioned, magazine-worthy golden crust when it comes out of the oven.
Place the pie dish on the center rack of the preheated oven and bake for 35–45 minutes, or until the top is deeply golden and crisp, the edges are browned, and you can see a bit of bubbling around the sides through the glass.
