While lemon meringue pie usually has a flaky pastry crust, lemon meringue cheesecake utilizes a crumbly biscuit or graham cracker crust.
While the pie contains a smooth lemon curd or custard, the cheesecake has a thick, creamy filling prepared with cream cheese.
The rich, velvety texture of cheesecake contrasts with the pie's light, smooth filling.
The pie filling is often prepared on the stovetop and put together before baking the meringue, whereas the cheesecake is baked to solidify its creamy filling.
The cream cheese in cheesecake softens the tanginess, while the lemon flavor in pies is usually stronger and more pronounced.