An apparatus, system, and method for forming an improved barrier between a pan, such as a food service pan, and a substance, such as food, contained therein using a contour fit pan liner are provided. The apparatus includes a pan liner having a contoured bottom edge that is custom fit within a food service pan to cover an interior surface of the pan. The contoured edge of the pan liner conforms to the shape and size of the food service pan and does not have any dog ears, ears, or tails that are typical of conventional pan liner. The contour fit pan liner system includes a pan and a contoured or shaped liner for forming an improved barrier between an interior surface of the pan and food that can be disposed therein using a pan liner having a contoured bottom edge that is custom fit to the shape and size of the pan. The pan preferably includes a food service pan having a bottom panel, one or more side walls extending upwardly from the bottom panel, a top opening defined by top edges of the side walls, and a flange extending outwardly from the top edges of the side walls. The liner includes a bag shaped structure having a closed bottom end, a contoured bottom edge, one or more side walls extending upwardly from the contoured bottom edge, and a top opening defined by the top edges of the liner side walls. The contoured bottom edge does not have dog ears formed at the bottom corners of the liner, as is typically of conventional pan liners. The liner is disposed within the food receptacle area of the pan to cover the interior surface of the pan and the top of the liner is folded over the top opening of the pan. A method for making an improved contour fit pan liner having a contoured bottom edge is disclosed.