Easy Italian Cheese and Tomato Pie
This Cheese and Tomato Pie, is the perfect appetizer or Main Dish. A fast and easy savory tart made with fresh tomatoes, cheese and basil. The perfect Summer dish.
It is almost my favourite time of the year, tomato season, actually, I’m pretty sure you can get tomatoes year round almost everywhere, I still believe there’s nothing like a fresh tomato straight out of the garden, or even out of a pot.
You should try it one day, get some dirt, a couple of huge pots and plant some tomato plants in each pot. And while you’re at it, a little pot of basil won’t hurt either! The perfect combination Tomatoes and Basil especially made in this tasty Tomato Pie Recipe, if you prefer you could also make 2-3 mini tomato pies.
Ingredients for the Pie
- Pie Crust: For this you can use either store bought short crust or puff pastry. Either work really well.
- Butter: It coats the crust which helps to keep it from getting soggy.
- Cheese: For this I used a firm mozzarella cheese which still gives you a cheese pull but won’t make the tart soggy. I also used a creamy Italian, Fontina/Fontal, you can substitute with swiss, gruyere, gouda, provolone or even a cheese mixture.
- Tomatoes: Make sure the tomatoes are mature but firm, you can always remove the seeds and pulp.
- Oregano: I love using oregano, I love the taste and the flavour it gives the tart, you can always substitute with thyme or marjoram.
- Basil: This is also a flavour enhancer and goes perfect with fresh tomatoes.
- Salt: It adds flavour to the recipe. And you could add a dash or two of pepper.
- Olive Oil: It is a delicious flavour enhancer and a good fat.
- Fresh Basil: Nothing like fresh basil to bring out the best in tomatoes and the aroma!
How to make the Cheese & Tomato Pie
Pre-made pie crust or puff pastry crust. You can always make your own if you which using either my Homemade Savory Pie Crust or Homemade Puff Pastry Dough. Line the prepared pie plate with the dough, thinly slice the mozzarella, fontina and tomatoes.
Brush the pastry with the melted butter, top first with sliced mozzarella, then layer with the sliced fontina/fontal cheese.
Finally top with the slices of tomato (if they are really seedy i remove the seeds & pulp) sprinkle with salt, oregano and basil, drizzle with olive oil and bake until the crust is golden and the cheese has melted. Remove and top with chopped fresh basil before serving.
I have made this pie quite a few times, with both savory and puff pastry dough and either are quite delicious, it really depends on your preference.
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Substitutions for the Cheese and Tomato pie
If you like garlic you could mince a clove or two and sprinkle it on top before baking. Or even add some sliced onions. Instead of dried oregano you could add fresh herbs such as oregano, marjoram or even thyme.
How to prevent the pie from being runny
If you prefer you can blind bake the crust before adding the ingredients. Place the dough in the prepared pie pan, prick the bottom few times with the tongs of a fork.
Place a piece of parchment paper on top and fill with beans, rice or even sugar, blind bake the pre-heated oven 400F (200C), for approximately 10 minutes, remove the paper and beans, let cool slightly and then continue with the recipe.
So whatever crust you decide to make this yummy Cheese & Tomato Pie with, I hope you enjoy it and let me know what you think. Buon Appetito!
Italian Cheese and Tomato Pie
Ingredients
- 1 pre-made pie crust or puff pastry
- 1 tablespoon butter melted
- 7 ounces firm mozzarella thinly sliced
- 5¼ ounces fontal cheese / gouda / gruyere (or any soft cheese of choice)
- 2 ripe / firm tomatoes thinly sliced
- 1½ teaspoons oregano
- 1 teaspoon basil
- ¼ -½ teaspoon salt
- 1¼ tablespoons olive oil for drizzling
- 3-5 leaves fresh basil
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 12 inch (30 cm) round pizza pan.
- Place the puff pastry / savory crust on the prepared pan, brush the pastry with the melted butter, top with first the thinly sliced mozzarella, then the thinly sliced fontal cheese, and finally top with the thin slices of tomato (if they are really seedy i remove the seeds & pulp) sprinkle with salt, oregano and basil, drizzle with olive oil.
- Bake for approximately 35 minutes or until golden. Remove and top with chopped fresh basil. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Notes
What are the best tomatoes for baking?
For baking in a pie the best tomatoes are low water content tomatoes, such as Roma or Plum tomatoes. I also like cherry or even grape tomatoes. Make sure the tomatoes are firm but ripe. If you find they have a lot of seeds or pulp just remove them before baking.How to keep the pie from getting soggy?
You can go an extra step and sprinkle the tomato slices with salt and let them drain for about 20 minutes, this help remove any excess liquid and keep your pie from being soggy. Although removing the seeds and pulp also helps keep the pie firm.How to store the tomato cheese pie
Any leftover Pie should be stored in the refrigerator and eaten within 2-3 days. I like to serve this pie warm from the oven but it can also be served at room temperature. Or you can re-heat it in a low oven for about 10 minutes. It probably isn’t a good idea to freeze the baked Tomato Pie because the tomatoes can make the crust soggy.Nutrition
Updated from June 4, 2014.
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Rosemary:
Once my tomatoes are ripe from my garden I’ll be making the tomato pie. Love all your recipes. Thank you.
Hi Lisa, thanks so much, glad you enjoy the recipes, and I hope you like the pie! Take care.
I made this yesterday and it was DELICIOUS!! I used puff pastry along with the cheeses in the recipe. I know it’s going on the “repeat” list because the family approved. Thanks for sharing this.
Hi Ann, thanks so much, so glad everyone enjoyed it. Take care!
Thanks Rosemary, I happened to have all the ingredients in the house to make this pie! O my gosh, it’s so delicious and easy to prepare. Thank you for sharing this recipe, all your recipes in advance!
Hi Barbara, thanks so much, so glad you enjoyed it. Take care!
It was delicious!!
Tks for it!!!
Hi Roberto, thanks so much, glad you enjoyed it. Take care!