Description
Southern tomato pie celebrates summer’s bounty with layers of ripe tomatoes, crisp crust, and melted cheese. Cheese and herbs mingle in this Southern classic that invites you to savor each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 9-inch pie crust (not pre-baked)
- 4–5 tomatoes (Roma or beefsteak, sliced)
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese (grated)
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese (grated)
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup butter cracker crumbs (approximately 12 crackers)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves (chopped)
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper (ground)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a pie shell by lining with parchment paper and pie weights. Bake for 20 minutes until light golden, then remove weights and parchment, allowing the crust to cool completely.
- Slice tomatoes and arrange on paper towels. Sprinkle with salt and let sit for 10 minutes, then pat dry thoroughly to remove excess moisture.
- Create alternating layers of tomato slices and fresh basil in the cooled pie shell, reserving a few tomato slices for the top.
- Mix mayonnaise, garlic, grated cheeses, and black pepper in a bowl until smooth and well-incorporated.
- Spread the cheese mixture evenly over the layered tomatoes, ensuring complete coverage.
- Scatter butter cracker crumbs across the surface and strategically place the reserved tomato slices on top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, watching for a golden-brown crust and slightly bubbling surface.
- Remove from oven and allow the pie to rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving, which helps the filling set and makes cutting easier.
Notes
- Drain tomatoes thoroughly to prevent a soggy pie crust, using multiple layers of paper towels and salt to draw out excess moisture before baking.
- Experiment with cheese varieties like sharp cheddar, gruyère, or goat cheese to customize the flavor profile and add depth to the pie.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute butter crackers with gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour crumbs, ensuring a crispy topping without wheat ingredients.
- Enhance the herb profile by mixing fresh thyme or oregano with basil, creating a more complex and aromatic tomato pie that elevates the overall taste experience.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg