Classic Southern Tomato Pie: A Savory Summer Delight with Flaky Crust and Fresh Tomatoes
Discover the quintessential taste of summer with this incredible Southern Tomato Pie. Featuring layers of vibrant, red ripe tomato slices, fragrant fresh basil, pungent garlic, crisp green onion, and a decadent blend of two cheeses, all nestled within a beautifully golden, flaky crust, this savory pie is a true culinary masterpiece. It’s a dish that not only satisfies the palate but also evokes the warmth and bounty of the season, practically begging to be enjoyed.
Prepare to be amazed, because today we’re unveiling something truly special! For a long time, crafting a perfect homemade tomato pie has been on my culinary wishlist, and I’m thrilled to finally share this recipe with you. It’s hard to believe I waited so long to bake this quintessential summer Southern classic, bursting with fresh flavors and comforting textures. This savory pie encapsulates the very essence of summer, making it a must-try for anyone who appreciates vibrant, seasonal ingredients.
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Just last Friday, I delighted you with a recipe for a Summer Fruit Salad with Honey-Lime Poppyseed Dressing, prepared for our exciting Freaky Friday event. At that time, I hinted at this very pie, promising its arrival today. I assure you, this incredible Southern Tomato Pie is absolutely worth the weekend anticipation! This cherished recipe comes from my dear friend, Amy, and it has already earned a permanent spot in our regular meal rotation, becoming an instant family favorite. Its rich, savory profile and tender, juicy tomatoes make it an unforgettable dish that you’ll want to revisit season after season.
Embracing the peak of tomato season, I’m excited to dedicate the upcoming week to these versatile fruits! Over the next few days, I’ll be sharing three brand new recipes that highlight the incredible freshness of ripe tomatoes, including this star Southern Tomato Pie, an amazing Tomato Cracker Salad, and a vibrant Fresh Tomato Bruschetta. For an even broader selection of inspiring tomato dishes, be sure to follow me on Facebook and Instagram, where you’ll also discover a plethora of other fantastic tomato recipes from my talented blogger friends! It’s a true celebration of summer’s bounty, promising a delicious adventure for your taste buds.
As part of our celebration of summer’s bounty, this coming Wednesday, you can look forward to a fantastic recipe for Tomato Cracker Salad, a truly nostalgic Southern favorite. Then, on Friday, get ready to dive into a new and equally delicious recipe for Fresh Tomato Bruschetta, perfect for entertaining or a light, flavorful bite. Each dish promises to make the most of those glorious summer tomatoes, ensuring your kitchen is filled with seasonal goodness!
But today, our spotlight shines entirely on this magnificent creation – the Southern Tomato Pie! Just take a moment to admire that irresistible, creamy cheese topping, perfectly melted and golden brown, generously blanketing the layers of juicy tomatoes and aromatic herbs. It’s a symphony of textures and flavors waiting to be devoured, offering a slice of pure Southern comfort in every bite.
Essential Ingredients for a Classic Southern Tomato Pie:
Crafting the perfect Southern Tomato Pie relies on a selection of simple, fresh, and high-quality ingredients that come together to create an unforgettable savory experience. Each component plays a vital role in building the robust flavor and delightful texture of this summer classic. Here’s what you’ll need for this delectable dish:
- Pie Crust: The foundation of our pie. Whether you opt for a convenient store-bought crust for ease or prefer to create your own flaky homemade masterpiece, a well-prepared base is paramount to prevent a soggy bottom and ensure a satisfying crunch.
- Fresh Tomatoes: The undisputed star of the show! Select ripe, firm tomatoes, ideally homegrown heirloom varieties for the most authentic and robust flavor. Their natural sweetness and acidity are crucial.
- Fresh Basil: Aromatic basil leaves provide that signature fresh, herbaceous note that complements tomatoes beautifully, adding a burst of Mediterranean essence to this Southern dish.
- Green Onion & Garlic: These add a subtle sharpness, allium zing, and depth of flavor. The green onions offer a milder bite than traditional onions, while minced garlic provides an essential savory warmth.
- Mozzarella & Cheddar Cheese: A harmonious combination of these two cheeses. Mozzarella provides incredible melty stretchiness and mildness, while sharp cheddar delivers a rich, savory tang and a beautiful golden crust when baked.
- Mayonnaise: Often considered the “secret ingredient” in many Southern dishes, mayonnaise contributes to the pie’s creamy, rich, and flavorful topping, binding the cheeses and adding a touch of classic Southern richness.
- Salt & Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance and balance all the wonderful natural flavors of the fresh ingredients. Freshly cracked black pepper is highly recommended for its pungent aroma.
The Importance of Draining Your Tomatoes for a Perfect Pie
A crucial first step in preparing a truly outstanding, non-soggy Southern Tomato Pie is meticulously managing the moisture content of your tomatoes. Tomatoes are naturally very juicy, and if that excess liquid isn’t removed, it can release during baking, leading to a watery filling and a compromised crust. To begin, lay a couple of layers of sturdy paper towels on a large cookie sheet or baking tray. Arrange your carefully sliced tomatoes in a single layer on the towels, then generously sprinkle them with salt. The salt helps draw out the internal moisture through osmosis. After allowing them to rest for about 30 minutes, gently pat the tops of the slices with additional paper towels to absorb any remaining excess juice. This simple yet essential step guarantees a firm, flavorful pie that holds its shape beautifully and delivers the ideal texture in every slice.
Achieving a Flaky, Golden Pie Crust: The Art of Blind Baking
While your tomatoes are undergoing their essential moisture-draining process, it’s the perfect time to prepare your pie crust for baking. Pre-baking, also known as “blind baking,” the crust is an absolutely essential step for preventing a soggy bottom, ensuring it’s perfectly crisp, golden, and able to withstand the juicy tomato filling when your pie is ready. Begin by gently poking holes into the bottom and sides of the unbaked crust using the tines of a fork. These perforations allow steam to escape during baking, which prevents the crust from puffing up unevenly or creating large bubbles.
For optimal results during the pre-baking stage, I highly recommend using a pie weight. These specialized ceramic or metal weights are placed over a layer of parchment paper in the crust and help hold it in place, preventing shrinkage and maintaining its perfect shape as it bakes. If you don’t have pie weights, don’t worry – you can easily use a piece of heavy-duty foil pressed into the crust and filled with dried beans or uncooked rice as a suitable and effective alternative. For comprehensive, step-by-step instructions on how to pre-bake a pie crust, ensuring a flawlessly crisp base every time, you can find a detailed guide right here on my blog. This extra attention to your crust will truly elevate your Southern Tomato Pie!
With your tomatoes sufficiently drained and your pie crust perfectly pre-baked and cooled, it’s time to gather and prepare your remaining fresh ingredients for assembly. Finely chop your green onion, mince the garlic to release its potent aroma, and thinly slice your fresh basil leaves. Set these aromatic components aside in a small bowl. In a separate, medium-sized bowl, combine the shredded mozzarella and sharp cheddar cheeses with the creamy mayonnaise and a generous sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper. Mix this until all ingredients are well combined and the mixture is smooth and creamy. Then, set this savory cheese mixture aside as well. These meticulously prepared elements are now perfectly ready for layering, bringing us closer to enjoying our glorious, homemade Southern Tomato Pie!
Once all your ingredients are prepped and ready, it’s time to carefully assemble your masterpiece. Begin by arranging an even, visually appealing layer of the drained, sliced tomatoes into the bottom of your perfectly pre-baked and cooled pie crust. This forms the flavorful and juicy foundation of our pie, ensuring a burst of fresh tomato in every bite.
Next, generously sprinkle half of your finely chopped green onions and fresh basil over the initial tomato layer. These aromatic herbs and alliums infuse the pie with their distinctive fragrances and tastes, creating a delightful contrast with the sweet and tangy tomatoes. The layers build both flavor and visual appeal, promising a complex yet harmonious bite.
Continue building the savory layers by adding another generous layer of sliced tomatoes, followed by the remaining half of the basil and green onion mixture. This layering technique ensures an even distribution of flavor throughout the pie. Finally, and perhaps most enticingly, gently spread the creamy cheese and mayonnaise mixture evenly over the very top. Ensure it completely covers all the tomatoes and herbs, creating a rich, protective blanket that will melt into a golden, bubbly crust during baking. Now, your beautiful Southern Tomato Pie is meticulously assembled and ready for its final, delicious transformation in the oven!
Just look at it – isn’t it absolutely gorgeous? The exquisite combination of that perfectly flaky, golden crust, the vibrant red, sweet tomatoes peeking through, and the harmonious flavors of fresh basil, savory green onion, and pungent garlic, all crowned with that incredibly melty, bubbly cheese topping. It’s a truly swoon-worthy sight and taste sensation that epitomizes summer comfort food! The aroma alone is enough to make your mouth water, promising a delicious experience with every forkful. This Southern Tomato Pie is more than just a dish; it’s a celebration of seasonal ingredients and classic culinary traditions.
If you’re blessed with a bumper crop of tomatoes in your garden this year, or perhaps a generous neighbor has shared their bounty, then you absolutely must give this recipe a try! This pie reaches unparalleled heights of flavor when crafted with truly homegrown, vine-ripened tomatoes, as their superior taste profoundly impacts the final dish. But what if you don’t have access to garden-fresh produce and rely on your local grocery store? Should you abandon the idea of making this utterly delicious Southern Tomato Pie? Absolutely not! While selecting the best tomatoes at the grocery store can sometimes be a bit of a puzzle, I’ve got some invaluable tips to help you choose wisely and ensure your pie is still phenomenal, bursting with delicious flavor.
Expert Tips for Selecting the Best Tomatoes at the Grocery Store:
Even if you’re not pulling them straight from your garden, you can still find fantastic tomatoes that will make your Southern Tomato Pie shine. Knowing what to look for can make all the difference in achieving that fresh, vibrant flavor. Here’s how to pick the best ones for your tomato pie and other dishes:
- Prioritize Local and Seasonal: Pay close attention to the origin of your tomatoes. Whenever possible, try to find tomatoes that were grown in or close to your local area. Locally sourced produce often travels shorter distances, meaning it’s typically picked closer to its ripeness peak, preserving its natural flavor and texture. In contrast, tomatoes from distant regions (like many from Mexico, a major grower) are often picked while still green to survive long transit times, which can significantly compromise their overall flavor development.
- Seek “Vine Ripened” Labels: When browsing the produce aisle, actively look for tomatoes specifically labeled “vine ripened.” This designation indicates that the tomatoes were allowed to mature on the vine, naturally developing their full, complex sugars and robust flavors. Some commercially grown tomatoes are picked green and then artificially ripened with ethylene gas, which may improve their color but often leaves them tasting less vibrant and somewhat mealy compared to their vine-ripened counterparts.
- Thoroughly Inspect the Exterior: Before adding tomatoes to your cart, give them a careful visual inspection. Steer clear of any tomatoes that exhibit discoloration, deep bruises, soft or mushy spots, or any signs of blemishes on their outside. Even a small black mark or imperfection can be an early indicator of rot or internal damage, which will negatively impact both taste and texture, and could spoil your entire pie.
- Assess the Weight for its Size: Pick up a few tomatoes and feel their weight in your hand. A good, juicy, and ripe tomato should feel surprisingly heavy for its size. This density is a strong indicator of high water content and lush, flavorful flesh, which is exactly what you want for a succulent pie. Conversely, tomatoes that feel unusually light for their size tend to be less juicy, drier, and may lack that desired robust flavor and sweetness.
- Trust Your Sense of Smell: This is one of the most reliable tests for ripeness and flavor! A truly good, ripe tomato will emit a delightful, earthy, sweet scent, particularly near where it was attached to the vine. If a tomato has little to no discernible scent, it’s a strong sign that it will also lack significant flavor, providing a bland addition to your pie. Be particularly mindful when choosing tomatoes sold in plastic containers, such as grape or cherry varieties. Always check for bright red, firm fruit with few blemishes, and, if possible, give them a sniff for that essential earthy aroma that promises good taste.
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More Delicious Ways to Enjoy Fresh Tomatoes:
If you find yourself with an abundance of fresh, ripe tomatoes, or simply can’t get enough of their delightful flavor during peak season, here are some other fantastic recipes that celebrate this versatile fruit. Explore beyond the pie and discover new favorites for every meal, from appetizers to comforting soups:
- Zucchini & Tomato Bake: A simple yet incredibly satisfying casserole that perfectly pairs tender, fresh zucchini with sweet, ripe tomatoes, baked until bubbly and golden. It’s perfect as a hearty side dish or a light, wholesome main course.
- Low Carb Spinach, Tomato and Feta Crustless Quiche: A healthy, flavorful, and incredibly easy-to-make option for breakfast, brunch, or a light dinner. This crustless quiche is packed with nutrient-rich spinach, juicy tomatoes, and salty, tangy feta cheese, offering Mediterranean-inspired tastes without the carbs.
- Roasted Tomato Vegetable Soup: Elevate your soup game with this comforting recipe featuring deeply roasted tomatoes and a medley of seasonal vegetables. Roasting intensifies their natural sweetness, resulting in a rich, hearty, and incredibly flavorful bowl of soup that’s perfect for any weather.
- Tomato Tart with Goat Cheese and Capers: A sophisticated and elegant tart that beautifully combines the creamy tang of goat cheese with briny capers and layers of fresh, colorful tomatoes, all nestled in a delicate pastry shell. It’s an impressive dish for entertaining or a gourmet lunch.
- Ombre Heirloom Tomato and Ricotta Tart: A visually stunning and equally delicious tart featuring a beautiful gradient of colorful heirloom tomatoes artfully arranged atop a creamy, savory ricotta cheese base. This dish is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the palate, celebrating the unique beauty of heirloom varieties.
Now that we’ve covered all the essential tips and tricks for making the perfect Southern Tomato Pie, from selecting the finest tomatoes to achieving that flawless flaky crust, it’s time to dive into the full recipe details! Get ready to bake this incredible, comforting dish and savor every mouth-watering bite. This pie promises to be a highlight of your summer cooking. Happy cooking, and even happier eating!
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Print Recipe
Tomato Pie
Ingredients
- 1 unbaked pie crust
- 5-6 red ripe tomatoes sliced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves chopped (about 10 leaves)
- 1/2 cup green onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions
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Heat oven to 400 degrees, line a pie plate with unbaked crust and shape crust. With the tines of a fork, poke holes in the bottom of the crust. Use a piece of heavy duty foil (foil method) or a pie weight in the center so the crust does not bubble up as it bakes. Place crust in the oven and bake for about 8 minutes, or until crust begins to brown. Remove and cool.
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Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees.
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While crust is pre-baking, line a large cookie sheet with a couple of layers of paper towels. Place sliced tomatoes in a single layer on towels and sprinkle with salt. Let rest for 30 minutes.
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Combine the basil, green onion and garlic in a bowl. Set aside.
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Combine the mayo and shredded cheeses another bowl. Sprinkle with pepper. Set aside.
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After 30 minutes, gently blot the tops of the tomatoes with more paper towels to remove any excess juice.
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Place a layer of tomato slices into the bottom of the pre-baked pie crust. Top with half of the basil mixture. Add another layer of tomatoes and the rest of the basil mixture. Spread the cheese mixture over the top.
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Bake for 30 minutes. Cheese will begin to slightly brown on top. Remove from oven and let rest 10 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Nutrition