I posted about Tomato Pie last August, but it’s so delicious it deserves to be revisited.
The farmer’s market recently returned to the square outside of my office building in uptown Charlotte.
When I saw all the locally grown produce and these greenhouse vine-ripened tomatoes my heart leaped out of my chest and sang from the rooftops with all the joy that is Tomato Pie.
Tomato Pie is a traditional southern dish that’s typically made with cheddar cheese and Ritz Crackers.
But that just doesn’t blow my dress up.
So I put an Italian twist on things.
Now I’m not hating on cheddar cheese, Ritz Crackers, or traditional southern classics. I love all these things – just not in my Tomato Pie.
Do you want to know the best part about Tomato Pie and farmer’s market tomatoes?
It means that summer is coming!
And it’s about dang time!
Tomato Pie Revisited
Ingredients
- 1 prepared pie crust
- 4-5 large tomatoes sliced
- salt and pepper
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1/2 Vidalia onion sliced thin
- 1 1/4 cup mayonaise
- 2 cups shredded Italian cheese blend
- 8-10 basil leaves rolled up together like a cigar and sliced
Instructions
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Salt and pepper the tomatoes and arrange in colander and top with the garlic for 1-2 hours
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Preheat oven to 350
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Place the pie crust into a deep dish pie pan
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Arrange half the tomatoes in the pie crust and top with half the onion slices, then repeat with remaining tomatoes and onions
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Top with about half the chopped basil
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In a bowl, combine the mayonaise and all but a handful or so of the cheese then stir in the remaining basil
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Spread cheese/mayo mixture evenly over the top of the tomatoes
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Bake for 25-30 minutes until cheese is melted and top is golden brown
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Let cool and set up for 15-20 minutes
I’m so jealous that you live in Charlotte and the farmers’ market is open. Lucky you! This pie looks so awesome, a little vegan cheese and I could eat it too. So glad you didn’t use Ritz crackers. 😉
Yes! It is always a happy day when the farmer’s market at work opens, Linda! You should totally make a vegan tomato pie! I’d love to see how it is with some veganaise and veg cheese. As far as the crackers go, I have texture issues. As crackers I like them but not in my pie. I don’t like bread crumbs on my mac n cheese either. I’m weird.
WOW this looks so delicious! I am not even the biggest fan of tomatoes and I still want to dig into this baby right now!
Thanks Annie! You should try it. It might make you a huge lover of tomatoes – or at least tomato pie!
Oh my…such a decadent pie and so gorgeous.
Thanks so much, Amy!
This looks like a southern dish I need to try! And wow that tomatoes look perfect. I had some delicious cherry tomatoes last week and wondered why I even try to buy them in the winter. But I forget how good tomatoes can be!
You should totally try it Caitlin! The tomatoes aren’t quite as good as they will be in July, but still very good and way better than the grocery ones.
I’m licking my lips at this recipe. I’ve never had tomato pie, but it looks like a winner to me. I’m not a huge fan of mayonnaise. Do you think I could substitute ricotta or greek yogurt in it’s place or would that be weird? Haha. Our farmer’s market won’t be open until June. Those tomatoes are so perfect. 🙂
Erin, have you ever cooked with mayo? It’s totally different than out of the jar. I have tried it with ricotta and it tasted good, but was super gooey – I can’t remember specifics but I probably used too much. Greek yogurt might make it kind of wangy, but let me know how it turns out if you try it. At least now it’s May so June is only a month away!
Oh I’ve never had tomato pie before, but I love the looks of it! It sounds absolutely delicious! I’ll have to try this out!
The T Pie is a favorite summer dish around this house, Gayle. I think you will like it!
I have never had tomato pie before but it sounds so interesting and different! I need to try it!
Thanks Manali! Everyone I have ever made it for loves tomato pie and I think you will too!
I’ve never had tomato pie but it looks sooo soo good! Like pizza, but somehow? Better. I hate breadcrumbs on my mac too, so we must think the same!
Thanks Medha! I don’t know what could be better than pizza, but tomato pie sure comes close! Great minds think alike!
Growing up my mother always made tomato pie.. so delicious! Your version looks and sounds very similar to hers. I’m totally going to try yours (but shhh don’t tell my mother lol). It’s funny reading through the comments about the mayo.. you can’t really even taste it! Just gives it that “something something down home cookin'” taste 🙂 wishing you a wonderful weekend, girlie and thanks for sharing!
Your secret is safe with me! I love mayo any way I can get it – I love the stuff! Happy Weekend!
Those tomatoes are beautiful! I’ve never had tomato pie before but it sounds absolutely delicious! I’d definitely love a big slice!
You should totally try it, Kelly! Thanks!
WOW, this is one gorgeous savory pie, and your photos are stunning!
Thank you so much, Marcie!
This tomato pie looks so awesome, Rachelle! I made a tomato pie a couple of summers ago, and it was ok…but totally didn’t blow my dress up, either. (If it did, then we might have a whole other problem on our hands.) But I’m digging this version. I’ll have to make it once our garden tomatoes finally come in…in like 3 months! I also didn’t realize you live in Charlotte. I love NC. I lived in the Raleigh/Durham area for about 10 years…and I want to return to the NC mountains at some point. That’s like my perfect place to live!
Thanks David! I’m glad we don’t have to worry about any other problems! July tomatoes are the best and it will be here before you know it. Then you can make a dress blowing pie. I love NC too and the mountains are beautiful. You should totally come back!
This tomato pie is looking awesome. I landed through twitter, its great that i found your nice blog. Love to follow you.
Oh my gosh, this looks SO GOOD! I seriously cannot wait until summer tomatoes start coming off the vine! I have 7 tomato plants planted so come August I will have WAY more than I know what to do with. I’ll definitely have to try this pie!!
Thanks Jess! It sounds like you’re going to have tomatoes coming out your ears! Summer tomatoes are the best!
I have never had tomato pie before, but I am drooling over these vibrant pictures. Looks and sounds so delectable. I bet this tastes AMAZING! Perfect summer treat!
Thank you so much, Anu!
Holy YUM! This pie looks fantastic! And those tomatoes?! Shut the front door! I haven’t seen tomatoes like that in years. jelly. But I can tell you, if I do, I’ll be making this pie! Pinned!
Thanks Lindsey! I hope you can find some nice farmer’s market tomatoes! Thanks for the Pin!
I am SO excited for tomato season! In the summer I make the trek to the farmers market just for tomatoes! This pie looks so perfect! I have got to add this to my “must try” list! 🙂
Tomato season is the BEST, Annie! It’s worth that trek to the FM! Thanks!