Description
Cheesy Italian Tomato Pie brings Mediterranean sunshine to your kitchen, promising a rustic comfort that dances with robust flavors. Homemade goodness fills each slice with authentic Italian warmth, inviting you to savor a simple yet delightful culinary journey.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese:
- 7 ounces (198 grams) firm mozzarella, thinly sliced
- 5.14 ounces (146 grams) fontal cheese (or gouda/gruyere/soft cheese of choice)
Fresh Produce:
- 2 ripe, firm tomatoes, thinly sliced
- 3–5 leaves fresh basil, for garnish
Seasonings and Extras:
- 1 pre-made pie crust or puff pastry
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) butter, melted
- 1.5 teaspoons (7.5 milliliters) oregano
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) basil
- 0.25 to 0.5 teaspoon (1.25 to 2.5 milliliters) salt
- 1.25 tablespoons (19 milliliters) olive oil, for drizzling
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating it to a warm 375°F, creating the perfect environment for baking a rustic Italian cheese and tomato pie.
- Gently unfurl the pie crust or puff pastry, draping it carefully into a waiting pie dish, ensuring a smooth and even surface.
- Apply a delicate brushstroke of melted butter across the pastry, creating a golden, crisp foundation.
- Craft an elegant layer of sliced mozzarella and fontal cheese, distributing them evenly to create a creamy base.
- Artfully arrange vibrant tomato slices atop the cheese, creating a colorful mosaic of Italian flavors.
- Sprinkle a fragrant blend of oregano, basil, and a pinch of salt, awakening the tomatoes with herbal notes.
- Enhance the pie with a graceful drizzle of olive oil, adding a touch of Mediterranean richness.
- Slide the pie into the preheated oven, allowing it to transform for 25-30 minutes until the crust turns a tempting golden brown and the cheese bubbles with anticipation.
- Complete the culinary masterpiece by scattering fresh basil leaves across the top, adding a final burst of aromatic freshness before serving.
Notes
- Choose high-moisture tomatoes like Roma or San Marzano for a more intense flavor and less watery result.
- Pat tomato slices dry with paper towels to prevent soggy crust and ensure crisp pastry texture.
- Consider using a mix of cheeses like sharp provolone or parmesan to add depth and complexity to the pie’s taste profile.
- For a gluten-free version, swap traditional pie crust with almond flour or cauliflower-based crust alternatives.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg