Nothing says summer like the delicious taste and vibrant colors of ripe tomatoes!
This savory delight is a perfect combination of flaky crust, juicy tomatoes, and a cheese mixture that will leave you craving more!
In the heart of the South, where summers are long and tomatoes are plentiful, there is no better way to celebrate tomato season than with a fresh savory pie.
So join me as we create the perfect tomato pie without mayonnaise.
Ingredients for the Best Southern Tomato Pie
For the Pie Crust:
- Store-bought crust or homemade pie crust. If using a frozen pie crust, thaw completely.
Tomatoes:
- Large fresh summer tomatoes (a mix of Roma tomatoes and heirloom tomatoes for a burst of flavor)
- Kosher salt, for sprinkling
For the Cheese Mixture:
- Good olive oil
- Large shallot or sweet onion
- Garlic cloves, cut into thin slivers
- Dry white wine – A little red wine vinegar can be substituted
- Fresh minced thyme leaves
- Kosher salt – Sea salt or Himalayan salt can be used
- Fresh ground black pepper
- Cream cheese, at room temperature
- Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- Garlic-and-herb goat cheese – A cup of cheddar cheese or mozzarella are great alternatives
- Large eggs, at room temperature
- Fresh basil leaves, julienned
For the Top of the Tomato Pie:
- Parmesan cheese shaved with a vegetable peeler
- Spring onions – Also known as green onions or scallions (optional topping)
- Cherry tomatoes – Sliced and placed on top before baking
Helpful Tools and Equipment
- Baking pans or cookie sheets
- Cutting board
- Large serrated knife
- Paper towels
- Medium bowl
- Electric mixer (handheld or standing)
- Pie dish (9-inch deep dish) or tart pan
- Measuring spoons
- Rubber spatula
- Wire rack
- Oven mitts
How To Make A Fresh Tomato Pie Without Mayo
Prepare The Crust
- Let the store-bought pie crust come to room temperature.
- Roll the dough out, press it into the pie plate, and press into the bottom and sides. If using a tart pan, trim any excess dough around the edges.
- Follow the baking instructions on the box noting that the oven temperature may vary.
- Let the flaky pie crust cool to room temperature before filling.
Prepare The Fresh Tomatoes
- Use a serrated knife and cut the tomatoes into thin slices.
- Line one or two cooking sheets with paper towels then place the tomato slices on it in a single layer.
- Sprinkle a little salt on the top of the tomatoes.
- Set the sliced tomatoes aside to extract the excess moisture.
- Dry the tomatoes again with clean paper towels until very dry.
Make The Cheese Mixture
- While the tomatoes are resting – grate the parmesan cheese.
- Slice the basil.
- Mince the thyme.
- Thinly slice the shallot.
- Peel and sliver the fresh garlic cloves.
- Heat saute pan over medium-low heat.
- Pour olive oil into heated pan.
- Add the shallots and garlic.
- Saute, stirring frequently, until almost all the liquid is gone.
- Add the 1/2 teaspoon salt, fresh ground pepper, minced thyme, and white wine, and continue to cook for a bit longer.
- Remove the pan from the heat and set aside.
- In a medium bowl with a hand mixer on medium speed, blend the cream cheese and goat cheese.
- Mix until well-blended.
- Add the eggs and mix well.
- Mix in 1 cup of parmesan cheese.
- Use a rubber spatula and fold in the fresh basil and onion mixture.
- Stir until fully incorporated.
Prepare The Tomato Pie
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees f.
- Add a layer of tomatoes to the bottom of the crust.
- Evenly spread a third of the cheese mixture over the tomatoes.
- Add another layer of tomatoes then top with a layer of cheese mixture.
- Repeat the layering process for a third time ending with a layer of cheese mixture on top.
- Scatter the shards of parmesan cheese over the top of the pie.
- Lightly press slices of cherry tomatoes around the top of the pie.
- Optional: add thinly sliced green onions over the top.
Bake The Pie
- Place the tomato pie in a preheated oven on the center rack.
- Bake until the buttery pie crust is deep golden brown.
- Use oven mitts and remove the pie from the oven.
- Transfer to a wire rack to cool to room temperature.
See the recipe card below for full measurements and cooking time.
The Best Southern Tomato Pie With No Mayo
Enjoy this Southern Tomato Pie as a main course, side dish, or a delightful addition to your summer gatherings.
This is such a great way to savor the season with the perfect recipe that celebrates one of the best things about summer fresh tomatoes!
How To Store Leftover Pie
- Allow the tomato pie to cool completely. Transfer the cooled pie to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
How To Reheat Tomato Pie
- When ready to enjoy leftover tomato pie, reheat it in the oven at a low temperature (around 275 F) until warmed through. This helps maintain the flakiness of the crust.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a frozen pie crust?
Yes, a frozen pie crust works well for this recipe. Bake according to the package instructions before assembling the pie.
If you want to make your pie crust, try this homemade crust recipe.
How do I prevent a soggy tomato pie?
Sprinkling salt on the tomato slices helps draw out excess moisture which leads to a soggy crust.
Allow the tomatoes to rest for at least 30 minutes and pat dry with clean paper towels.
What if I don’t have fresh herbs?
Dried herbs can be substituted, but fresh herbs contribute a stronger clearer flavor.
How can I customize the recipe?
Experiment with different cheeses and herbs for a personalized touch!
Love this recipe? Then you have to try more delicious vegetable recipes!
The Best Southern Tomato Pie Recipe With No Mayo
Nothing says summer like the delicious taste and vibrant colors of ripe tomatoes!
This savory delight is a perfect combination of flaky crust, juicy tomatoes, and a cheese mixture that will leave you craving more!
Ingredients
- 1 store-bought crust or homemade pie crust. If using a frozen pie crust, thaw completely.
- 4-5 large beautiful ripe summer tomatoes
- Kosher salt for sprinkling the tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons of good olive oil
- 1 large shallot or sweet onion, about 1 cup thinly sliced.
- 3 garlic cloves, cut into thin slivers
- 3 tablespoons dry white wine. Red wine vinegar can be substituted
- 2 tablespoons Fresh thyme leaves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt: Sea salt or Himalayan salt can be used
- Fresh ground black pepper
- 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated + 1/2 cup shaved with a vegetable peeler for topping the pie filling
- 4 ounces garlic-and-herb goat cheese: A cup of cheddar cheese or mozzarella cheese can be substituted
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 3 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, julienned
- For the Top of the Tomato Pie:
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese shaved with a vegetable peeler
- Spring onions: Also known as green onions or scallions - optional topping
- Cherry tomatoes: Sliced and placed on top before baking
Instructions
- Prepare The Crust: Let the store-bought pie crust come to room temperature. Roll the dough on a lightly floured work surface to a 13-inch round.
- Press the dough into the pie pan and press into the bottom and sides. If using a tart pan, trim any excess dough around the edges.
- Follow the baking instructions on the box noting that the oven temperature may vary.
- Let the flaky pie crust cool to room temperature before filling.
- Prepare The Fresh Tomatoes
- Use a serrated knife and cut the tomatoes into 1/8-inch slices.
- Line a sheet tray with paper towels then place the tomato slices on it in a single layer.
- Sprinkle salt on the top of the tomatoes.
- Set the sliced tomatoes aside for 30 minutes to extract the excess moisture. Dry the tomatoes again by gently pressing the tomato slices with clean paper towels until very dry.
- Make The Cheese Mixture (while the tomatoes are resting): Grate the parmesan cheese.
- Julienne the basil.
- Mince the thyme.
- Thinly slice the shallot.
- Peel and sliver the fresh garlic cloves.
- Heat frying pan over medium-low heat.
- Pour 2 tablespoons of olive oil into heated pan.
- Add the shallots and garlic.
- Saute for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring frequently, until the shallots are limp and until almost all the liquid is gone.
- Add the 1/2 teaspoon salt, fresh ground pepper, minced thyme, and white wine, and continue to cook for another 10 minutes or until there isn't much liquid left.
- Remove the pan from the heat and set aside.
- In a medium bowl with a hand mixer on medium speed, blend the cream cheese and goat cheese.
- Mix until well-blended.
- Add the eggs and mix well.
- Mix in 1 cup of parmesan cheese.
- Use a rubber spatula and fold in the fresh basil and onion mixture.
- Stir until fully incorporated.
- Prepare The Tomato Pie: Preheat oven to 325 degrees f.
- Add a layer of tomatoes to the bottom of the crust.
- Evenly spread a third of the cheese mixture over the tomatoes.
- Add another layer of tomatoes then top with a layer of cheese mixture.
- Repeat the layering process for a third time ending with a layer of cheese mixture on top.
- Scatter the shards of parmesan cheese over the top of the pie.
- Lightly press slices of cherry tomatoes around the top of the pie.
- Optional: add thinly sliced green onions over the top.
- Bake The Pie: Place the tomato pie in a preheated oven on the center rack.
- Bake for 40 minutes or until the buttery pie crust is deep golden brown.
- Use oven mitts and remove the pie from the oven.
- Transfer to a wire rack to cool to room temperature.
Notes
Helpful Tools and Equipment
- Baking pans or cookie sheets
- Cutting board
- Large serrated knife
- Paper towels
- Medium-size saute pan
- Medium bowl
- Electric mixer (handheld or standing)
- Pie dish (9-inch deep dish) or tart pan
- Measuring spoons
- Rubber spatula
- Wire rack
- Oven mitts
How To Store Leftover Pie
Allow the tomato pie to cool completely. Transfer the cooled pie to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
How To Reheat Tomato Pie
When ready to enjoy leftover tomato pie, reheat it in the oven at a low temperature (around 275 F) until warmed through. This helps maintain the flakiness of the crust.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
10Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 532Total Fat: 32gSaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 113mgSodium: 843mgCarbohydrates: 38gFiber: 4gSugar: 8gProtein: 24g