Description
This Southern Tomato Pie is a savory, comforting dish featuring juicy ripe tomatoes layered in a flaky pre-baked pie crust, topped with a creamy blend of mayonnaise, mozzarella, cheddar cheese, fresh herbs, and garlic. Baked until bubbly and golden, it’s a perfect appetizer or light main course that highlights fresh summer tomatoes with a delicious Southern twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 9-inch pie crust, pre-baked
Tomato Layer
- 4 large ripe tomatoes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Cheese Mixture
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the pie.
- Prepare Tomatoes: Slice the ripe tomatoes into 1/4-inch thick slices. Sprinkle them lightly with salt and place them on paper towels. Let them sit for 10 minutes to draw out excess moisture, which prevents a soggy crust.
- Mix Cheese and Herbs: In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, shredded mozzarella, shredded cheddar, minced garlic, chopped fresh basil, and chopped fresh thyme. Stir until the mixture is well blended and creamy.
- Assemble Pie Base: Arrange the sliced tomatoes evenly in the pre-baked pie crust, slightly overlapping each slice to cover the crust completely.
- Season Tomatoes: Sprinkle the black pepper evenly over the layered tomatoes to add seasoning.
- Add Topping: Spread the mayonnaise and cheese mixture uniformly on top of the tomatoes to create a rich, creamy layer.
- Bake the Pie: Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbling.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the filling to set slightly for easier cutting.
Notes
- Pre-baking the pie crust helps prevent sogginess from the tomatoes.
- Letting tomatoes drain on paper towels reduces excess moisture for a better texture.
- You can substitute fresh herbs with 1 teaspoon each of dried basil and thyme if fresh is unavailable.
- This pie can be served warm or at room temperature.
- For a crispier top, you can broil the pie for 1-2 minutes at the end but watch closely to prevent burning.
