This savory Fresh Tomato Tart with Basil Pesto and Fontina Cheese features vine ripened tomatoes, basil pesto and creamy nutty Fontina cheese. It's baked in a pastry crust resulting in a savory pie that's absolute perfection for any meal.

Easy Fresh Tomato Tart with Basil Pesto and Fontina Cheese Recipe
My Dad planted two tomato plants this year that produced the most beautiful red juicy tomatoes. After a visit to see them, we came home with a basketful that he and my sons picked together. They were much too beautiful to waste, and besides a good ole tomato sandwich slathered with Duke's mayonnaise, I knew that I would want to try my hand at making a tomato pie with some of them. My family loves my creamy macaroni and cheese pie topped with tomatoes, so I knew it would be a win.
How to Make the Best Fresh Tomato Tart with Basil Pesto and Fontina Cheese Recipe
- Ingredients you'll need to make a homemade Fresh Tomato Tart: One 9 inch deep dish pie shell, fresh beef tomatoes, green onions, melted butter, prepared basil pesto, shredded Parmesan cheese, shredded fontina cheese, crushed Italian flavored crackers, mayonnaise, salt, black pepper and basil for garnishing.
- Kitchen tools you'll need: A 9 inch deep dish pie pan, sharp knife and chopping board, small bowl, cheese grater, measuring cups and spoons and off set spatula or knife for spreading the mayo and pesto.
- This tart pictured was baked in a fluted tart pan with a removable bottom. You can use any deep disp pan but a shallow pan won't work. You can also use a deep dish frozen pie crust, if you prefer.
- This recipe used shredded Parmesan cheese not finely grated Parmesan cheese. If you choose to use grated Parmesan cheese use ½ of the amount or it will make the tart too salty.
- You can swap out the Fontina cheese for mozzarella, colby jack, gruyere or cheddar.
- How do you Keep a Tomato Pie from Becoming Watery? In the past, all of the tomato tart recipes I tried seemed to end up watery, and quite frankly, a little tasteless. They were easy to put together, but, didn't provide a very impressive or delicious end result. A key step in reducing the juice in the tomatoes is taking the time to salt them and let them sit and release some of their juices prior to assembling.
- Place the slices on paper towels and salt then gently press another paper towel on top. Let sit and the juices will release giving you a better end result.
- The crushed crackers not only add flavor they also ensure the pie won't become watery. Any Italian seasoned cracker will work.
- You can use your favorite brand of basil pesto in this recipe.
- You can serve this yummy and easy Fresh Tomato Tart for breakfast, lunch or dinner with a crisp green salad and a side of garlic bread or hot rolls.
- Store Fresh Tomato Tart covered and chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in single servings in the microwave.
More Fresh Tomato Recipes to Make
- My Tomato Jam is another way to use garden fresh tomatoes.
- See this technique for How to Freeze Summer Tomatoes and make homemade tomato sauce.
- Tomato Cracker Salad is always the talk of the table!
- Fried Green Tomatoes are simply addictive.
- Cherry Tomato Cucumber Salad is good and good for you.
- Baked Pimento Cheese Tomatoes can be enjoyed as a side dish, on burgers and sandwiches and beyond.
- Checkout this recipe for Bruschetta from Two Peas And Their Pod.
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Fresh Tomato Tart with Basil Pesto And Fontina Cheese
Servings: 8 pieces
Calories: 382kcal
Ingredients
- 1 9 inch refrigerated pie crust OR homemade (If using frozen crust, thaw)
- 4 medium fresh tomatoes
- coarse sea salt
- 3 chopped green onions
- 4 tablespoon butter divided
- ¾ cup Italian flavored cracker crumbs
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup light mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon prepared basil pesto [i.e. Classico or similar]
- 8 oz Fontina cheese shredded and divided
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a deep dish 9 inch tart pan or pie pan with cooking spray. Fit the crust into the pan. Set aside.
- Slice the tomatoes ¼ inch thick and place side by side in a single layer on doubled paper towels.
- Sprinkle lightly with coarse sea salt and gently press another paper towel on top to cover them. Leave the tomatoes to release some of their juices while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
- Melt butter in a small bowl. Toss with the cracker crumbs and shredded Parmesan cheese.
- In a small skillet over medium heat, cook the green onions in the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter until they begin to soften. Remove from heat and Mix together the mayonnaise and basil pesto.
- To assemble: Spread half of the cracker and Parmesan mixture onto the bottom of the crust and sprinkle one third of the Fontina cheese on top.
- Arrange the first layer of the tomatoes over the cheese and spread one half of the basil pesto mayonnaise evenly over the tomatoes.
- Sprinkle the next one third of cheese and the cooked green onion over the tomato slices.
- Repeat, Parmesan cracker crumbs, tomato slices, basil mayonnaise and end with fontina cheese on top. Season the top with black pepper.
- Bake for 38-40 minutes.
- Let the tart rest on the counter for 10 minutes before cutting.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- This recipe used shredded Parmesan cheese not finely grated Parmesan cheese. If you choose to use grated Parmesan cheese use ½ of the amount or it will make the tart too salty.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 382kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 650mg | Potassium: 221mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1093IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 254mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @melissassk or tag #melissassk!
Marcia
Can this be frozen once baked?
Melissa
It's a great question. I typically don't freeze this after baking due to the chance of the tomatoes breaking down and making it soggy when thawed. If you try it, let us know how it goes.
Terri
Hi...looks so good. Did you ever make the tart crustless?
Melissa
I make this recipe just as directed so, in this instance, I haven't.
Shirley
What is Italian cracker crumbs?
Melissa
Any Italian flavored cracker you enjoy crushed into crumbs. I used a Nabisco Italian flatbread cracker.
Melissa
Thank you Lillian! When the time changed Spring Fever took over, hence the new look! 🙂
Lillian (My Recipe Journey)
OMG!!!! That is gorgeous! YUM! I know I would love that!!! I love your blog design...when did you change it?