A Southern dish that demands to be made and eaten.  At first glance, ‘tomato pie’ may sound unappetizing, but it truly is a wonderful culinary experience to behold!

Homemade Tomato Pie With Fresh Herbs

When I first met my husband, he learned I loved to cook and requested I make him a beloved southern dish- Tomato Pie. I would like to say my first attempt was a HUGE success. Instead, it is the family joke at every holiday meal. Although I am proud to announce, I’ve since perfected my recipe and not only is it a hit with my southern family, they actually call and request I make it every tomato harvest.

Homemade Tomato Pie Ingredients

It is best to make this recipe with fresh tomatoes from the garden. I generally make a bunch during the summer, vacuum seal them and freeze them so we can enjoy tomato pies all year long.

• • One-9″pie shell homemade or store-bought. Check out this recipe for homemade pie crust. 
  • 1/2 yellow or red onion, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
  • 3-4 tomatoes, seeds removed, roughly chopped [3 cups]
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced basil* (8-10 leaves)
  • 2 cups grated cheese (can use a combination of your choice)
  • 3/4 cup mayonnaise- we only use Dukes or homemade mayo down in the south.
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce or Tabasco (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

*To slice basil, the term used is chiffonade  – stack the leaves on top of one another, roll them up like a cigar, at one end, slice the ‘cigar’ crosswise in thin slices

Directions

1. Preheat over to 350 degrees F. and place pie shell into the oven and cook for 8-10 minutes until lightly golden brown.
2. Squeeze as much moisture out of chopped tomatoes using paper towels, a clean dish towel or even a potato ricer.
3. Caramelize the onions in the butter or olive oil for 5-6 minutes.
4. Cool and place in the bottom of the pre-cooked pie shell.
5. Spread chopped tomatoes over the onions.
6. Sprinkle sliced basil over the tomatoes.
7. In a medium bowl, mix together the grated cheese, mayonnaise, hot sauce [optional], a sprinkling of salt and freshly ground black pepper. The mixture is going to be sticky – this is just what you will want!  Spread the cheese mixture over the tomatoes.
8. Place in the oven, bake until brown and bubbly.  This can take 25 to 35 minutes.
9. Be vigilant and watch toward the end of the 25 minutes!  Let this set on a wire rack for 8-10 minutes.  Slice and enjoy!

Don’t Forget the Crust

While the fresh garden tomatoes are the star of this recipe, the best supporting cast is the flaky, homemade pie crust. Our sister site, the Farmer’s Lamp, shares their amazing pie crust recipe here. 

More Delicious Tomato Recipes

Check out some of our other tomato recipes we know you’ll love. Our Cast Iron Skillet Chicken and the BEST Ever Spaghetti Sauce. 

Cast Iron Skillet Chicken- Fresh Herbs & Tomatoes

Best EVER Homemade Spaghetti Sauce- never buy from a jar again!

Do you have a favorite tomato recipe you’d like to share?

We planted extra tomatoes this year so I’ll be looking for new recipes to try. Just shoot me an email if you have one to myhomesteadlife@yahoo.com.

 

 

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