Description
Paula Deen’s tomato pie serves up Southern charm with layers of ripe tomatoes, sharp cheddar, and a buttery herb-infused crust. Creamy, tangy, and packed with garden-fresh flavor, this classic Southern dish delivers comfort on a plate that you’ll savor slice by slice.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 tomatoes, peeled and sliced
- 10 basil leaves, fresh, chopped
- ½ cup green onion, chopped
Cheeses:
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, grated
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
Bases and Binders:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 pie shell, deep dish, 9-inch, prebaked
Instructions
- Thoroughly wash fresh tomatoes and prepare a pot of boiling water for blanching, alongside a bowl of ice water to halt the cooking process.
- Carefully immerse tomatoes in boiling water for 30-45 seconds until skin begins to split, then immediately transfer to ice water bath to cool.
- Gently remove tomato skins, slice into uniform thin rounds, and place in a colander to drain excess moisture, which prevents pie from becoming soggy.
- Preheat oven to 350°F / 175°C, ensuring rack is positioned in the center for even heat distribution.
- In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup mayonnaise, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, and 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, blending until smooth and well incorporated.
- Season cheese mixture with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, stirring to distribute seasonings evenly.
- Place prebaked pie shell on a sturdy baking sheet for easier handling and transportation to and from oven.
- Arrange tomato slices in overlapping circular pattern across pie shell’s base, creating an attractive and even layer.
- Sprinkle freshly chopped basil leaves and thinly sliced green onions over tomato layer, distributing herbs uniformly.
- Carefully spread seasoned cheese and mayonnaise mixture over tomatoes, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- Transfer pie to preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, watching for golden-brown top and slightly bubbling edges.
- Remove from oven and allow pie to rest for 10-15 minutes, which helps set filling and makes slicing easier.
- Slice into wedges and serve warm, garnishing with additional fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- Cooling is crucial for clean, precise slices that hold their shape and showcase layered ingredients beautifully.
- Creamy cheese mixture needs even distribution to ensure rich, balanced flavor throughout every single bite.
- Strategic layering prevents ingredient clumping, guaranteeing tomatoes, basil, and onions are perfectly balanced.
- Selecting vibrant, garden-fresh herbs elevates the pie’s taste profile beyond mundane dried alternatives.
- Thorough tomato preparation prevents soggy crust, maintaining structural integrity and maximizing delicious potential.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 451 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 769.4 mg
- Fat: 33.1 g
- Saturated Fat: 12.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 22.9 g
- Fiber: 2.2 g
- Protein: 16.5 g
- Cholesterol: 56 mg