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Flaky Ricotta and Fresh Tomato Tart

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Fresh slices of vine ripened tomatoes, a basil and ricotta cheese filling and golden puff pastry crust come together to make this delicious flaky tomato tart. It is a perfect summer appetizer, lunch or light dinner when paired with a salad.

Square piece of tomato tart with golden brown flaky puff pastry crust topped with ricotta cheese layer, red and yellow tomato slices and bits of fresh basil.

Highlight the flavor of fresh summer tomatoes with this simple tart. The flaky puff pastry crust is topped with a creamy basil and ricotta filling.

Top that all with beautiful slices of tomato and bake it to perfection. It’s a fantastic way to highlight those fresh flavors!

This time of year tomatoes are always at their best. They are also quite plentiful right now.

Our CSA is supplying us with gorgeous heirloom tomatoes each week. Plus we have our own garden to stay on top of.

whole tomato tart on flaky puff pastry base with ricotta filling and fresh yellow and red tomatoes on top, ready to cut and serve.

 We only plant a few in our little raised beds, but they always go nuts. By the end of summer our freezers are full of sauce and we’re giving them away by the bagful.

But that’s not to say we don’t enjoy them, because we absolutely do! My husband loves putting a big thick slice of tomato on his sandwiches for lunch.

Little Dude and I eat the cherry tomatoes as fast as we can pick them and we enjoy them sliced and diced on almost anything. Plus I have been having fun baking with them as well.

angled view of tomato tart with red and yellow tomato slices, fresh basil, ricotta and puff pastry.

Some folks on Facebook said they would like more savory puff pastry recipes to try. So I thought I’d make a fun puff pastry tart.

This is partially inspired by the flaky chanterelle mushroom tart I made a few years ago. Though this recipe is easier to make with store bought puff pastry instead of layers of phyllo dough.

Plus tomatoes are a lot easier to come by than chanterelles!

First slice of tomato tart served on plate with remaining tart in background.

I knew we’d like the tomatoes baked into a tart after the success of the savory tomato pie last year. The flavors in that are more reminiscent of a classic southern style tomato sandwich and this has more of an Italian vibe.

I have to say it was absolutely fabulous. Luckily I have all of the ingredients to make another one this weekend!

Steps and Tips for Making a Delicious Tomato Tart

You are of course welcome to make your own puff pastry. I have never tried it, though I would like to some day.

You can get premade puff pastry in the freezer aisle by the frozen pie crusts or in the refrigerator section by the cinnamon rolls and pizza dough.

puff pastry dough sheet with edges folded over and docked center ready to bake.

Puff pastry gets the most puff if it is cold. So work quickly to prepare it or stick it back in the refrigerator or freezer for a few minutes after it’s formed and docked. That will help you get the maximum number of flaky layers.

slices of red and yellow tomatoes draining on a layer of paper towel to remove excess moisture.

Be sure to drain your tomatoes on paper towels before you use them. Tomatoes have a lot of water in them, and you don’t want a soggy tart.

Feel free to play with the herbs. If you aren’t a huge basil fan, some thyme, parsley, chives and/or rosemary would be good. Mix and match to get your own custom flavor.

prebaked puff pastry sheet next to bowl of herbed ricotta ready to put together tomato tart.

Garnish with the same herbs you use in the ricotta for an extra fresh flavor and appearance.

layers of fresh yellow and red tomatoes on top of ricotta and puff pastry ready to bake.

Serving suggestions

Cut into smaller squares for a fabulous summer appetizer.

You could even cut the puff pastry into smaller squares before baking and layering. Then you could have single serve tarts.

Serve a larger slice alongside a salad for a fun lunch or dinner option.

slice of tomato tart with red and yellow tomatoes, puff pastry, ricotta and basil served on plate..
Square piece of tomato tart with golden brown flaky puff pastry crust topped with ricotta cheese layer, red and yellow tomato slices and bits of fresh basil.

Flaky Ricotta and Fresh Tomato Tart

Carlee
Fresh slices of vine ripened tomatoes, a basil and ricotta cheese filling and golden puff pastry crust come together to make this delicious flaky tomato tart. It is a perfect summer appetizer, lunch or light dinner when paired with a salad.
5 from 6 ratings
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Appetizers & Snacks
Cuisine American
Servings 8 Servings
Calories 171 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 4 medium tomatoes
  • 1 sheet puff pastry defrosted or refrigerated
  • ½ cup ricotta cheese
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
  • 1 Tablespoon basil
  • ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper
  • Optional for garnish: additional basil or Parmesan cheese

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 400°F. 
  • Slice tomatoes into about 1/4″ slices and lay out on paper towels to drain. 
    4 medium tomatoes
  • Place puff pastry on a sheet of parchment paper. Gently roll out dough slightly with a rolling pin.  Fold over the outer 1/2″ or so of dough, then gently prick the middle with a fork. You don’t want to go all the way through the dough if you can avoid it. 
    1 sheet puff pastry
  • Bake for 10-15 minutes or until a light golden brown. 
  • Meanwhile, finely chop basil. Stir in with ricotta and Parmesan cheese. Spread center section of baked puff pastry. 
    ½ cup ricotta cheese, 1 Tablespoon basil, ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
  • Layer tomato slices over ricotta and sprinkle with salt and pepper. 
    ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper
  • Bake an additional 10-15 minutes or until the puff pastry is a deep golden color.
  • Sprinkle with additional basil or Parmesan if you’d like. Slice and serve. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 171kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 4gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 133mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2g
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Recipe Rating




Carlee

Monday 9th of September 2019

Thank you so much!

Carlee

Monday 9th of September 2019

Thank you!

Of Goats and Greens

Thursday 29th of August 2019

This looks so totally tomato-season refreshing!!!!

Carlee

Monday 9th of September 2019

It really is, thank you!

Amy

Tuesday 27th of August 2019

This looks like a great way to eat tomatoes. I love tomatoes and have plenty on my vines right now. I tend to eat tomatoes and cottage cheese a lot, so this sounds like a welcome change.

Carlee

Monday 9th of September 2019

It is a great way to use them. I love tomatoes and cottage cheese too though!

Debbie

Friday 23rd of August 2019

Hi Carla, this does look good and it's so simple to make. I make something similar but call it a pastry pizza and that goes down well for a quick lunch or at a get together.

xx

Carlee

Monday 9th of September 2019

I would love to see your recipe as well!