Southern Tomato Pie

Southern Tomato Pie is the ultimate comfort food made with fresh garden tomatoes, bacon, caramelized onions, fresh basil, and topped with a gooey cheese mixture.

Tomato season is underway, and creating a dish full of ripe tomatoes is always a must. Tomato pie is made throughout most of the south and always seems to make an appearance at brunch, lunch, or cookouts. 

What Is Tomato Pie?

This southern tomato pie recipe is a great way to use an overabundance of fresh summer tomatoes. It’s classic comfort food with layers of ripe tomatoes, basil, and a cheesy mixture baked into a pie crust until the top of the pie is golden brown that is not only tasty but hard to resist. Delightful as a light dinner or served as a side dish at your next family gathering. 

Tomatoes for Tomato Pie

Tomatoes come in various shapes and sizes, but as long as they are fresh tomatoes and flavorful, any combination of tomatoes will work. Use what you have in your garden, or grab some from the farmer’s market. A few of my favorite fresh ripe tomatoes might be heirloom tomatoes, beefsteak, Roma tomatoes, and my homegrown tomatoes. The kind of tomatoes you choose is up to you, but sweet summer tomatoes are the best.

Prepare the Tomatoes-A Classic Summer Recipe

The key to a great tomato pie is to remove some excess juices before you bake it. This step is essential and will ensure the best results. First, slice the tomatoes (thin slices) and lay them on a baking sheet lined with paper towels in a single layer. Next, sprinkle with a little salt to draw out the tomato juices. Let sit for 10-15 minutes. Lastly, use fresh paper towels to pat dry the tomatoes and remove most of the juices, so the pie doesn’t turn out soggy.

Tomatoes are high in water content, so it is important to remove as much liquid from juicy tomatoes as possible. This will also help prevent the bottom of the crust from becoming soggy.

Ingredients Needed

This is just a quick overview of the ingredients. For a detailed list, refer to the recipe card below.

This is a very easy tomato pie recipe, and the ingredients can be found at your local grocery store, farmer’s market, or your own garden.

Tomatoes— fresh garden tomatoes are the best. Roma, Beefsteak, Celebrity, and a wide variety of other tomatoes will work for this recipe. Use your favorite. Save the green ones for fried green tomatoes.

Basil– There is so much flavor in basil, and it pairs nicely with tomatoes. Fresh basil leaves are chopped for this pie, and a few are used for the top. Add more fresh herbs if desired.

Onion– My favorite choice is Vidalia onion. These are only in season for a short time, but grab one if your can. If not, any yellow onion or sweet onion will work nicely.

Cheese– Mild or sharp cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese are my favorite cheeses for this savory pie. 

Bacon- Fry until crispy and then crumble.

Ready-Made Pie Crust– I use a frozen pie crust (deep dish).

Seasonings– Salt and black pepper are the only seasonings used in this dish.

Mayonnaise and Sour Cream– These two ingredients add moisture and creaminess to this savory southern tomato pie.

How to Make an Old Fashioned Tomato Pie

For complete instructions, see the recipe card at the bottom.

1. Par-bake the crust.
2. Slice, salt, and drain tomatoes.
3. Fry the bacon and caramelize the onion.
4. Mix the cheese mixture.
5. Assemble the pie.
6. Bake.

Recipe Tips and Variations for the Best Savory Tomato Pie

*Par-bake the crust before adding tomatoes.

*Slice, salt, and let tomatoes sit to draw out juices. This will prevent the crust from getting soggy. Tomatoes have a lot of moisture and will make your pie soupy if the juices are not removed. Start by salting the tomato slices to help draw out water and juice. Allow them to drain for at least 15 minutes, and pat them dry before adding them to your crust.

*Caramelize the onions before adding them to the pie.

*Use a deep-dish pie shell. A store-bought shell will work just fine. It’s easy, convenient, and perfect for this recipe. 

* Use mayonnaise and sour cream for added creaminess. 

* I used cheddar and mozzarella cheeses for this recipe. Feel free to use your favorites.

*Like a bit of spice? Add some diced jalapenos to the pie.

*Add some thinly sliced green onions to the mayonnaise mixture.

*Feel free to make a homemade pie crust if desired. I use a store-bought crust for convenience.

How to Store Leftover Southern Tomato Pie

If you find yourself with any leftover tomato pie, simply cool the pie to room temperature, wrap the tomato pie in the pie pan with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

The next time you’re looking for a way to use up all those homegrown summertime tomatoes, look no further than a simple yet impressive tomato pie. Savory and full of flavor, cheesy, and most definitely southern. 

Recipe FAQs

What to Serve with Southern Tomato Pie

A side salad, corn salad, potato wedges, or fried green beans are all choices that pair well with this pie. 

More Tomato Dishes

Caprese Salad

Fried Green Tomatoes

Tomato Gravy