If you’re not sure what to do with tomatoes this summer, try my Southern version of a Tomato Galette. It’s tomato season and they are everywhere, sweet and juicy all by themselves but even better when baked into a pie or a galette. This Cheesy Tomato Galette has it all, a cheesy mayonnaise mixture, sliced tomatoes and a flaky crust, all baked in a cast iron skillet.
I got the idea to make this in a cast iron skillet when I forgot to put a fruit filled galette on a rimmed baking sheet. The juicy filling seeped out into my oven for a smoky sticky mess. Tomatoes are even juicier than peaches so I thought that baking it in a skillet would ensure that all the juices stayed in the pan and not in my oven! Not only did the cheesy tomato filling stay together, but the cast iron helped the crust turn golden brown and flaky and my smoke detector didn’t go off, always a win in my house.
While the tomatoes are the highlight of a tomato galette, the filling surrounding the tomatoes is amazing and would make my Southern mother-in-law proud.
What is in a Southern tomato pie or galette
The one ingredient, other than tomatoes, that you must have in a Southern tomato pie or galette is mayonnaise. Where did this idea come from, well I can tell you it’s because any true Southerner loves a good tomato sandwich. The only other ingredient on a tomato sandwich is mayonnaise. Ok, I just have to say, YUCK! While I’ve lived in the South since I was 5, I don’t like mayonnaise except in small doses or mixed with something else and Duke’s mayonnaise is a bit too tart for me. I’m a Hellmans’ girl. But I am certainly not putting an inch or so of mayonnaise on tomatoes and white bread. The thought of eating that makes me gag. But from that sandwich, which all other Southerners seem to love, is why you will find mayonnaise in any tomato pie you sample in the South.
For this Cheesy Tomato Galette there is mayonnaise, but it’s mixed with a bit of sour cream, cream cheese, cheddar cheese and gruyere. While the gruyere is not very Southern, it’s my favorite and creates the perfect balance of flavors in this galette.
How do you make Cheesy Tomato Galette
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Start by making a pie crust. You can use a plain pie crust or add some parmesan and black pepper to make it even better. If you’re in a pinch, of course you can grab one from the grocery.
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Slice your tomatoes, any type will work, I like to use a mixture, but any ripe tomato will be amazing. Now for a CRUCIAL step, lay out the tomatoes on a platter and salt them. This will draw out some of the juices, otherwise you will have tomato soup.
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While waiting on the tomatoes, combine your cheese mixture and roll out the pie crust and drape it over the skillet.
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Start your layers with half of the cheese mixture, then tomatoes then top with remaining cheese mixture and bake.
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The final but IMPORTANT step is that it needs to sit for about 30 minutes before eating. If you try to slice it right away, it will be one big gooey delicious mess. If you want pretty slices, be patient.
Can you make this into a pie instead of galette
Still have tomatoes on your counter, here are some more tomato recipes you might enjoy.
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Tomato Pie, for a heartier dish with farro and zucchini.
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Tomato Tart, great for an appetizer.
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Chicken with Mozzarella and Tomatoes, for when you have too many cherry tomatoes.
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Tomato Bourbon Jam, yum!
Cheesy Tomato Galette
Ingredients
PIE CRUST
- 2 ½ cups flour
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 20 tablespoons butter 2 1/2 sticks, chilled and cubed
- ½ cup parmesan cheese grated (optional)
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup Ice cold water
FILLING
- 2-3 ripe tomatoes sliced and salted
- 8 ounces cream cheese room temp
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 3 tablespoons fresh basil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups cheddar cheese grated
- 2 cups gruyere cheese grated
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
PIE CRUST
- Combine flour, sugar and salt in a food processor and combine. Add cold butter cut into 1 inch cubes and process until butter is pea sized. If adding cheese and pepper, add now. Pour in ice cold water and apple cider vinegar and process until just starting to come together. Dump onto plastic wrap and shape into 2 equal rounds. Flatten slightly and refrigerate or freeze until ready to use.
- Preheat oven to 425º.
FiILLING
- Thinly slice tomatoes and place on a platter, sprinkle generously with salt and let sit while making the cheese filling.
- Place cream cheese in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat until smooth. Add mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic and fresh basil and mix until creamy. Add grated cheese and pepper and mix until just combined.
- Roll out pie crust and drape over the iron skillet. Add 1/2 of cheese mixture to the bottom of the pan. Drain the tomatoes and pat dry. Place on top of the cheese layer and top with spoonfuls of the remaining cheese mixture. Sprinkle with pepper.
- Bake for 30 minutes until the cheese is bubbly. Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes before slicing.
This is so flavorful! Absolutely delicious! All I can say is try it!
Thanks Cheryl, so glad you liked it.