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.

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.

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.

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!

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 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.

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.

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

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.


Flaky Ricotta and Fresh Tomato Tart
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Layer tomato slices over ricotta and sprinkle with 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

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!