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This Heirloom Tomato Cheddar Tart with Everything Spice is the best way to enjoy summer tomatoes and garden fresh herbs. Flaky puff pastry dough topped with homemade basil pesto, melty cheddar cheese, and fresh tomatoes with a light sprinkling of everything spice. So simple and easy, a true summertime delight. Finish with fresh basil, then simply slice, eat, and enjoy!
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If there was ever a tomato tart to make, it’s this. Sometimes, or actually a lot of the time, the simplest recipes are the ones I find to be the most delicious. More times than not, simple recipes highlight a few good ingredients that make the dish really good.
With this heirloom tomato tart, it’s all about fresh basil, summer tomatoes, and good sharp cheddar cheese. Basic ingredients, but when served together, completely delicious.
I’ve been making this recipe on repeat since I originally posted it back in 2016. At this point, it’s a tried and true summer staple. I don’t even need to look at the recipe to make it. It’s that simple and easy.
I make this whenever I’m short on time and/or have bought one too many tomatoes. Or even when the garden has an abundance of basil, as it does now.
I’ve always loved the combo of tomato and cheddar. It’s my childhood comfort food. It takes me back to the days of enjoying a melty tomato cheddar grilled cheese.
Here are the details
Start with the pastry. I use store-bought puff pastry to keep things fast. Roll the pastry, then top with basil pesto and sharp cheddar cheese.
I use the homemade basil pesto from the HBH Every Day cookbook. But you can, of course, use store-bought or your own homemade pesto. It all works as long as there’s plenty of fresh basil involved.
And now, into the oven the pastry goes.
For the tomatoes, the key is to find really good, really juicy heirloom tomatoes. Which is why summertime really is the very best time to make this. I like to use an array of colors: deep reds, orange, and even green.
As soon as the tart comes out of the oven, layer with the fresh sliced tomatoes and high-quality olive oil. Then, if you enjoy the flavor, add a sprinkle of everything spice and sea salt.
And that’s it, simply slice and serve, soft and melty in the center, so delicious. Oh, and be sure to garnish with fresh basil leaves too!
Since the tomatoes are so fresh right now I love leaving them raw and allowing the heat from the tart to warm the tomatoes just slightly. If you have less flavorful tomatoes, the tart will be equally delicious if you bake the tomatoes onto the tart. This will give the tomatoes a touch more flavor.
It’s a little more like pizza then, but I don’t think anyone will be complaining.
Either way, the crust is flaky, and the cheese is crisp around the edges, yet soft and melty in the center. And the tomatoes with a touch of everything seasoning on top are so delicious.
Kind of fancy, but then not so fancy – the perfect mix of both! Enjoy!
Looking for other simple tomato recipes for summer? Here are a few ideas:
Spinach and Artichoke Pizza with Cheesy Bread Crust
Spinach and Artichoke Pita Grilled Cheese
One Pot Baked Spinach and Artichoke Mac and Cheese
Lastly, if you make this Heirloom Tomato Cheddar Tart with Everything Spice, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Heirloom Tomato Cheddar Tart with Everything Spice.
Ingredients
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 1/3 cup basil pesto
- 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 4-6 heirloom tomatoes
- extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
Everything Bagel Spice
- 2 tablespoons toasted white sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon toasted black sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 425° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.2. Lay the pastry on the prepared baking sheet and prick the pastry with a fork. Spread the pesto over the dough, leaving a 1/4-inch border, then top with cheddar. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the pastry is golden and the cheese has melted.3. Remove from the oven and top the tart with tomatoes. Drizzle the tomatoes lightly with olive oil and sprinkle generously with everything bagel spice. Top with fresh basil. Slice and EAT! 🙂
Everything Bagel Spice
- 1. Combine everything in a small bowl or glass jar. Keep stored in a cool, dry place.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
I made this for a friend’s birthday dinner last night and everyone loved it! I served it as a side with salmon and a salad.
Another delicious HBH recipe. Thanks Tieghan!
Hey Nancy,
Happy Sunday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for sharing your review and making it! xxT
Do you have to roll out the puffed pastry before you put on the pesto.
Made this and it was delicious.
Thank you!
Hi Diane,
No, you do not have to roll out the puff pastry, unless you want to and fold the edges like I did with mine, it’s totally optional! I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your review, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Have a great day:)
When I saw this recipe I knew I had to try it! Little did I know how delicious the combination of pesto, cheddar cheese and the tomato would actually be. It would be perfect for Sunday brunch!! I used a pre-made everything bagel mix, just because I had it on hand! I will definitely make this again it’s absolutely delicious and perfect for summer. Yum yum yum
Hi Sarah,
Wonderful! Thanks so much for making this dish and sharing your feedback, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xTieghan
I made this for lunch today. OMG! I couldn’t stop eating it – delicious and so simple to make. I used my homemade pesto. Question – I used Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry, and it seemed kind of small. Is it supposed to be that size? It just looked bigger on your site. I will keep making this. It’s perfect for summer. Thank you!
Hey Carolyn,
Happy Sunday! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe and sharing your feedback! I love to hear that it was enjoyed! Yup, I used the Pepperidge Farm one was well:)☀️
Loved it & so easy to make! I cooked our garden tomatoes instead of adding them at the end. I’ll definitely make this again!
Hey Kathy,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it! Have the best weekend! xxT
Tried this recipe and it was a family hit. It was great nice and light for a hot summer evening.
Hey Renata,
Happy Friday! Thanks a ton for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad it was a hit! ?Tieghan
Yummy
Thanks Bobbie!
Hi Tieghan, wondering if this is the same recipe from 2016? I should have saved it back then and all of the links I posted from it (Pinterest, Facebook) now lead to this. Images are different as well as size of tart. Plus, I don’t recall the 2016 as having cheese on it…I could be wrong.
Thanks
Hi Sally,
Yes, I updated this recipe:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
This is so delicious and so easy to whip up! We had this for dinner along with a Caesar salad last night and it was perfect for a weeknight, summer dinner! I didn’t bother to make the everything spice since I already had a bottle of it. We use it all the time on avocado toast.
Hi Cindy,
I really appreciate you giving this dish a try, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed! Hope you’re having a great Wednesday! xT
This was absoluteY wonderful! Served with Nonni’s apricot spicy chicken. So many wonderful flavors! Will definitely make again with all our tomato’s coming in from the garden????
Hey Kim,
Thanks a lot for trying this recipe out and sharing your feedback, I love to hear that it was a winner! xTieghan
This was absolutely delicious! I added shredded zucchini in between the pesto and cheese and added some crispy prosciutto on top!
Hey Shauna,
Thanks a lot for trying this recipe out and sharing your feedback, I love to hear that it was a winner! xTieghan
I cook your meals regularly. I often use your meals as “the ones I cook for the in-laws. That’s says a lot. Ha!
Thanks again!
Been cooking your meals regularly for over two years now and wow. Five pounds heavier but really satisfied! ?
Hey Ashley,
LOL thanks so much for making the recipes:) xx
Made this yesterday with my homemade pesto and it was top notch! Simple, and oh so delicious. Thank you for always inspiring and beautiful recipes! @galagirlnc
Hi Gayle,
Thanks a lot for trying this recipe out and sharing your feedback, I love to hear that it was a winner! xTieghan
This is super easy and fast, and also really delicious! I love how it is a bit like pizza, but also really fresh and zingy with the tomatoes ??
Hey there,
Happy Monday!! I really appreciate you trying this recipe out, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Have a great week:)
This was easy and delicious! All your recipes give me confidence to cook more.
Hey Bethany,
I am so glad you have been enjoying the recipes, thanks for making them! Have a great week! xTieghan