Southern Soul Food Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. 
Serving Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Tomato Pie
A savory pie layered with fresh tomatoes, herbs, and a cheesy mayo topping.
Contains common allergens
In the app, Listahan checks these against your household automatically.
Instructions
6 steps- 1
Salt the sliced tomatoes and let them drain on paper towels for 20 to 30 minutes to remove excess liquid, patting dry afterward.
- 2
Heat the oven to 375 F (190 C).
- 3
Layer the drained tomato slices in the blind-baked crust, seasoning lightly with pepper as you go.
- 4
Mix the shredded cheeses with the mayonnaise and basil, then spread evenly over the tomatoes.
- 5
Bake until the top is golden and bubbling, 30 to 35 minutes.
- 6
Let rest 10 minutes before slicing so it sets up cleanly.
Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Listahan Family Score™
72/100
Good fit for most families
Score reflects how well this recipe fits a typical busy household. In the app, your Family Score is personalized to your household's allergens, kids, and pantry.
Nutrition
per serving380
Calories
11 g
Protein
6 g
Carbs
35 g
Fat
Estimated per serving. Actual values depend on the brands and portions you use.
Listahan cooking guide
Chef notes & practical guide
Technique notes, ingredient swaps, serve-alongside ideas, storage guidance, and equipment for this recipe.
Cultural context
Southern tomato pie is a late-summer dish built to use a glut of ripe garden tomatoes, layering them in a pie crust under a melt of cheese and mayonnaise. It is firmly a seasonal Southern tradition, made when tomatoes are at their peak and best eaten warm or at room temperature.
Listahan note
This version insists on slicing and draining the tomatoes before they go in the crust, which is the single step that keeps the pie from turning watery and soaking the bottom.
Technique cues
- Salting and draining the tomato slices pulls out the water that would otherwise weep into the crust and make it soggy.
- The cheese-and-mayo topping is spread over the tomatoes so it seals them and browns into a savory crust as the pie bakes.
- Using ripe in-season tomatoes matters because their concentrated flavor carries the whole pie, while watery off-season tomatoes leave it bland.
Kitchen flow
- Parallel prep
- Set the salted tomatoes to drain while the crust pre-bakes so both are ready at once.
- Make-ahead
- Pre-bake the crust and drain the tomatoes a few hours ahead, then assemble and bake near serving.
- Leftover move
- Reheat a slice and tuck it into a fried-egg breakfast or eat it cold like a tart.
- Cleanup rhythm
- Toss the tomato-draining towels and rinse the grater right after assembly to avoid dried cheese.
Ingredient brief
Role, handling, and swap guidance for each key ingredient.
Fresh tomatoes
Main filling
Purpose: Their ripe sweet-acid flavor is the heart of the pie and cannot be faked.
Handling: Slice, salt, and drain on paper towels to shed excess juice before layering.
Adaptation: Drained canned tomatoes work off-season but lose the fresh garden taste.
Pie crust
Vessel
Purpose: It holds the filling and provides a flaky contrast to the soft tomatoes.
Handling: Pre-bake the crust until lightly golden so it resists the moist filling.
Adaptation: A puff-pastry shell crisps even more but changes the texture.
Cheddar cheese
Savory topping
Purpose: Melted into the mayo it browns into the rich crown that defines the pie.
Handling: Grate it fresh and fold into the mayo for an even, spreadable top.
Adaptation: Gruyere or a cheddar-mozzarella blend melts well with a different flavor.
Mayo
Binder
Purpose: It binds the cheese topping and bastes the tomatoes with richness as it bakes.
Handling: Mix it with the cheese and a little pepper just before spreading.
Adaptation: Greek yogurt lightens it but browns less and tastes tangier.
Basil
Herb accent
Purpose: Its fresh perfume brightens the rich cheese-and-tomato layers.
Handling: Tear or chiffonade and scatter over the tomatoes before topping.
Adaptation: Fresh oregano or chives give a different but welcome herbal note.
Technique notes
- Salt the tomato slices and let them sit at least 15 minutes, then blot them dry; this is the difference between a sliceable pie and a soggy one.
- Layer the tomatoes in a single overlapping ring so the pie bakes evenly and cuts into clean wedges.
- Let the baked pie rest 10 to 15 minutes before slicing so the filling sets and does not slide out.
Ingredient swaps
- Lighter direction
- Cut the mayo with Greek yogurt; the topping is tangier and browns a little less but feels lighter.
- Gluten-free direction
- Use a gluten-free pie crust; pre-bake it a touch longer since these crusts soften faster under the filling.
- Dairy-free direction
- Use a dairy-free cheese and vegan mayo; the topping browns less but the tomato layers still shine.
Serve alongside
- Crisp green salad
- Cucumber and onion in vinegar
- Corn on the cob
- Cold fried chicken
- Iced tea with lemon
- Crisp white wine
- Sparkling water with basil
Serving suggestions only — check pairings for your household's allergens.
Storage & reheating
- Refrigerate covered for up to 3 days; the crust softens over time.
- Reheat slices in a 325 degree oven to re-crisp the crust rather than the microwave.
- Freezing is not recommended because the tomatoes weep and the crust turns soggy on thaw.
Equipment
- Pie dish
- Box grater
- Colander or paper towels for draining
- Sharp serrated knife for slicing tomatoes
Make this household-aware
Listahan Pro checks this recipe against your household's allergens, finds pantry-aware swaps, builds the shopping list, and helps you plan the week around it.
Plan it in Listahan
Add Tomato Pie to your week, check it against your household's allergens, and build the shopping list automatically.
More Southern Soul Food recipes
Southern Soul Food Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Caramel Cake
A tender Southern layer cake blanketed in glossy, old-fashioned cooked caramel frosting that sets to a fudgy finish.
Southern Soul Food Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Sweet Tea
Quench your thirst with a frosty glass of authentic Southern sweet tea, perfectly brewed for smoothness and sweetness. Nothing cools down a hot summer day quite like it.
Southern Soul Food Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Smothered Pork Chops
Feast on pan-seared pork chops braised to fork-tender perfection, completely enveloped in a deeply caramelized, savory onion gravy. Serve over rice or mashed potatoes for maximum comfort.