Savory Cherry Tomato Galette

This Savory Cherry Tomato Galette is an easy-to-make dish that’s both rustic and elegant. It’s perfect for a light lunch, a weekend brunch, or as an impressive appetizer for dinner parties. The combination of caramelized onions, fresh tomatoes, and a cheesy topping makes this dish an absolute crowd-pleaser.

If you are looking for more delicious brunch options, you might also like my Avocado Toast – Two Ways or Sticky Bun Pull Apart Bread!

Hannah’s garden has exploded with cherry tomatoes this month, and we finally got tired of bruschetta.  Dean wanted me to try a tomato pie but as a rustic galette.  I looked at a lot of tomato pie recipes and did a few experiments to come up with a plan for converting to a galette.  I decided to keep it simple with just caramelized onions and garlic, basil (also from Hannah’s garden), and tomatoes.  Many of the Southern recipes I looked at had some kind of cheesy topping, so I added that as well. 

You could substitute sliced tomatoes, but I really like how the cherry tomatoes give a little pop of flavor when you bite into the pie.  Whichever you use, don’t skip the step of having the tomatoes drain on paper towels before assembling; you don’t want a soggy pie!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy to Make: We’re using a store-bought pie crust, so this galette comes together quickly.
• Bursting with Flavor: Cherry tomatoes and caramelized onions make for a deliciously sweet & savory filling.
• Versatile: This savory galette is perfect as an appetizer, for brunch, as a side dish, or as a light main course.

Ingredients Needed

• Cherry tomatoes: The star ingredient. Fresh from the garden is always best. You can use heirloom or grape tomatoes if desired.
• Vidalia onion: Substitute with yellow onion or shallots.
• Garlic: Adds depth; adjust amount to taste.
• Pie crust: Store-bought works or make my homemade pie crust.
• Fresh basil: Swap with fresh thyme or oregano – any Mediterranean herb works here.
• Shredded cheddar cheese: Gruyère or mozzarella are great alternatives.
• Grated parmesan cheese: Asiago or pecorino can be substituted.
• Mayonnaise: Use full fat. You can use sour cream for a tangier twist.

How to Make Savory Cherry Tomato Galette

This rustic tomato galette is very easy to prepare and makes for a wonderful meatless main or appetizer. For the full printable recipe, check out the recipe card at the end of this post.

1. Preheat oven to 375F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
2. Spread halved cherry tomatoes in one layer on paper towels. Sprinkle with salt and let sit for 15 minutes to drain excess moisture from tomatoes.
3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion for 15 minutes until beginning to caramelize. Add minced garlic and sauté for 2 minutes.
4. Roll the pie crust into a 14-inch circle and transfer to the parchment-lined baking sheet. Spread onion mixture onto the pie crust round, leaving a 2-inch border. Spread halved cherry tomatoes over the onion layer. Sprinkle basil over the tomatoes.

5. Begin folding pie dough over the tomatoes – fold up the 2-inch border in sections, slightly overlapping to keep the round shape.
6. In a small bowl, stir together cheddar, parmesan, and mayonnaise. Spread evenly over the tomatoes.

7. Bake at 375 F for 40 minutes or until the crust is all nice and golden and the cheese mixture has browned on top.
8. Remove from oven and cool for 10 minutes. Slice and serve warm

Helpful Tips

• No Soggy Bottom: Draining the cherry tomatoes on paper towels helps to prevent a soggy crust. Don’t skip this part.
• Pie Crust: If you make pie crust from scratch, make sure it’s well-chilled before rolling out.
• Cheese Topping: Use high-quality mayo and if possible, grate the cheese yourself. Mix the cheese topping just before spreading to keep it fresh.

Storage Information

Refrigerator: Store any leftover galette in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freezer: Galette can also be frozen before baking. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze it for up to 2 months. You can bake it directly from frozen, adding a good 10-15 minutes to the baking time in the recipe card.

Make Ahead: The onion mixture can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in the fridge until you’re ready to bake your galette.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve your cherry tomato galette with a fresh green salad for a light meatless meal.
• Pair with a glass of chilled white wine for an elegant dinner.
• Looking for an extra pretty presentation? Serve it topped with a dollop of crème fraîche or sour cream and some chopped fresh basil.

Variations

• Up the Protein: Top with some cooked bacon, some ham or crumbled sausage for a heartier galette.
• Herb Swap: You can replace basil with rosemary or thyme for a different flavor profile.
• Cheese Variations: If you like strong cheeses, try adding some blue cheese or goat cheese to the topping instead of cheddar.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Savory Brunch Recipes to Try

• Salsa Breakfast Casserole
• Cheddar Bay Breakfast Biscuits
• Big Soft Buttery Pretzels