Heirloom Tomato Galette with TomaProvence and Basil

Summer is for Tomato Lovers and this Heirloom Tomato Galette with TomaProvence and Basil is a simple yet classic way to savor the best of this seasonal fruit. I love a savory tomato galette for a simple and understated supper and it couldn't be easier to put together for an easy weeknight meal.

Whether you're growing tomatoes in your home garden, receiving a few baskets in a weekly CSA delivery, or spying them at the local farmers market stands, this is a recipe you'll return to again and again.

I personally love the ease of using store bought pie crust to cradle the thick slices of heirloom tomatoes paired with the deliciously melty TomaProvence from Point Reyes Cheese. While this post is not sponsored, this is definitely a cheese you should try for this recipe. Let's get to making it!

The Tomato Galette to Make for Summer

What makes this summer tomato recipe stand out is the simplicity of it's ingredients. As you'll see in the recipe card below, we're really relying on just three--yes, three--ingredients. That said, the quality of these ingredients will be vitally important for crafting a savory galette that is easier than pie to make but impresive enough for entertaining.

Key things to note: we can be flexible with the cheese options here. Perhaps goat cheese in lieu of the TomaProvence? Scroll down for my notes about tomato varieties and how to keep your galette from becoming soggy (no one wants that!) so that you have the perfect vegetarian dinner idea for a summer weeknight.

What is a Galette?

A galette is a rustic French pastry that is known widely for its simplicity and free-form approach to traditional pie or tart making. I love it for the simple fact that I don't need a pie dish or tart pan to assemble.

Instead, the dough is rolled out into a circle then filled with our choice or sweet or savory fillings. The edges are folded over before baking. The end result is a beautifully imperfect pastry that yields a golden, flaky crust.

Why Galettes Are Such a Great Meal Idea

One of the many reasons I reach for the galette form in pastry making is its versatile adaptability with toppings and ease of assembly. I love making a savory galette recipe during summer and making it as a simple meal served alongside summer greens and a bright vinaigrette.

The beauty of making a galette is that you can swap cheese varieties, experiment with different herbs, or add whatever seasonal vegetables are overflowing from your garden or CSA box. Once you learn the basic technique for making a galette, the possibilities truly change with the seasons.

A Galette for Every Season

Whether filled with ripe fruit or savory vegetables, a rustic galette allows fresh, high-quality ingredients to take center stage. Below are variations I've made within a given season:

• Winter: Braised Kale, Broccoli Pesto, Parmesan, Shredded Roast Chicken
• Spring: Asparagus, Morel Mushrooms, Gruyere or TomaTruffle Cheese
• Summer: Zucchini with Ricotta, Fresh Herbs, and Pesto Dollops
• Autumn: Sliced Apple with Cheddar and Fresh Thyme or Butternut Squash with Gruyere or TomaProvence Cheese

Click on a few recipes below for additional inspiration!

Ingredient List for this Heirloom Tomato Galette

For this galette, we need just 3 ingredients. Yes. Just three. Now instead of listing them out, I'm going to dig into each ingredient in more depth and highlight how the quality of ingredients really matter when it comes to both the simplicity and the delicious flavors savored in this galette.

Heirloom Tomatoes

Heirloom tomatoes are the star of this galette. They bring a depth of flavor that is difficult to match with conventional varieties. The taste of an heirloom tomato is also unparalleled, ranging from sweet and fruity to rich with a slight tang that creates a more complex bite in every slice. Because they're harvested at peak ripeness during the height of summer, heirloom tomatoes showcase the kind of fresh, vibrant flavor that makes seasonal cooking so rewarding.

Their firm and juicy texture also softens beautifully in the oven. And yet they still hold their shape that helps to create a filling that's tender and not at all mushy. I love using a mix of colorful heirloom tomato varieties like the deep red Brandywines, to the bright orange and yellow hues of the German Stripe, to the rich hues of the Cherokee Purple.

Tomato Tips

When you're shopping at the farmers market or harvesting from your own garden, don't worry about finding the perfectly round or unblemished tomatoes. One of the joys of the heirloom varieties is that their bumps, ridges, and unique shapes tell the story of how they were grown. For tips on what to do if you find tomatoes that are split or cracked, see this previous post.

Look for tomatoes that feel heavy for their size and have a slight give when (very) gently squeezed. This is a sign they're ripe and ready to savor. If you bring home an assortment of colors and varieties, you'll be sure to have a tomato galette that full of vibrant flavor and celebrates the beauty of summer's harvest.

TomaProvence Cheese

The TomaProvence Cheese from Point Reyes Cheese brings a buttery, rich flavor to this galette and the herbs included pair beautifully with the sweet heirloom tomatoes and fresh basil. As the galette bakes, the cheese melts into a creamy layer that adds a touch of richness without overpowering the fresh flavors of the tomatoes. It also helps craft a barrier between the pastry and the tomatoes, helping absorb their juices while keeping the bottom of the pie crust crisp and flaky.

If TomaProvence isn't available, don't hesitate to substitute for another flavorful melty cheese. Fontina, gruyere, gouda, and havarti are great varieties that offer a similarly creamy texture and compliment the flavors of summer tomatoes. For a tangier flavor, you can also opt for goat cheese or combine fresh mozzarella and grated parmesan for a more classic pairing. Use what's in season and what is locally available to you to craft a galette that's uniquely your own.

Prepared Pie Crust

Keeping this dish super easy to pull together on a weeknight, we can save some time and opt for store bought crust here. I like keeping a few store-bought pre-made pie crusts on hand for exactly this purpose. You can thaw out the crust in the refrigerator in a couple hours and it's ready to use.

You can also opt to make your own pie crust. For my easy, buttery, and flaky savory crust recipe, check out the one I have here.

Additional accents that help this dish to stand out include:

• Fresh basil. Fresh summertime flavors are essential and this is the time of year I'll use fresh basil leaves to finish the galette over dried.
• Flaked sea salt. I love the Maldon Flaky Sea Salt that is the perfect finishing salt for any dish.
• Dried herbs de provence. I like to sprinkle a bit along the edges of the galette for both flavor and presentation. It looks so beautiful once baked.

How to Keep Your Tomato Galette from Getting Soggy

No one wants a soggy tomato galette. Here are two key practices I employ to keep our Heirloom Tomato Galette from becoming sad and soggy.

1. Allow time to draw out excess moisture from tomatoes. Lining slices of tomatoes on a paper towel lined plate will help reduce excess moisture in the galette and prevent it from becoming soggy.
2. Using a cheese like gruyere or parmesan that allows for the cheese to melt but also help craft a barrier between the tomatoes and the pastry.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This Heirloom Tomato Galette is ready in under an hour and makes for an impressively easy, elegant weeknight meal. Here's how we make it:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Roll out pie crust to 9 inches in diameter. Grate and sprinkle about 1 cup of the TomaProvence onto the center of the rolled out store-bought pie dough.
• Layer the juicy heirloom tomatoes from your CSA box or farmers market haul onto the cheese, leaving about a 2 inch border around the galette.
• Fold the edges, brush with a quick egg wash and sprinkle edges with flaky salt and herbs de Provence. Bake at 400°F for ~35 mins until golden brown and bubbly.
• Finish with a drizzle of your favorite olive oil + torn basil leaves.

What to Serve with a Tomato Galette

An Heirloom Tomato Galette is a wonderful main course served alongside a seasonal side salad. I like this salad with cherries for the early summer season. You could also opt to host a Tomato Party and serve this galette with a deliciously seasonal Caprese Salad!

I might also serve this as a starter before a main course of grilled steak with potatoes and green beans with a sorrel butter for an al fresco menu for a summer gathering. Your options are pretty vast here!

Storage and Reheating Tips

This Heirloom Tomato Galette is really at its best the day you make it. If serving at a party, I doubt there will be leftovers. But, if there are any slices of this savory tomato galette remaining, gently wrap them in foil and keep stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

To reheat, I would reheat in a preheated 350 degree Fahrenheit oven for about 10-15 minutes until warmed through.

More Summer Tomato Recipes