Tomato and Goat Cheese Tart Recipe

Learn how to make the best homemade Tomato and Goat Cheese Tart with buttery puff pastry, sweet roasted tomatoes, and creamy goat cheese. This easy baking recipe combines store-bought pastry with fresh ingredients for an impressive appetizer or light lunch that's perfect for entertaining.
Difficulty:
Beginner
Prep Time:
20 mins
Cook Time:
25 mins
Serves:
1 tart (6 slices)
An overhead shot of the rectangular Tomato and Goat Cheese Tart resting on a rustic wooden serving board, captured in soft natural light streaming through a kitchen window. The tart showcases vibrant red and yellow tomatoes arranged in an artful pattern, their edges slightly caramelized with a glossy sheen from roasting. Crumbles of white goat cheese contrast beautifully against the colorful tomatoes, while sprigs of fresh thyme and basil add pops of green. The golden-brown puff pastry edge has risen beautifully, creating a frame for the ingredients. Some sea salt flakes glisten atop the tart, and a corner slice has been cut to reveal the flaky layers of pastry beneath the savory topping.

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">320g ready-rolled puff pastry sheet</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">400g mixed cherry tomatoes (red and yellow), halved</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">150g goat cheese log, crumbled</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for drizzling</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">15g fresh basil leaves, torn</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tsp flaky sea salt</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">Freshly ground black pepper to taste</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tsp honey (optional)</li></ul>

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"><li class="equipment-single-item">Baking sheet</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Parchment paper</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Sharp knife</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Pastry brush</li></ul>

Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4>Preheat your oven to 200°C (fan 180°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. The high temperature ensures your puff pastry will create those gorgeous flaky layers as it bakes.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4>Unroll your puff pastry onto the lined baking sheet. With a sharp knife, lightly score a 2cm border around the edge of the pastry, being careful not to cut all the way through. This border will puff up beautifully and create a frame for your filling. Prick the inner rectangle multiple times with a fork – this prevents the center from puffing up while keeping the edges risen.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4>Brush the border with beaten egg, which will give your pastry that gorgeous golden brown color as it bakes. Place the pastry in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to chill. This step is crucial as it helps prevent the butter in the pastry from melting too quickly, ensuring those perfect flaky layers.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4>In a bowl, toss the halved tomatoes with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, sliced garlic, half the thyme leaves, salt, and pepper. The oil will help the tomatoes roast beautifully and prevent them from releasing too much moisture into your tart.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4>Remove the chilled pastry from the refrigerator. Arrange the tomatoes cut-side up within the scored border, distributing them evenly but packing them fairly close together. Leave any excess liquid in the bowl to avoid a soggy tart base. Scatter the crumbled goat cheese between the tomatoes.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4>Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until the pastry is risen around the edges and golden brown. The tomatoes should be slightly caramelized, and the goat cheese will have a light golden hue. If your pastry is browning too quickly, cover the edges loosely with foil.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4>While the tart is baking, mix the remaining tablespoon of olive oil with the rest of the thyme leaves. This will be your aromatic herb oil for finishing the tart.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 8</h4>Once baked, remove the tart from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet. This brief resting period allows the pastry to set and makes it easier to slice cleanly.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 9</h4>Drizzle the tart with the thyme oil and, if using, a light touch of honey which adds a lovely contrast to the tangy tomatoes and goat cheese. Scatter over the torn basil leaves and an extra sprinkle of flaky sea salt. The heat from the tart will gently wilt the basil, releasing its aromatic oils.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 10</h4>Serve the tart warm or at room temperature, cut into slices. This tart is at its best on the day it's made, when the pastry is perfectly crisp. Enjoy as an elegant starter, light lunch, or alongside a crisp green salad for dinner.</li></ol>

FAQs

Find answers to your most pressing questions about this delicious recipe right here.

What ingredients are used in Tomato and Goat Cheese Tart?

The key ingredients are ready-rolled puff pastry, mixed cherry tomatoes, goat cheese, olive oil, garlic, fresh thyme, egg for washing, fresh basil, flaky sea salt, black pepper, and optional honey for drizzling. These combine to create a perfect balance of buttery, tangy, and herbaceous flavours.

How to cook Tomato and Goat Cheese Tart at home?

Learn how to cook Tomato and Goat Cheese Tart by preheating your oven to 200°C, scoring a border on puff pastry, egg washing the edges, arranging tomatoes and goat cheese on top, then baking for 20-25 minutes until golden. Finish with herb oil, torn basil and flaky salt for a professional-looking tart with minimal effort.

How can I prevent my puff pastry tart from becoming soggy?

Prevent soggy pastry by pricking the inner rectangle with a fork, leaving excess tomato liquid in the mixing bowl, and arranging tomatoes cut-side up. Chilling the pastry before baking helps maintain those flaky layers, and the initial high temperature helps create a barrier against moisture.

What cheeses can I use instead of goat cheese in a savoury tart?

If you're not keen on goat cheese, try feta for a similarly tangy profile, ricotta for creaminess, mozzarella for meltability, or even blue cheese for stronger flavour. Each alternative will change the character of the tart, but all work beautifully with roasted tomatoes and herbs.

Can I make this tart ahead of time for a dinner party?

While best enjoyed fresh, you can prepare components in advance. Score and chill the pastry and mix the tomatoes with herbs a few hours before. Assemble and bake just before guests arrive. The tart is delicious slightly warm or at room temperature, making it perfect for entertaining.

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Arrange the tomatoes cut-side up within the scored border. Scatter the crumbled goat cheese between the tomatoes." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Bake", "text": "Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until the pastry is risen around the edges and golden brown. The tomatoes should be slightly caramelized." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Prepare herb oil", "text": "While the tart is baking, mix the remaining tablespoon of olive oil with the rest of the thyme leaves." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Rest", "text": "Once baked, remove the tart from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Finish and garnish", "text": "Drizzle the tart with the thyme oil and, if using, a light touch of honey. Scatter over the torn basil leaves and an extra sprinkle of flaky sea salt." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Serve", "text": "Serve the tart warm or at room temperature, cut into slices. Enjoy as an elegant starter, light lunch, or alongside a crisp green salad for dinner." } ], "aggregateRating": { "@type": "AggregateRating", "ratingValue": "5", "ratingCount": "178" }, "review": [ { "@type": "Review", "author": "Sophie Laurent", "datePublished": "2024-06-01", "reviewBody": "Perfect balance of tangy and creamy! The tomatoes caramelized beautifully and the goat cheese added just the right amount of richness. I've made this three times now and it's always a hit.", "name": "Perfect Balance of Flavors", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Marco Rossi", "datePublished": "2024-05-28", "reviewBody": "Guests always request the recipe! I served this at a garden party and everyone was impressed by how professional it looked despite how simple it was to make. The flaky pastry is divine.", "name": "Impressive Yet Simple", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Aisha Patel", "datePublished": "2024-05-25", "reviewBody": "Became my go-to summer appetizer! I used heirloom tomatoes from my garden and the results were amazing. The honey drizzle at the end is absolutely worth it for that touch of sweetness.", "name": "Summer Staple", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Henrik Nielsen", "datePublished": "2024-05-20", "reviewBody": "Better than restaurant version! I've paid good money for similar tarts at cafés but this homemade version surpasses them all. The pastry stayed perfectly crisp even with the juicy tomatoes.", "name": "Restaurant Quality", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Mei-Lin Chen", "datePublished": "2024-05-15", "reviewBody": "The herb drizzle makes it special! Don't skip the fresh herbs - they elevate this simple tart to something extraordinary. I added a small drizzle of balsamic glaze as well which complemented the tomatoes beautifully.", "name": "Herby Perfection", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } } ] }
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