Category: Savoury Tart and Pie Recipes

Follow the links for lots of savoury tart and pie recipes.  Or have a look at the Recipe Index for lots of other brilliant easy recipes!

This is the place to find pie, quiche and savoury tart recipes.  I love pastry-based recipes.  They are so comforting and look much more difficult than they are!   They can also be made in advance and eaten at room-temperature or warmed up.  Easily transportable,they are perfect for picnics, lunch-boxes and buffets.

I tend to make my own pastry.  However, all my recipes can be made with ready-made pastry if you don’t want to make your own.

Tarts, Tartlets and Pies – Savoury

Garlic Tart

Garlic Tart

This is a truly garlicky Garlic Tart!   Garlic haters, step away now as this is a celebration of garlicky delights.    I came up with this recipe because I wanted a tart where garlic was truly the star of the show.  It includes caramelised garlic cloves and  a savoury garlic-flavoured custard.  Although it does include cheese, its flavour is a background note.  Toasted pine-nuts are included on top to add a bit of crunch texture.

You can eat this tart at room temperature or hot from the oven. Have it for a simple supper or lunch. It is also great for picnics, buffets and lunch-boxes. You can make it ahead of time which makes it very convenient when you are entertaining.

What you need to know about this recipe

  • I generally make my own pastry. I was a late learner when it came to pastry and for years used ready-made versions. However, a few years ago I decided I had to get to grips with pastry-making and discovered how easy it is. So, if you have the time to make your own pastry, it is really worth doing as the taste will be much better than anything you can buy in the shops. However, if you don’t have the time or inclination, you can make this recipe using ready-made pastry and it will still taste pretty good.
  • Whether you are making your own pastry or using ready-made, it is really important to bake the empty pastry case in the oven for 15 minutes before you add the filling (step 3). This sets the pastry and means that it is properly cooked so it will be crisp and delicious rather than soft and soggy.
  • It is really garlicky! It uses three bulbs – yes, bulbs, not cloves – of garlic. This sounds like a lot of garlic. Actually, it is a lot of garlic! However, the cloves are blanched and then caramelised before being cooked in the tart. You end up with a rich, mellow garlic flavour which is not overpowering.
Other quiche and tart recipes

Savoury tarts and quiches are a fantastic, cook-ahead simple supper or lunch. They are easy to make and are great either hot or at room temperature. They can also be easily divided into portions if you are feeding a large number of people. Easily transportable, they also make a good addition to lunch-boxes or basis for a picnic. Some of my favourites are listed below.

Loved this recipe? Checkout the Recipe Index.

Garlic Tart recipe

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Garlic Tart

Garlic Tart

  • Author: Tastebotanical
  • Prep Time: 15
  • Cook Time: 35
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 8
  • Category: Tart
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: English
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Description

This Garlic Tart contains caramelised garlic cloves set in a savoury garlic-flavoured custard in a crisp pasty case and is topped with toasted pinenuts.

Ingredients

Scale

For the pastry:

  • 275 g (10 oz) plain flour
  • 125 g (4 oz) fat (I use a mix of half butter and half Trex as I think this makes the lightest pastry)
  • Salt and pepper
  • A little water

For the filling:

  • 3 bulbs garlic (Note: bulbs not cloves – you need a lot of garlic for this recipe!)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 tablespoon balasamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 75 g (3 oz) strong cheddar or another hard cheese
  • 200 ml (7 fl oz) cream
  • 1 tablespoon of pine nuts

Instructions

  1. Set your oven to 180 C, 350 F or Gas Mark 4.
  2. Make the pastry. Put the flour in a bowl.  Add the fat and combine –  either by “rubbing in” by hand or processing – until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.  Season with salt and pepper.  Add a little cold water (2-3 tbsp) and shape the mixture into a dough.
  3. Roll out your pastry and use it to line your quiche or flan dish.   Bake for 20  minutes in the oven to allow the pastry to “set”.  This will stop the filling making it soggy!
  4. Separate your garlic bulbs into individual cloves. You do not need to peel them at this stage.  Take two cloves of garlic from one of your bulbs and set aside (See step 7).
  5. Place the remaining cloves in a pan of boiling water. Boil for 3 mins.  Remove the cloves and allow to cool for a few minutes.  Remove the skins.
  6. Heat the olive oil in a small frying pan. Add the skinned garlic cloves.  Season with salt and pepper and fry for 5 minutes until soft and golden.   Then add the balsamic vinegar and brown sugar and cook gently for a further 2 minutes until brown and sticky.
  7. Crack the eggs into a mixing bowl, add the cream, and beat until combined.  Finely grate the cheddar cheese and add to the mixture.  Peel and crush the two reserved garlic cloves and add to the mixture.
  8. Now place the caramelised garlic cloves in your pastry case.  Pour the egg mixture over them.
  9. Place your quiche or flan dish in the oven and cook for 25 minutes.   At the end of this time, scatter the pinenuts on the top of the tart and cook for a further 5 minutes.
  10. The tart can be eaten hot, room temperature or cold.

Keywords: garlic tart, garlic, vegetarian

Tomato Tart

tomato tart

Fresh Tomato Tart

This Tomato Tart showcases both the look and taste of sweet, seasonal tomatoes.   A pastry case holds the sliced tomatoes which are surrounded by a savoury custard made with eggs, cream and strong cheddar cheese. A few chopped chives are added to enhance the flavour.

This Tomato Tart can be eaten hot, warm or at room temperature. It is a great vegetarian make-ahead recipe which can be served at lunch or dinner or taken on a picnic.

I make a lot of tomato-based dishes but in many of them the tomatoes are reduced to a sauce.  The taste is great but it doesn’t look so pretty!  My aim was to create a tart where their beauty and variety could be seen as well as their taste enjoyed. There are so many different varieties now available in stores, or to grow in your garden, in such a range of sizes and colours from yellow to orange to deep red.   They look beautiful and are great eaten  just as they are in salads or as an accompaniment to cold dishes.  However,  I came up with the idea for my Tomato Tart  because I wanted a cooked dish which retained their beautiful colours and shapes as well as highlighting their taste.

Tomato tart, tomato quiche,

What you need to know about this Tomato Tart recipe

  • I generally make my own pastry. I was a late learner when it came to pastry and for years used ready-made versions. However, a few years ago I decided I had to get to grips with pastry-making and discovered how easy it is. So, if you have the time to make your own pastry, it is really worth doing as the taste will be much better than anything you can buy in the shops. However, if you don’t have the time or inclination, you can make this recipe using ready-made pastry and it will still taste pretty good.
  • Whether you are making your own pastry or using ready-made, it is really important to bake the empty pastry case in the oven for 15 minutes before you add the filling (step 3). This sets the pastry and means that it is properly cooked so it will be crisp and delicious rather than soft and soggy.
  • You can easily remove the skins from the tomatoes by immersing them in boiling water and then cooling them down in cold water (step 4). Make sure that you don’t leave them in the boiling water for too long or they will start to cook and may go a bit mushy.
  • I use a strong, extra-mature cheddar cheese in this recipe. You can use other hard cheeses but make sure you use one with a strong flavour. You need this to balance the sweetness of the tomatoes.
  • In this recipe, I add chopped chives to the Tomato Tart. I often add chives to a tomato salad and think that the combination works well together. However, you could use other herbs if you prefer. I think basil or oregano would be good alternatives.

Loved this recipe? Check out the Recipe Index

Other quiche and tart recipes

Savoury tarts and quiches are a fantastic, cook-ahead simple supper or lunch. They are easy to make and are great either hot or at room temperature. They can also be easily divided into portions if you are feeding a large number of people. Easily transportable, they also make a good addition to lunch-boxes or basis for a picnic. Some of my favourites are listed below.

Tomato tart
Tomato tart

Fresh Tomato Tart recipe

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tomato tart

Tomato Tart

★★★★★ 5 from 1 reviews
  • Author: Tastebotanical
  • Prep Time: 20
  • Cook Time: 40
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 1 tart serving 8 people 1x
  • Category: Tart
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: English
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Description

This make-ahead, vegetarian Tomato Tart using sweet, juicy tomatoes, fresh chives and tangy cheese is the perfect choice for a summer lunch or picnic.

Ingredients

Scale

For the pastry:

  • 275 g (10 oz) plain flour
  • 125 g (4 oz) fat (I use a mix of half butter and half Trex as I think this makes the lightest pastry)
  • Salt
  • A little water

For the filling:

  • 150 ml (5 fluid oz) double cream
  • 4 eggs
  • 150 g (5 oz) strong cheddar cheese (grated)
  • Salt and pepper
  • A large bunch of fresh chives (around 15 stems)
  • 6–7 assorted tomatoes – I use various sizes and colours as I think it looks nice!

Instructions

  1. Set your oven to 180 C, 350 F or Gas Mark 4.
  2. Make the pastry. Put the flour in a bowl.  Add the fat and combine –  either by “rubbing in” by hand or processing – until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.  Season with salt and pepper.  Add a little cold water (2-3 tbsp) and shape the mixture into a dough.
  3. Roll out your pastry and use it to line your quiche or flan dish.   Bake for 15  minutes in the oven to allow the pastry to “set”.  This will stop the filling making it soggy.
  4. Remove the skins from your tomatoes.  I find the easiest way to do this is to immersing them in boiling water for around 1 minute and then immersing in cold water to cool them down (so that they are not too hot to handle and do not continue to “cook”).  The skins should then be easy to  peel off the tomatoes.
  5. When you have skinned the tomatoes, slice them into thin discs.
  6. Crack the eggs into a mixing bowl, add the cream, and beat until combined.  Finely grate the cheddar cheese and add to the mixture.
  7. Chop your fresh chives and add them to the egg, cream and cheese mixture and season with salt and pepper.   Pour the mixture into your pastry case.
  8. Place the tomato discs on top of the mixture in the pastry case.
  9. Place your quiche or flan dish in the oven and cook for 25 minutes.
  10. The tart can be eaten hot, room temperature or cold.
Tomato tart, tomato quiche
Tomato tart

Keywords: tomato, tart

Loved this recipe? Check out the Recipe Index

Caramelised Onion Tart

Caramelised Onion Tart
Onion Tart

Caramelised Onion Tart

This  recipe for Caramelised Onion Tart is based on a recipe in  Vegetarian Kitchen by Sarah Brown.    I bought this book many years ago, in my early twenties, when I was a vegetarian.  Subsequently, I have changed my diet to include fish and some meat, but I still love vegetarian food and often cook meat-free at home.

I have cooked this recipe many, many times.  It is, in my opinion, simply the best onion tart ever.  Occasionally, I will think that I will try a different recipe but I always come back to this one.  The key to its luscious loveliness is to cook the onions really, really slowly for a long, long time so that they soften and gently caramelise without burning.

Nutmeg

The taste of the caramelised onions is enhanced by the nutmeg, a spice that has a myriad of uses in both sweet and savoury dishes.   It is really worth buying whole nutmegs and grating a bit off them  when you need it rather than buying ground nutmeg.  Just use an ordinary grater, there is no need to buy a special nutmeg grinder.  The pungency of fresh nutmeg is a revelation and adds an extra dimension of flavour to the tart.

Caramelised onion tart, onion quiche, caramelised onion quiche
Pastry case for tart

Equipment

Large, heavy frying pan, quiche or flan dish  (28 cm)

Caramelised onion tart, onion tart, onion quiche, caramelised onion quiche
Eggs and cheese

Caramelised Onion Tart

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Caramelised onion tart, onion tart, onion quiche, caramelised onion quiche

Caramelised Onion Tart

★★★★★ 5 from 1 reviews
  • Author: Tastebotanical
  • Prep Time: 15
  • Cook Time: 55
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 1 tart serving 8 people 1x
  • Category: Tart
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: English
Print Recipe

Description

This luscious tart is filled with caramelised onions, subtly flavoured with nutmeg, set in a rich cheese custard.  It is fantastic for hot, warm or cold which makes it very versatile.  I honestly believe this is the best onion tart!

Ingredients

Scale

For the pastry:

  • 275 g plain flour
  • 125 g fat (I use a mix of half butter and half Trex as I think this makes the lightest pastry)
  • Salt
  • A little water

For the filling:

  • 6 large onions (white or red is fine) plus a further 3-5 onions or shallots for decoration
  • 40 g butter and 1 tbs oil
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 tsp brown sugar (optional)
  • Grated nutmeg  (best to grate this from a whole nutmeg as this has best flavour)
  • 100 ml double cream
  • 2 eggs
  • 100 g strong cheddar cheese (grated)
  • A little olive oil

Instructions

  1. Set your oven to 180 C, 350 F or Gas Mark 4.
  2. Make the pastry. Put the flour in a bowl.  Add the fat and combine –  either by “rubbing in” by hand or processing – until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.  Season with salt and pepper.  Add a little cold water (2-3 tbsp) and shape the mixture into a dough.
  3. Peel and chop the onions.
  4. Heat the butter and oil in your frying pan.   It helps if the pan is good quality with a thick bottom as this will disseminate the heat evenly and prevent burning.
  5. Add the onions to the pan, season with salt and pepper,  and cook at a very low heat for about 30 minutes.  Keep an eye on them to make sure they are not burning and stir occasionally.  The onions are done when they are light brown, soft and, when tasted, are sweet.
  6. Season the onions with the grated nutmeg to taste (about half a tsp – although I add a bit more as I like it!).   You can add a tsp of brown sugar to increase  the sweetness of the onions at this stage if you wish.
  7. Set the onion mixture aside to cool slightly.
  8. Roll out your pastry and use it to line your quiche or flan dish.   Bake for 5  minutes in the oven to allow the pastry to “set”.  This will stop the filling making it soggy!
  9. Crack the eggs into a mixing bowl, add the cream, and beat until combined.  Finely grate the cheddar cheese and add to the mixture.
  10. Now place the onion mixture in your pastry case.  Pour the egg mixture over it.
  11. Thinly slice the onions or shallots that you have set aside for decoration.  The aim is to have a number of different sized circles of onion or shallot which you can use to decorate the top of the tart.  Arrange artistically (!) and then brush with a little olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
  12. Place your quiche or flan dish in the oven and cook for 25 minutes.
  13. The tart can be eaten hot, room temperature or cold.

Keywords: onion, tart

 

Caramelised onion tart, onion tart, onion quiche, caramelised onion quiche
Put your onions in the tart…

Caramelised onion tart, onion tart, onion quiche, caramelised onion quiche
…add cheese and egg mixture…

 

Love this recipe?  You may also like

Butternut Squash Tart with Chilli and Sage

Herb Tartlets

 

Butternut Squash Tart with Chilli and Sage

Butternut Squash Tart with Chilli and Sage

My Butternut Squash Tart with Chilli and Sage is a great summer tart which can be served either hot or cold.   I came up with the idea for this recipe as an alternative to the Caramelised Onion Tart that is a regular family supper.   I wanted to do something that had a similar sweetness but which was also a bit different.

The resulting tart uses butternut squash, which is slow-cooked to enhance its natural sweetness, and then gives it a bit of extra zing with the addition of chilli and sage.  Both are good companions to squash – the chilli cuts through the sweetness and the sage gives it a savoury depth of flavour. Don’t be alarmed by the chilli.  The amount involved is relatively small but really does pep up the tart.  My children have varying views on chilli  (ranging from “Carolina Reaper for breakfast, please” to  “Yeeeuch”) but they all like this tart.

I like to serve this tart with my Red Slaw – to keep the bright colour thing going!   They taste good together – the fresh crunchiness of the slaw goes well with the sweet-savoury tart – and they also look pretty!

What you need to know about this recipe

  • I generally make my own pastry. I was a late learner when it came to pastry and for years used ready-made versions. However, a few years ago I decided I had to get to grips with pastry-making and discovered how easy it is. So, if you have the time to make your own pastry, it is really worth doing as the taste will be much better than anything you can buy in the shops. However, if you don’t have the time or inclination, you can make this recipe using ready-made pastry and it will still taste pretty good.
  • Whether you are making your own pastry or using ready-made, it is really important to bake the empty pastry case in the oven for 15 minutes before you add the filling (step 7). This sets the pastry and means that it is properly cooked so it will be crisp and delicious rather than soft and soggy.
  • Cooking the onions and cubed squash on a low heat for 30 minutes until they become caramelised (step 5) is a crucial part of this recipe. You need them to be soft in texture and with the rich sweetness that comes from slow cooking.
  • If you don’t like chilli, you can leave it out. However, it is fairly mild and does give a good balance to the sweetness of the caramelised squash and onions.
  • I add sage as I think it goes particularly well with butternut squash. I think fresh sage is preferable. However, if you do not have it to hand, you can use dried sage. If you do not have any sage, or do not like it, you can substitute other herbs. I think thyme, oregano and rosemary would all be good in this recipe.

Other butternut squash and pumpkin recipes

If you like the earthy sweetness of butternut squash and pumpkin, you might like some of my other recipes.

Other quiche and tart recipes

Savoury tarts and quiches are a fantastic, cook-ahead simple supper or lunch. They are easy to make and are great either hot or at room temperature. They can also be easily divided into portions if you are feeding a large number of people. Easily transportable, they also make a good addition to lunch-boxes or basis for a picnic. Here are some of my favourites.

Loved this recipe? Checkout the Recipe Index.

Recipe for Butternut Squash Tart with Chilli and Sage

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Butternut tart

Butternut Squash Tart with Chilli and Sage

★★★★★ 5 from 1 reviews
  • Author: Tastebotanical
  • Prep Time: 15
  • Cook Time: 55
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 8
  • Category: Tart
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: English
Print Recipe

Description

In this tart, the sweetness of butternut squash is tempered by the heat of chilli and the aromatic sage.  The bright yellow squash also makes it look very attractive.   The tart can be eaten either hot or cold, which makes it great for picnics or cold buffets.

 

Ingredients

Scale

For the pastry:

  • 275 g (10 oz) plain flour
  • 125 g (4 oz) fat (I use a mix of half butter and half Trex as I think this makes the lightest pastry)
  • Salt
  • A little water

For the filling:

  • 1 butternut squash
  • 2 onions
  • 50 g (2 oz) butter and 1 tablespoon oil
  • Salt and pepper
  • Half a fresh red chilli (you can add more or less depending on how much you like chilli)
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 3–4 fresh sage leaves (or a teaspoon of dried sage)
  • 100 ml (4 fl oz) double cream
  • 3 eggs
  • 75 g (3 oz) strong cheddar cheese (grated)

Instructions

  1. Set your oven to 180 C, 350 F or Gas Mark 4.
  2. Make the pastry. Put the flour in a bowl.  Add the fat and combine –  either by “rubbing in” by hand or processing – until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.  Season with salt and pepper.  Add a little cold water (2-3 tbsp) and shape the mixture into a dough.
  3. Peel and chop the onions. Peel and chop the butternut squash into small cubes.
  4. Heat the butter and oil in your frying pan.   It helps if the pan is good quality with a thick bottom as this will disseminate the heat evenly and prevent burning.
  5. Add the chopped onions and cubed butternut squash to the pan, season with salt and pepper,  and cook at a very low heat for about 30 minutes.  Keep an eye on them to make sure they are not burning and stir occasionally.  They will be done when the onions and squash cubes are soft and, when tasted, are sweet.
  6. Finely chop the chilli, garlic cloves and the sage leaves and add to the onion and squash mixture.  Set the mixture aside to cool slightly.
  7. Roll out your pastry and use it to line your quiche or flan dish.   Bake for 20 minutes in the oven to allow the pastry to “set”.  This will stop the filling making it soggy.
  8. Crack the eggs into a mixing bowl, add the cream, and beat until combined.  Finely grate the cheddar cheese and add to the mixture.
  9. Now place the onion and squash mixture in your pastry case.  Pour the egg mixture over it.
  10. Place your quiche or flan dish in the oven and cook for 25 minutes.
  11. The tart can be eaten hot, room temperature or cold.

Keywords: butternut squash, chilli, sage, tart

Herb Tartlets

Herb Tartlets

These easy Herb Tartlets are all about the taste of the herbs.   Often herbs are used to enhance the flavours of other foods but here they are the stars of the show, rather than a supporting act.  The choice of herbs to include is up to you, depending on what you have to hand and which flavours you prefer, but they need to be soft herbs and you need to think about the balance of flavours as some stronger herbs, such as rosemary, will dominate the others.   

I generally include chives as I love their mild oniony flavour and then add other soft, milder herbs that are growing in my herb garden such as parsley, tarragon, chervil or sorrel.   You can choose to just use one herb – tarragon or sorrel are good on their own as they both have very distinctive flavours – or use several.   If using more than one variety, I would stick to three or four, otherwise the flavours will not be distinct.

Combined with a mixed green salad and maybe a potato salad, these tartlets make a fantastic light summer lunch or supper.   They are also good as part of a buffet at a summer party or as a snack at a drinks party.

Loved this recipe? Checkout the Recipe Index.

Other savoury tarts and quiches

Savoury tarts and quiches are a fantastic, cook-ahead simple supper or lunch. They are easy to make and are great either hot or at room temperature. They can also be easily divided into portions if you are feeding a large number of people. Easily transportable, they also make a good addition to lunch-boxes or basis for a picnic. Some of my favourites are listed below.

Loved this recipe? Checkout the Recipe Index.

Recipe for Herb Tartlets

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Mixed herb tart

Herb Tartlets

  • Author: Tastebotanical
  • Prep Time: 20
  • Cook Time: 15
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 8 tartlets 1x
  • Category: Tart
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: English
Print Recipe

Description

These Herb Tartlets allow the flavour of fresh herbs to be the star of the show rather than a supporting act.

Ingredients

Scale

For the pastry:

  • 275 g (10 oz) plain flour
  • 125 g fat (4 oz) I use a mix of half butter and half Trex as I think this makes the lightest pastry)
  • Salt
  • A little water

For the filling:

  • 1 clove of garlic
  • 3 eggs
  • 150 ml (5 fluid oz) double cream
  • 50 g (2 oz) mixed fresh herbs – such as parsley, chives, chervil, tarragon or sorrel
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

Method:  for the pastry

  1. Set oven to 200 degrees C/gas mark 6. Make the pastry. Put the flour in a bowl.  Add the fat and combine –  either by “rubbing in” by hand or processing – until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.  Season with salt and pepper.  Add a little cold water (2-3 tbsp) and shape the mixture into a dough.
  2. Roll out your pastry and use a round pastry cutter to cut circles.  Put a circle in each indentation in your tartlet tin.

Method:  for the filling

  1. Break the eggs into a bowl, add the cream and beat until mixed.
  2. Add the crushed clove of garlic.
  3. Chop the fresh herbs finely and add them to the cream and egg mixture.  Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Spoon the filling into each pastry circle in your tartlet tin.
  5. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes.
  6. When slightly cooled, remove from the tartlet tin, and place on a cooling rack.
  7. The tartlets can be eaten hot, warm or at room temperature.

Keywords: herb tartlets, fresh herbs

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