5 from 2 reviews

Gluten-Free Tomato Pie with Basil & Parmesan

By Alanna Taylor-Tobin on Sep 7, 2016 (updated Aug 17, 2024) / 20 Comments Jump to Recipe

A lighter take on traditional tomato pie, this GF tomato pie is made with cornmeal-crusted tomatoes layered with mozzarella, parmesan, and basil in a crunchy gluten-free pie crust.

delicious Tomato Pie with Basil, Parmesan + Cornmeal {gluten-free}

Three years ago today I posted a recipe for gluten-free pie dough. It was pretty good, and I was excited to find a magical blend of alternative flours (sweet rice, millet, and oat) that baked up flaky and crisp. That pie dough inspired a whole book on gluten-free baking.

This recipe has some similarities to my favorite gluten-free tomato galette, but a deep-dish version. It captures the bright flavor of ripe summer tomatoes layered with cornmeal and cheese and seasoned with basil.

Classic American tomato pie starts with buttery pie dough that gets a filled with unconscionable amounts of mayonnaise and cheese, with some token tomatoes thrown in for flavor. It's tastier than it has any right to be. I'm not one to stand against massive amounts of saturated fat, but I was thrilled to learn about this lighter, more summery version that my friend Michelle made for me and Jay one evening many years ago.

The method came from her friend and landlord, a former caterer who knows how to make food taste amazing. In typical chef fashion, he would make the pie by feel rather than by recipe, and had given Michelle a rough guide without any exact measurements. When we arrived, Michelle was dipping slices of tomatoes into a mixture of seasoned cornmeal, and layering them with parmesan and basil in a pie crust. "I have no idea if this is going to work," she said, sliding the pie into the oven.

Tomato Pie with Basil, Parmesan + Cornmeal {gluten-free} before cooking

But it did, gloriously. The result? Layers and layers of pure tomato goodness encased in a crunchy crust.

hands holding Tomato Pie with Basil, Parmesan + Cornmeal {gluten-free}

I've thought about this pie every year during the late summer when dry farmed tomatoes begin to crowd the markets. These deep red specimen are cultivated without excess water, which causes the plants' roots to dive deep into the earth for nutrients and form small fruits that are dense with flesh and flavor. They are what all tomatoes aspire to be, and I knew they would rock this tomato pie.

Tomato Pie with Basil, Parmesan + Cornmeal {gluten-free} on table

Being not a chef but a baker, I cobbled together a recipe. I added mozzarella because cheese, and layered the components in my favorite GF pie crust. Like Michelle that first time years ago, when I slipped the pie in the oven, I didn't know whether I'd pull out a glorious work of tomato art or an inedible pile of mush. Thankfully, it was the former.

top down shot of Tomato Pie with Basil, Parmesan + Cornmeal {gluten-free}

The finished gluten-free tomato pie tastes a bit like eggplant parmesan, with the Italian flavors of basil, peppery olive oil, and sharp parmesan meeting roasted tomatoes and cornmeal. I salt the tomatoes first to draw off excess moisture; this makes for the most flavorful pie and helps keep the crust crisp. The cornmeal absorbs the remaining moisture, becoming soft in the oven, not unlike the breading in eggplant parmesan. Along with the cheeses, the cornmeal helps hold everything together.

side shot of slice of Tomato Pie with Basil, Parmesan + Cornmeal {gluten-free}

Break through the crunchy top layer and the filling oozes with juicy (though not too juicy) tomatoes, fragrant basil, tender cornmeal, and gooey mozzarella. The crust shatters and flakes, buttery against a tangy, bright filling.

Who wants pie for dinner?

close up of Tomato Pie with Basil, Parmesan + Cornmeal {gluten-free}

Use the pie crust below, or try this with one of my other pie crust recipes:

Paleo Pie Crust with almond and cassava flours
Flaky Spelt Flour Pie Crust (not gluten-free)

Bojon appétit! For more Bojon Gourmet in your life, follow along on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, or Pinterest, purchase my award-winning gluten-free baking cookbook Alternative Baker, or subscribe to receive new posts via email. And if you make this gluten-free tomato pie, I’d love to know. Leave a comment and rating below, and tag your Instagram snaps @The_Bojon_Gourmet and #bojongourmet.

Tomato Pie with Basil, Parmesan + Cornmeal {gluten-free}

5 from 2 reviews