Name: Mary Mac’s Tomato Pie (Copycat Recipe)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: PT-28820534.183333M
Total time: PT54181603H36.816666666667M
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: 3 sleeves of Ritz crackers, crushed½ cup (1 stick) butter, melted; 2 cups diced tomatoes (about 2 medium size tomatoes) Note: Be sure not to put more than two cups of diced tomato; 1 teaspoon salt; 2 teaspoons sugar; ¼ cup chopped sweet yellow onion (Preferably Vidalia onions; 2 cups heavy duty mayonnaise such as Dukes or Hellman’s; 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese; ¼ cup chopped fresh basil; ½ teaspoon black pepper

Description

Tomato pie is a delightful Southern dish that combines ripe, juicy tomatoes with a blend of cheeses and a creamy mayonnaise base. The filling is nestled in layers of buttery Ritz crackers adding a perfect crunch. Baked until golden and bubbly, this savory pie is a delicious celebration of fresh tomatoes and cheesy goodness.

Ingredients

3 sleeves of Ritz crackers, crushed½ cup (1 stick) butter, melted
2 cups diced tomatoes (about 2 medium size tomatoes) Note: Be sure not to put more than two cups of diced tomato
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons sugar
¼ cup chopped sweet yellow onion (Preferably Vidalia onions
2 cups heavy duty mayonnaise such as Dukes or Hellman’s
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
¼ cup chopped fresh basil
½ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a small bowl toss crushed Ritz crackers and melted butter together until well coated. Divide the buttered crackers into three parts. Sprinkle ⅓ of the buttered cracker crumbs in the bottom of a well greased casserole dish and lightly toast the crackers for about 5 minutes. This will prevent a soggy crust then set the pan aside.

2. On a cutting board, dice the tomatoes. After dicing, (Should have 2 cups). Let them sit for about 10 minutes to draw out excess moisture, then pat them dry. This step is crucial to avoid a soggy pie.

3. Next layer the drained tomatoes and place them on the Ritz cracker crust. Sprinkle salt and sugar evenly over the tomatoes. This might seem unusual, but trust me, it balances the acidity of the tomatoes beautifully. Sprinkle the chopped onions over the diced tomatoes.

4. Sprinkle a layer of the buttered Ritz crackers over the top of the tomatoes and onions

5. In a separate bowl, mix the mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, cheddar cheese, fresh basil and black pepper together. Spread this mixture evenly over the cracker layer.

6. Bake the pie for 20 minutes. Then take the pie out of the oven and top with the remaining buttered crackers. Continue cooking for another 10 to 15 minutes or until the top is bubbly and golden brown. Serve warm and enjoy!