Ina Garten’s Tomato & Goat Cheese Crostata Recipe with a Buttery Crust

This rustic tomato & goat cheese crostata transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Fresh garden produce meets flaky pastry in a delightful Mediterranean-inspired creation.

Delicate layers of buttery crust cradle vibrant, sun-ripened tomatoes with tangy cheese nestled between golden folds.

Professional home cooks appreciate how effortlessly elegant this dish appears while remaining remarkably uncomplicated to prepare.

Her signature recipe balances sophisticated flavor profiles with approachable techniques that make even novice bakers feel confident.

Unexpected herbal notes and rich, creamy textures elevate this classic tart from ordinary to memorable.

Grab your apron and gather fresh ingredients for a meal that promises pure deliciousness:

Why Tomato & Goat Cheese Crostata Is Favorite

• Craft Rustic Elegance: This crostata transforms simple ingredients into a stunning, restaurant-worthy dish that looks professionally prepared yet feels homemade and inviting.
• Burst with Seasonal Freshness: Ripe tomatoes and fragrant herbs create a vibrant, summery flavor profile that captures the essence of garden-fresh ingredients in every delicious bite.
• Master Effortless Technique: The free-form pastry method allows even novice bakers to create a gorgeous, forgiving dish without the stress of perfect pie-making skills, making it an approachable yet impressive recipe.
• Layer Complex Textures: Crispy, buttery pastry combined with tender leeks, creamy goat cheese, and juicy tomatoes delivers a satisfying combination of contrasting mouthfeels that dance together beautifully.

Everything You Need for Tomato & Goat Cheese Crostata

• All-Purpose Flour: Classic base for creating a flaky, tender pastry crust with rich butter.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the buttery pastry.
• Unsalted Butter: Provides rich, tender texture and creates delicate layers in the pastry.
• Ice Water: Helps bind ingredients and creates a smooth, workable dough without toughening.

• Leeks: Mild, sweet onion-like vegetable that adds delicate flavor and soft texture to the crostata.
• Thyme: Fresh herb that brings earthy, aromatic notes to the vegetable mixture.
• Tomatoes: Fresh, ripe tomatoes provide bright, juicy flavor and beautiful color to the dish.

• Goat Cheese: Creamy, tangy cheese that adds rich, distinctive flavor and soft texture.
• Olive Oil: Enhances tomato flavor and adds a smooth, rich finish.
• Fresh Herbs: Bright, aromatic garnish that adds color and fresh flavor.
• Egg: Creates a golden, glossy finish on the pastry crust.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance all other flavors.

How to Prepare Ina Garten’s Tomato & Goat Cheese Crostata

Step 1: Create Flaky Pastry Dough

Gather your flour and salt in a food processor. Pulse ingredients together. Add cold butter cubes and pulse until mixture resembles pea-sized crumbs. Drizzle ice water while processing until dough forms. Transfer to a floured surface, shape into a smooth disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in refrigerator for one hour.

Step 2: Prepare Savory Leek Mixture

• Butter
• Fresh leeks
• Thyme leaves
• Salt
• Black pepper

Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté leeks with thyme, salt, and pepper until they become tender and develop golden edges. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 3: Prepare Fresh Tomatoes

• Ripe tomatoes
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Black pepper

Slice tomatoes and arrange on a plate. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and drizzle with olive oil. Let them rest while preparing other components.

Step 4: Roll And Shape Pastry

Roll chilled dough into a large circular shape on a floured surface. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spread prepared leek mixture across pastry, leaving a generous border around edges.

Step 5: Add Delicious Toppings

• Crumbled goat cheese
• Prepared tomatoes

Scatter goat cheese over leeks. Artfully arrange tomato slices, slightly overlapping. Gently fold pastry edges inward, creating a rustic, free-form border.

Step 6: Bake To Golden Perfection

Brush pastry edges with egg wash. Bake in a preheated oven at 450°F for 25-30 minutes until pastry turns golden brown and crispy.

Step 7: Garnish And Serve

Remove from oven and let cool for five minutes. Sprinkle with fresh herbs and sea salt. Slice into wedges and serve warm for maximum flavor enjoyment.

Tips for Baking the Tomato & Goat Cheese Crostata Just Right

• Freeze Butter for Flakiness: Chill butter in the freezer for 15 minutes before making the pastry to ensure an incredibly light and crisp crust that melts in your mouth.
• Master the Crumb Technique: Use a food processor to quickly pulse butter and flour until they resemble coarse, pebble-like crumbs, creating the perfect pastry base with minimal effort.
• Blast with High Heat: Preheat the oven to a scorching 450°F to guarantee a golden, crispy crust that's both beautiful and deliciously crunchy.
• Slice Tomatoes Strategically: Arrange tomato slices in a single, elegant layer to prevent soggy spots and ensure each bite is packed with fresh, vibrant flavor.
• Rest for Perfect Slicing: Give the crostata a short 5-minute cooling period on the pan, allowing the filling to set and making it easier to cut into beautiful, Instagram-worthy wedges.

Smart Storage for Tomato & Goat Cheese Crostata

• Cool Completely: Allow the crostata to reach room temperature naturally after baking. Cooling prevents condensation and maintains the crispy pastry texture, ensuring your delicious dish stays perfectly flaky and appetizing.
• Refrigerate Smartly: Wrap the crostata tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent flavor absorption and maintain freshness. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, keeping the goat cheese and tomatoes at their best quality. Pro tip: Place on a flat surface to preserve the crostata's beautiful shape.
• Freeze for Later: Prepare for future enjoyment by freezing individual slices or the entire crostata. Wrap securely in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, creating an airtight seal to prevent freezer burn.

Tomato & Goat Cheese Crostata Variations You’ll Want to Try

• Mediterranean Veggie Fusion: Replace leeks with roasted bell peppers and add kalamata olives for a vibrant Mediterranean-inspired crostata bursting with colorful flavors.
• Autumn Harvest Blend: Swap tomatoes with roasted butternut squash and add caramelized onions, incorporating sage instead of thyme to create a rich, seasonal version.
• Rustic Prosciutto Upgrade: Layer thin prosciutto slices between goat cheese and tomatoes, introducing a salty protein element that complements the creamy cheese and fresh vegetables.
• Spicy Southwest Spin: Mix in diced jalapeños, substitute some goat cheese with pepper jack, and sprinkle fresh cilantro to give the crostata a bold, zesty southwestern profile.

A Tasty Wrap-Up for Tomato & Goat Cheese Crostata

Culinary magic unfolds with Ina Garten’s tomato and goat cheese crostata, a rustic masterpiece that transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary experience.

Garden-fresh tomatoes dance alongside creamy goat cheese, nestled within a buttery, flaky pastry that whispers Italian countryside charm.

Mediterranean flavors intertwine, creating a symphony of textures and tastes that elevate home cooking to an art form.

California sunshine and French countryside techniques merge in this elegant dish that celebrates seasonal produce.

Garten’s signature style shines through each carefully crafted layer, promising a memorable meal that connects friends and family around the table.

Crostata lovers, your next kitchen adventure awaits – snap a photo, share the recipe, and spread deliciousness with friends who crave exceptional culinary experiences.

Ina Garten Tomato & Goat Cheese Crostata Recipe

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4.8 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s tomato and goat cheese crostata blends rustic Italian flavors with elegant simplicity. Herbed pastry cradles ripe summer tomatoes and creamy goat cheese, creating a delightful Mediterranean-inspired tart you’ll savor slice by slice.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 450g (1 pound) heirloom tomatoes, cored and sliced 1cm (⅜ inch) thick
• 300g (4 cups) chopped leeks, white and light green parts, spun-dried (4 leeks)
• 115g (4 ounces) creamy fresh goat cheese, crumbled
• 120g (1 cup) all-purpose flour

Butter and Dairy:

• 115g (¼ pound) very cold unsalted butter, diced
• 55g (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter
• 1 egg beaten with 15ml (1 tablespoon) milk, for egg wash

Seasonings and Herbs:

• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme leaves
• Good olive oil
• Chopped fresh basil leaves and chives

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Instructions

1. Craft the pastry foundation by combining flour and salt in a food processor. Gently incorporate cold butter cubes, pulsing until the mixture resembles coarse pebbles. Stream ice water into the processor, mixing until the dough just coheres. Transfer the delicate mixture onto a lightly dusted surface, shape into a compact disk, encase in plastic wrap, and chill for 60 minutes to relax the gluten.
2. Prepare the vegetable base by melting of butter in a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature. Introduce sliced leeks, fresh thyme, and seasonings, sautéing for approximately 8 minutes until the vegetables become tender and develop golden edges. Simultaneously, arrange tomato slices on a separate plate, seasoning with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil to enhance their natural flavors.
3. Construct the rustic tart by rolling the chilled dough into a generous 11-inch (28-centimeter) circular shape on a flour-dusted surface. Carefully transfer the delicate pastry onto parchment paper atop an inverted baking sheet. Distribute the sautéed leeks across the dough, maintaining a 1½-inch (4-centimeter) perimeter. Crumble tangy goat cheese over the vegetables, then artfully arrange the seasoned tomatoes in an overlapping pattern. Gently fold the pastry edges inward, creating a rustic pleated border. Brush the exterior with egg wash to ensure a golden, glossy finish. Bake in a preheated 450°F (230°C) oven for 25-30 minutes until the crust achieves a rich, amber color. Allow the crostata to rest briefly, garnish with fresh herbs and a final sprinkle of salt, then slice and serve while still warm.

Notes

• Freeze butter chunks to create ultra-flaky pastry layers that melt in your mouth.
• Pulse ingredients quickly in the food processor to prevent overworking the dough and maintain a tender crust.
• Crank your oven temperature high to guarantee a crispy, golden-brown exterior that looks bakery-perfect.
• Spread tomato slices carefully in a single layer to maximize caramelization and prevent soggy results.
• Rest the crostata briefly after baking so filling stabilizes and slicing becomes effortless.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 crostata slice (1/6 of the recipe)
• Calories: 330
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 320mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 7g
• Cholesterol: 60mg