Caramelized Onion, Goat Cheese and Roasted Tomato Tart

In this roasted tomato tart you can find the sweetness of the caramelized onions, the tartness and creaminess of the fresh goat cheese, topped with the incredible flavor of roasted cherry tomatoes. This tart is a great appetizer for any party, dinner, potluck or holiday feast.

When the cherry tomatoes slowly roast in the oven with olive oil, some sugar and salt, they completely transform. Their flavor becomes deeper and sweeter, with a hint of smoked flavor. Try them also in other recipes like Spaghetti Aglio, Olio e Peperoncino with roasted cherry tomatoes, or this Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta Sauce.

🍳 Substitutions

• Goat cheese → Use ricotta, cream cheese, feta, or vegan alternatives.
• Cherry tomatoes → Use sliced Roma tomatoes or sun-dried tomatoes (if rehydrated).
• Onions → Try red onions for a different sweetness, or use shallots for a milder flavor.
• Pastry → Use a homemade crust, whole wheat pastry, or gluten-free puff pastry as needed.
• Thyme/Rosemary → Swap with basil, oregano, or herbes de Provence.

🥣 Variations

• Add greens - Toss in a handful of fresh arugula or spinach after baking for a peppery contrast.
• Make it spicy - Sprinkle a pinch of chili flakes over the top before baking.
• Add protein - Include cooked bacon, pancetta, or smoked salmon for a heartier version.
• Mini tarts - Use muffin tins or mini tart pans to make individual servings for parties or appetizers.
• Balsamic glaze drizzle - Add a sweet and tangy finish by drizzling balsamic reduction before serving.

How to Caramelize Onions

I need to start with a disclaimer because the way I make caramelized onions is not the traditional way. The traditional way of caramelizing onions takes between 30 and 45 minutes. Slowly browning the onions at low heat until they reach the perfect rich golden brown color. This is the way you should make them if you want to make a traditional French Onion Soup.

In this case we will simplify the process and shorten the times. But there are a few guidelines to follow to get nice caramelized onions:

1. Slice the onions as evenly as possible to insure an even caramelization. The slices shouldn't be too thick nor too thin. Try to slice them about ⅕ in. (5 mm).
2. Use a large enough pan. The onion slices should have enough space in the pan because if you crowd them, they will not cook evenly.
3. Adjust the heat and move the onions constantly to avoid burning. The heat should be medium/high to fasten the process, but make sure you adjust it accordingly to avoid burning the onions.
4. Deglaze the pan immediately with a liquid when the onions are all golden brown, to stop the caramelization. The darker they are, the more intense the flavor will be, sliding from sweet to lightly bitter.

I usually use only olive oil when I brown the onions, because it has a higher smoking point. But if you want a richer flavor, feel free to add a dollop of butter to the oil.

🍽 Serving Suggestions

Serve this roasted tomato tart warm, at room temperature, or even chilled. It pairs beautifully with a fresh green salad, a bowl of soup, or a glass of crisp white wine. Perfect for brunch, lunch, dinner, or as a centerpiece for a vegetarian spread. Cut into squares or wedges and serve as a starter or party snack.

❄️ Storage & Reheating

Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container or wrapped in foil for up to 3 days.

Freezer: You can freeze the fully baked tart, wrapped tightly in foil or plastic wrap, for up to 1 month. Reheat from frozen or thaw overnight.

Reheating: Reheat slices in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-12 minutes to crisp the pastry. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it softens the crust.

If you like this recipe, check out also these other savory pies:

• Sweet Potato Goat Cheese Quiche
• Spinach and Ricotta Quiche
• Italian Sausage & Broccoli Quiche
• Cheesy Mushroom and Zucchini Quiche
• Puff Pastry Quiche with Potatoes, Provolone, and Ham

If you tried this recipe, please take a moment to rate it and share your thoughts in the comments. Your feedback means a lot to me! ★★★★★

📖 RECIPE

Jessica Montanelli

Caramelized onion, goat cheese and roasted cherry tomato Tart

5 from 3 votes

The sweetness of the caramelized onions, the tartness and creaminess of the fresh goat cheese, topped with the incredible flavor of roasted cherry tomatoes.

Print Email Review

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

ServingsServings: 4 people

Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x?

• ▢ 4 Yellow Onions
• ▢ 2 tablespoon Brown Sugar
• ▢ White Wine
• ▢ 1 Roll Puff Pastry
• ▢ ½ cup Fresh Goat Cheese
• ▢ 15-20 Cherry Tomatoes
• ▢ Olive Oil
• ▢ ½ teaspoon Oregano
• ▢ Salt
• ▢ Black Pepper

Method

 

1. Preheat the oven to 220°C (430°F).
2. Cut the cherry tomatoes in half and marinade them with EV olive oil, salt, pepper and oregano. Set them aside.
3. Peel and cut the onions in half then slice them evenly. Drizzle a large pan with olive oil and add the onions and the sugar.
4. Mix well and turn on the heat to medium-high, keep moving the onions until they start to brown. Lower the heat if necessary, to prevent them from burning.
5. When the onions are evenly browned, add a splash of white wine to deglaze, let it evaporate a few seconds, then add a little bit of water.
6. Adjust with salt and pepper to taste, lower the heat and let the onions soften for a few minutes, until they are translucent. Add more water in necessary (although at the end it should be completely evaporated).
7. Cover a tart pan with parchment paper, then add the puff pastry. With a fork, pierce holes on the whole bottom of the pastry.
8. Add the caramelized onions and spread them well as a bottom layer.
9. Add a layer of goat cheese, shredding it into chunks with your fingers to cover the whole layer.
10. Now add the cherry tomatoes on top, cut side facing down.
11. Bake in the preheated oven in the middle rack for about 20 minutes or until the puff pastry is golden brown.
12. If you want to char the tomatoes, cover the edges of the pastry with aluminium foil and turn on the broiler for a couple of minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 491 kcalCarbohydrates: 46 gProtein: 12 gFat: 30 gSaturated Fat: 10 gCholesterol: 13 mg

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

CourseCourse: Appetizer, Main Course

CuisineCuisine: Italian

Notes

Both the onions and the cherry tomatoes will be on the sweeter side. So be careful to balance well the flavors adjusting with salt.

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