Tomato Basil Mozzarella Puff Pastry
Golden, flaky, and bursting with fresh flavor, this Tomato Basil Mozzarella Puff Pastry is the perfect balance of simple and stunning. Buttery layers of crisp puff pastry are topped with juicy ripe tomatoes, creamy melted mozzarella, and fragrant fresh basil for that classic Italian-inspired combination everyone loves.
Equipment
- Cookie sheet
- Parchment paper
- Tomato Knife (Serrated Knife)
Ingredients
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
- ½ cup tomato pasta sauce (high-quality marinara preferred)
- 1 large tomato, sliced (Roma or vine-ripened preferred)
- 1 fresh mozzarella ball, sliced into 8-10 rounds
- ¼ cup fresh basil, sliced (or to taste)
- ¼ tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
- freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese shaved or freshly grated
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning, or more to taste
Instructions
Preheat the Oven
- Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Prepare the Pastry
- Unfold the thawed puff pastry sheet and place it on the parchment-lined cookie sheet. Fold the edges of the pastry inward and crimp with the tines of a fork to create a defined border.
Add the Sauce
- Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the pastry, leaving a ½ to 1-inch space along the crimped edges.
Layer the Tomatoes
- Arrange the sliced tomatoes over the tomato sauce in a single, even layer. Pat the tomato slices dry with a paper towel beforehand to prevent excess moisture.
Add the Mozzarella
- Place the mozzarella slices evenly over the tomatoes.
Season and Add Basil
- Sprinkle lightly with kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Scatter half of the sliced basil over the top and reserve the remaining basil for finishing after baking.
Bake
- Bake at 400°F for 12–15 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
Finish and Serve
- Remove from the oven and top with shaved Parmesan (added after baking for the best texture and flavor), the remaining fresh basil, and additional freshly cracked black pepper. Slice and serve warm.