Sunday brunch at my neighbor’s always feels like catching up with old friends, and last week’s gathering turned cozy in a way I love. They mentioned a pie they tried at a local bakery – bacon, sweet onions, juicy tomatoes, and a creamy cheese topping, all layered in a deep-dish crust. I grabbed a pre-baked pie shell and decided this would be my weekend twist for family dinner.

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While my husband mowed the lawn, I cooked thick-cut bacon until crisp, letting the aroma drift indoors. I sautéed thinly sliced onions in the rendered bacon grease until golden and soft, just the way my grandmother used to teach me.

Assembling the pie felt like playing with layers of flavor: onions, juicy tomato slices, crunchy bacon, all nestled in that warm crust. I mixed creamy cheese, mayo, sour cream, and seasonings into a silky topping and spread it evenly.

All it needed was to bake and sparkle under the broiler. When it came out, bubbly and golden, my teenage son took a bite and said, “This is dinner-level pie, Mom!” My daughter added chopped chives, and suddenly it felt more like a restaurant dish than a simple family meal. That night, at our kitchen table, we savored every cheesy, savory slice, and I realized this pie does more than fill bellies, it sparks conversations, laughter, and seconds almost every time.

Short Description

Deep-dish pie layered with caramelized onions, juicy tomatoes, crisp bacon, and a creamy cheese topping, baked until bubbly and golden.

Key Ingredients

Crust

1 pre-baked deep-dish pie crust

Filling

6–8 thick-cut bacon slices, cooked and crumbled
1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
2 medium tomatoes, thinly sliced

Topping

1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup mayonnaise
½ cup sour cream
1 Tbsp flour
½ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp black pepper
¼ tsp salt

Garnish (optional)

1 Tbsp chopped fresh chives or parsley

Tools Needed

Skillet for bacon and onions
Pre-baked pie crust
Small bowl for topping
Spoon or spatula
Baking sheet
Knife for slicing

Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Preheat Oven
Set oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 2: Caramelize Onions
In the skillet, cook sliced onions in a spoonful of bacon drippings over medium heat until soft and golden, about 10 minutes. Let them cool slightly.

Step 3: Layer Filling
In the pre-baked crust, layer half the onions, then half the tomato slices, and half the crumbled bacon. Repeat to make two even layers.

Step 4: Mix Topping
In a bowl, stir together mozzarella, mayonnaise, sour cream, flour, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt until smooth and creamy.

Step 5: Top & Bake
Spread cheese mixture over the layered filling. Place pie on a baking sheet and bake 35–40 minutes, until golden brown and bubbling.

Step 6: Rest & Garnish
Let the pie rest for a few minutes before slicing. Garnish with chopped chives or parsley if desired.

Troubleshooting tip: If crust edges brown too fast, cover them with foil during baking.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Flavor Explosion: Sweet caramelized onions meet juicy tomatoes and savory bacon in a creamy, cheesy pie

Simple Prep: Uses a pre-baked crust for faster assembly

Versatile: Works for brunch, lunch, dinner, or a potluck appetizer

Family-Friendly: Crispy, creamy, cheesy—guaranteed to please kids and adults alike

Handy Reheats: Holds well in the fridge, easy to reheat by slice

Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions

Watery Filling:
Problem: Tomatoes release too much juice.
Solution: Pat tomato slices dry before layering.

Burned Onion Flavor:
Problem: Onions brown too fast or taste bitter.
Solution: Cook them slowly over medium heat until tender and sweet.

Soggy Bottom Crust:
Problem: Pie crust becomes damp.
Solution: Use pre-baked crust and let filling cool slightly before assembling.

Topping Doesn’t Bubble:
Problem: Cheese layer stays flat or grainy.
Solution: Mix topping well and bake until edges turn golden.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

Serve warm with a crisp green salad or fresh fruit

Pair with iced tea, lemonade, or sparkling water

Plated for dinner, sliced for buffet-style brunch, or finger food at parties

Offer alongside roasted veggies or a light soup for balance

Storage and Reheating Tips

Store: Cover leftover slices in the fridge for up to 3 days

Reheat: Warm in a 350°F oven for 10–12 minutes or microwave until just warmed through

Freeze: Wrap whole pie or slices in foil, freeze up to 1 month; thaw overnight and bake to refresh texture

FAQs

1. Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, assemble up to 4 hours early and refrigerate before baking.

2. Can I use cherry tomatoes instead?
Sure, slice them in half and layer for sweet bursts.

3. Is there a gluten-free option?
Use a gluten-free pie crust and gluten-free flour in the topping mix.

4. Can I swap the mayo or sour cream?
Plain Greek yogurt works well in place of sour cream or mayo for a lighter topping.

5. How thick should the tomato slices be?
Keep them about ¼ inch thick so they layer evenly without soaking the crust.

Tips & Tricks

Cook bacon ahead for faster assembly

Use fresh herbs like basil or thyme instead of chives

Swap mozzarella for smoked Gouda for a richer flavor

Use low-fat mayo and Greek yogurt to lighten the topping

Let the pie cool slightly to set the filling before cutting

Recipe Variations

1. Mediterranean Style
Add feta cheese, Kalamata olives, and a sprinkle of oregano in the cheese topping for sunny flavors.

2. BBQ Bacon Pie
Replace mayo with BBQ sauce in the topping, add diced jalapeños under the cheese for a smoky kick.

3. Mushroom & Spinach Upgrade
Sauté mushrooms and fresh spinach and layer with the onions before adding tomatoes and bacon.

4. Cheddar-Pepper Twist
Use pepper jack cheese in the topping and sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes on top for heat.

5. Vegetarian Delight
Omit bacon; increase onion and tomato layers, and add chopped roasted red peppers and zucchini slices.

Final Thoughts

Dinner that night felt special, simple, and shared that’s the magic of pie. Seeing my husband grab just one more slice and hearing my kids reach for seconds told me all I needed to know.

This is a a moment-maker, perfect for celebratory brunches or busy weekday dinners. It brought us together around the table, and that, to me, is worth every bake.

Bacon Onion Tomato Pie