Utica Tomato Pie has a thick, crispy crust topped with a sweet homemade tomato sauce, grated Parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley. Unlike traditional pizza, tomato pie is served at room temperature and is a favorite at bakeries, delis, and gatherings throughout the Utica area.
Growing up in the Utica area, tomato pie was something I always knew. I didn’t realize until I got older that this style of tomato pie was such a local tradition. It’s one of those foods that immediately reminds me of home. 💙
“This is a spot-on Utica tomato pie recipe!”
Why I Love Utica Tomato Pie
Ingredients needed for Tomato Pie Utica
About the Ingredients ⭐
- Olive Oil – Used for sautéing the onion and building the tomato sauce.
- Onion & Roasted Garlic – Add savory flavor to the homemade sauce.
- Italian Seasoning & Fresh Basil – Give the sauce plenty of Italian flavor.
- Sugar – Adds the touch of sweetness traditional to this tomato pie sauce.
- Crushed Tomatoes – The base of the thick tomato sauce.
- Pizza Dough – Use store-bought or homemade dough and bring it to room temperature before starting.
- Parmesan Cheese & Fresh Parsley – Sprinkled over the finished tomato pie.
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below
How to Make Utica Tomato Pie
Make the Sauce: Sauté the onion in olive oil until translucent. Add the roasted garlic, Italian seasoning, and sugar. Stir in the crushed tomatoes and basil, then simmer for 30 minutes. Blend until smooth and let the sauce cool completely.
Prepare the Dough: Preheat the oven to 500°F. Press the room-temperature pizza dough onto a prepared baking sheet, covering the bottom completely. Pierce the dough all over with a fork.
Add the Toppings: Spread half of the cooled tomato sauce over the dough, leaving the edges uncovered for the crust. Sprinkle with ¾ cup Parmesan cheese.
Bake: Bake on the middle rack for 12–15 minutes, until the crust is golden and crispy.
Finish the Tomato Pie: Sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan and fresh parsley. Let cool for at least 5 minutes before cutting.
Tips I Found Helpful 💙
- Bring the dough to room temperature so it’s easier to stretch across the baking sheet.
- Cool the sauce completely before spreading it over the dough.
- Pierce the dough with a fork to help prevent large air bubbles while baking.
- Don’t overload it with sauce — use half of the prepared sauce so the crust stays crisp.
- Let the tomato pie cool before cutting so the crust and toppings have time to set. 🍅💙
Questions Readers Ask Most
More Utica Recipes I Love
Utica Tomato Pie
Utica Tomato Pie has a crispy crust topped with sweet homemade tomato sauce, Parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley.
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 Yellow Onion, Chopped
- 6 Cloves Roasted Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Italian Seasoning
- 1 Tbsp Granulated Sugar
- 1 28oz Can Crushed Tomato
- 3 Leaves Fresh Basil
- 1 16oz Pizza Dough (Store Bought or Homemade) brought to room temperature.
- 1 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1 Tbsp Fresh Parsley, Chopped
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-low heat and saute the chopped onion until translucent. Add in the roasted garlic, Italian seasoning, and sugar.
- Pour in the crushed tomato and add the basil leaves. Stir and simmer over medium heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Pour the sauce into a blender and blend until smooth; add back into the skillet or a bowl, and let cool completely.
- Preheat the oven to 500℉ and prepare a small baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out or flatten the dough with your hands. Add to the prepared baking sheet and press it down to the edges until the baking sheet is completely covered.
- Using a fork, pierce the dough over the bottom; this will prevent air bubbles.
- Spread half of the cooled sauce over the dough, leaving the sides untouched for the crust. Sprinkle ¾ cup of the parmesan cheese over the sauce, reserving the other ¼ for later.
- Place on the middle rack and bake for 12-15 minutes until the crust is golden and crispy.
- When done, sprinkle with the remaining parmesan cheese and the fresh parsley.
- Let cool for 5 minutes before cutting.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1 SliceAmount Per Serving: Calories: 243Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 7gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 819mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 2gSugar: 4gProtein: 13g
One Comment