Kitchen Recipe Collection
Italian Torta Salata (Savory Tart)
A quick, versatile savory tart made with puff pastry, ricotta cheese, and vegetables. A highly popular, modern Italian work lunch.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 35 min
- Total
- 45 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- easy
- Cuisine
- italian
Ingredients
Scaled for 6 servings
- puff pastry sheet (store-bought, round or rectangular)
- ricotta cheese
- eggs
- parmesan cheese
- cooked vegetables (spinach, zucchini, or artichokes)
- prosciutto cotto or pancetta (optional)
- salt and pepper
Equipment
- Tart pan or baking sheet
- Mixing bowl
Instructions
- 1
Preheat Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- 2
Prepare the Base
Unroll the cold puff pastry sheet directly into a tart pan, keeping it on its parchment paper. Prick the bottom with a fork.
- 3
Make the Filling
In a bowl, mix the drained ricotta cheese, beaten eggs, grated Parmesan, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- 4
Add Veggies/Meat
Fold in your chosen cooked, dry vegetables (sautéed zucchini, squeezed spinach) and cubed ham or pancetta.
- 5
Pour and Spread
Pour the mixture into the pastry-lined pan and spread it out evenly.
- 6
Fold Edges
Fold the overhanging edges of the puff pastry back over the filling to create a rustic, free-form crust (a galette shape).
- 7
Egg Wash (Optional)
Brush the folded pastry edges with a little beaten egg or milk for a golden shine.
- 8
Bake
Bake for 30-35 minutes until the pastry is puffed and golden brown, and the center filling is set.
- 9
Cool
Let the tart cool slightly before slicing. It is excellent served warm or at room temperature.
- 10
Serve
Serve a slice with a simple green salad for a complete lunch.
Cooking Tips
- Any vegetables you add must be pre-cooked and very dry. Raw or wet vegetables will make the pastry soggy.
- This is essentially the Italian equivalent of a quiche, but much faster due to the use of puff pastry.
Variations
- Torta Rustica ai Carciofi: Use marinated artichoke hearts and smoked scamorza cheese for the filling.
Chef's Notes & Storage
- Often thrown together to clear out the fridge, it's a staple of modern Italian buffets and lunchboxes.
Nutrition Estimate
350 calories · 14g protein · 22g carbs · 24g fat · 2g fiber per serving
