Easy Savory Puff Pastry Tart

This Easy Savory Puff Pastry Tart utilizes purchased puff pastry dough for easy prep. The simple Greek yogurt filling is light, lean and delicious!

I love a recipe that's super versatile and this Savory Puff Pastry Tart may just be the poster child for versatility (and of course deliciousness too)!

It's perfect for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner! Pair it with fresh fruit and a platter of warm, delicious muffins and you've got a breakfast/brunch worthy of royalty. Add a simple green salad and you've got a gourmet bistro lunch or dinner.

Another way this Savory Puff Pastry Tart is versatile is that you can change up the ingredients. I started to call it an Asparagus and Ham Puff Pastry Tart but... if asparagus is out of season, it's wonderful with just ham. Spinach is a delicious substitute, as is chopped broccoli. Don't like or don't have any ham? Sliced chicken sausage, chorizo or crisp bacon is fabulous. I've even given it an Italian twist with thinly sliced pepperoni and bits of sundried tomatoes. See what I mean? Super versatile.

This Savory Puff Pastry Tart is a delicious way to use up leftover ham, but it can also be made with a small piece of ham from the deli. I just asked for an unsliced piece, about one-half pound is perfect. It's easy to dice up into little bite-size pieces for the tart.

I love having a packet or two of puff pastry in my freezer because it opens up the opportunity for so many easy recipes. Puff pastry can be used for both sweet and savory dishes and can make you look like a gourmet cook with minimal effort. This Savory Puff Pastry Tart is the perfect example!

How to make a tart with puff pastry dough

If you have a rolling pin, making a tart with puff pastry dough is super simple. We shot a few demonstration pictures to show you just how easy it is.

Pepperidge Farm is the most commonly available puff pastry here in the U.S., so that's what I'm using for demonstration. Each rectangle is about eight and one-half ounces for a total of 17.3 ounces. Most larger grocery stores carry Pepperidge Farm puff pastry in the frozen section, usually in the desserts area.

Other brands can also be used with the same technique. If you're interested, Whole Foods carries an all-butter puff pastry which is delicious but much pricier.

• To begin, unthaw the puff pastry. This will take 30-45 minutes. Don't let it sit out any longer than that (see puff pastry rules, below in Café Tips).
• Once the pieces are thawed, simply stack them on top of each other. I like to take my rolling pin and apply a bit of pressure on both ends as well as in the center to "stick" the two pieces together.
• Then, working from the center out to either side, roll the dough into a larger rectangle, approximately 10x15 inches. If the edge is uneven, trim it as needed with a sharp knife.
• Transfer the dough to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Next, using a ruler, score a line 1 inch from the edge, all the way around.
• Prick the inside of the rectangle all over with a fork (this will prevent it from rising in the oven).
• Bake and remove from oven. Gently press down the center with the back of a spoon to flatten.
• Voila! A wonderful tart shell, ready to fill with something delicious!

Cafe Tips for making this Savory Puff Pastry Tart

• There are a few simple rules for working with puff pastry that will ensure success every time:
  • Thaw puff pastry at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before unfolding. If you try to unfold it and it starts to crack along the fold lines, it's probably not quite thawed enough. Give it a few more minutes.
  • If you're not using all of the pastry, only thaw the portion you will be using. Wrap unused portion in plastic wrap and freeze.
  • Keep puff pastry as cold as possible after thawing. Puff pastry has a "thing” about getting warm! It won’t puff nicely in the oven if it gets too warm. If it gets warm while working with it, simply pop it in the fridge for 15-20 minutes to chill before baking.
  • Puff pastry needs a fairly high oven temp to do its' puffing thing, so don't try to lower the temperature given in the recipe.
  • Use a lightly floured surface (and rolling pin) to roll the puff pastry. If it cracks along the fold lines, wet your finger with a bit of water and press the crack together to seal.
  • Baking times may vary from oven to oven. Keep an eye on your pastry during the last 5 minutes. When it's golden and puffy, it's done.
  • Puff pastry doesn't work in the microwave.
• Feel free to vary the toppings for this Savory Puff Pastry Tart. Keep the yogurt filling the same and just change out the ham and asparagus to whatever you have on hand or really enjoy. See post above for some suggestions.
• I used shredded sharp white cheddar for this asparagus and ham tart but lots of other types of cheese would also work. I've used Gouda, mozzarella, Havarti and Monterey Jack, all with delicious results.

5 from 4 votes

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Asparagus and Ham Puff Pastry Tart

This Easy Savory Puff Pastry Tart utilizes purchased puff pastry dough for easy prep. The simple Greek yogurt filling is light, lean and delicious!

Author: Chris Scheuer

Course: Breakfast, Breakfast/Brunch, Lunch, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Savory Puff Pastry Tart

Prep Time: 30 mins

Cook Time: 25 mins

Total Time: 55 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

For the crust:

• 1 17.3- ounce package puff pastry, thawed for 30 minutes I use Pepperidge Farm

For the filling:

• ¼ cup Greek yogurt
• 2 large eggs
• 2 medium cloves garlic finely minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 6 ounces shredded sharp white cheddar cheese

For the topping:

• 2 teaspoons butter
• ½ pound asparagus trimmed and cut (on a diagonal) into approximately 2-inch pieces.
• 1 cup diced lean ham
• fresh thyme leaves for garnish
• 1 egg medium or large

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

For the puff pastry shell:

1. Preheat oven to 400˚F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
2. Lay the two puff pastry on top of each other on a lightly floured work surface. With a rolling pin, push down in several places to “stick” the pastry together, then roll to a 10x14-inch rectangle.
3. Transfer the puff pastry dough to the prepared sheet pan. Lightly score a 1-inch border in all the way around (see pictures above in post), being careful to not cut all the way through the dough. Prick the center (inside the score lines) with a fork.
4. Bake for 12-15 minutes until light golden brown. Remove from the oven and push down any puffy places in the center with the back of a spoon.

For the filling:

1. Whisk the eggs until well combined. Whisk in the yogurt, garlic and salt until smooth. Add the cheese and stir with a fork to combine.
2. Transfer the yogurt filling to the center of the tart shell. Spread and smooth to cover the inner surface.

For the topping:

1. Melt butter in a medium-size saucepan over medium heat. Add the asparagus and cook for 2 minutes stirring occasionally. Add the ham and cook for another 2 minutes until ham is lightly browned.

2. Scatter the asparagus and ham over the yogurt filling. 

3. Combine egg and 1 teaspoon water. Beat vigorously with a fork until well combined. Brush egg mixture over the crust for a nice shiny finish.

4. Bake for 10-12 minutes until filling is set. Sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves for garnish.

Recipe Notes

See Café Tips for more detailed instructions.