Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It brings together fresh vegetables and rich cheese in a single elegant tart.
- The puff pastry crust adds flakiness and visual appeal with minimal fuss.
- It’s versatile — can be served warm or at room temperature.
- Great for gatherings, brunches, or a lovely vegetarian entrée.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Puff pastry sheet
- Green beans (trimmed)
- Mixed mushrooms (e.g. cremini, shiitake, button)
- Butter
- Garlic
- Fresh thyme leaves
- Ricotta cheese
- Herbed goat cheese
- Egg (for binding or wash)
- Mild white cheddar (shredded)
- Shallots (for crispy topping)
- Oil (for frying shallots)
- Salt & pepper
Directions
- Preheat the oven (to about 425 °F / 220 °C).
- Blanch the green beans in salted boiling water for ~2 minutes until bright and slightly tender. Transfer to an ice bath to stop cooking, then drain and pat dry.
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter. Add the mushrooms and sauté until they begin to brown (~5 minutes). Add garlic and thyme, cook another minute, then season with salt. Transfer the mixture off heat.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta, herbed goat cheese, and a pinch of salt, until smooth.
- Roll (or unfold) the puff pastry into a rectangle. Brush the edges with beaten egg (optional).
- Spread the cheese mixture over the pastry, leaving a border. Layer the green beans, then spoon the mushroom mixture over them. Top with shredded cheddar.
- Bake until the pastry edges are golden and the cheese is bubbling (about 25 minutes).
- Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, fry the thinly sliced shallots in oil until crisp, then drain on paper towels and season with salt.
- Once tart is done, sprinkle the crispy shallots over the top. Slice and serve.
Servings and timing
- Servings: about 4
- Prep time: 25 minutes
- Bake time: ~25 minutes
- Total time: ~1 hour 25 minutes (including blanching, cooking, assembly) (Delish)
Variations
- Use a different cheese blend (e.g. Gruyère, fontina, or Swiss) instead of (or in addition to) cheddar.
- Substitute cream cheese or mascarpone for part of the ricotta.
- Add caramelized onions under the mushrooms for sweetness.
- Use a savory pie crust instead of puff pastry.
- Incorporate other vegetables (e.g. asparagus, roasted peppers) alongside or instead of green beans.
- Use mixed wild mushrooms for deeper flavor.
Storage/Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at ~350 °F (175 °C) until warmed through and the pastry crisped again. Avoid microwaving, as it may sog the crust.
FAQs
What type of mushrooms work best?
A mix of cremini, shiitake, or button mushrooms brings depth. Use whatever you have on hand or like.
Do I have to blanch the green beans?
Yes — blanching helps preserve color, partially cooks them, and prevents undercooked texture in the finished tart.
Can I use a different crust?
Yes — a savory shortcrust pastry or even a store-bought pie crust can replace the puff pastry. Adjust baking times accordingly.
Is this tart vegetarian?
Yes — it contains no meat, so it fits into a vegetarian diet (assuming cheese is acceptable).
Can I omit the crispy shallot topping?
Yes — it’s optional, though it adds a nice crunch and flavor contrast.
Can I make this ahead?
You can prep the vegetables and cheese mixture ahead, then assemble and bake just before serving.
How do I get a crisp bottom crust?
Bake on a preheated baking sheet or preheat the baking stone. Avoid soggy spreads underneath; ensure excess moisture is drained.
Can I freeze it?
You can freeze the unbaked assembled tart, wrapped well, for a short period (1 month or so). Thaw in the fridge before baking. The baked tart may lose crispness when thawed.
Can I serve it cold?
Yes — it tastes good warm or at room temperature, making it suitable for buffets or brunch spreads.
Conclusion
This Cheesy Green Bean & Mushroom Tart is a beautiful and satisfying way to showcase vegetables with the richness of creamy cheeses and a flaky crust. Whether for a fancy brunch or an elegant vegetarian entrée, it combines texture, flavor, and visual appeal. Give it a try — it’s sure to become a favorite.
Print
Cheesy Green Bean & Mushroom Tart
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Cheesy Green Bean & Mushroom Tart is a savory puff pastry tart layered with creamy cheeses, sautéed mushrooms, and blanched green beans, then topped with crispy shallots. It’s elegant, flavorful, and perfect as a vegetarian main or side dish.
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 8 oz green beans, trimmed
- 8 oz mixed mushrooms (cremini, shiitake, or button), sliced
- 1 tbsp butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup herbed goat cheese
- 1 egg, beaten (for wash, optional)
- 1/2 cup shredded mild white cheddar
- 2 shallots, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup oil (for frying shallots)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Blanch green beans in salted boiling water for 2 minutes. Transfer to ice water, then drain and pat dry.
- In a skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and sauté for ~5 minutes until browned. Add garlic and thyme; cook 1 more minute. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
- In a bowl, combine ricotta, herbed goat cheese, and a pinch of salt until smooth.
- Roll out puff pastry on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush edges with beaten egg if using.
- Spread cheese mixture over pastry, leaving a border. Layer green beans, then spoon mushrooms on top. Sprinkle shredded cheddar over everything.
- Bake for ~25 minutes or until pastry is golden and cheese is bubbly.
- Meanwhile, fry sliced shallots in oil over medium heat until crispy. Drain on paper towels and season with salt.
- Top baked tart with crispy shallots. Let cool slightly, slice, and serve.
Notes
- Use a preheated baking sheet to help crisp the bottom crust.
- For extra flavor, add caramelized onions under the mushroom layer.
- Can be served warm or at room temperature — great for entertaining.
- Substitute Gruyère, fontina, or Swiss for the cheddar if desired.
- Make ahead by prepping components and assembling just before baking.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 370mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 60mg