The Ultimate Courgette Ricotta Tart Recipe – Fresh & Tangy Magic

Zesty courgette ricotta tarts burst with vibrant Mediterranean flavors that dance across your palate.

Bold green vegetables elevate ordinary pastry into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Delicate ricotta creates a creamy landscape where summer’s freshest ingredients intertwine deliciously.

Light, crisp pastry serves as the perfect canvas for this elegant dish.

Seasonal produce elevates simple ingredients into something remarkably sophisticated and memorable.

Herbs and spices weave complex layers of texture and brightness throughout each delectable bite.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike appreciate the elegant simplicity of this remarkable recipe.

What’s Special About Zesty Courgette Ricotta Tart

• Elevate Everyday Ingredients: Transform simple courgettes and ricotta into a stunning, restaurant-worthy tart that looks impressive but requires minimal culinary skills.
• Burst with Fresh Mediterranean Flavors: The zesty lemon, creamy ricotta, and aromatic mint create a vibrant taste profile that transports your palate to sunny coastal landscapes with every bite.
• Master Effortless Elegance: This recipe offers a professional-looking dish that appears complicated but actually involves straightforward techniques like layering, spreading, and folding – perfect for home cooks seeking to impress without complex cooking methods.
• Quick Weekend Crowd-Pleaser: Ready in just 35 minutes, this tart works beautifully as a light lunch, elegant starter, or casual weekend brunch option that feels sophisticated yet relaxed.

Every Ingredient That Brings the Tart to Life

• Puff Pastry: Delicate, buttery base that creates a crisp and flaky foundation for the tart. All-butter varieties provide the best flavor and texture.

• Ricotta Cheese: Creamy, mild cheese that serves as a smooth base layer. Fresh, high-quality ricotta ensures a rich and delicate taste.
• Lemon: Bright citrus zest that adds freshness and lifts the overall flavor profile. Choose organic lemons for the most aromatic zest.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance the ricotta's natural flavor. Freshly ground black pepper provides the best taste.

• Courgettes (Zucchini): Fresh, light vegetable that provides a colorful and tender topping. Choose firm, small to medium-sized courgettes with vibrant green color.
• Olive Oil: Adds a luxurious sheen and rich flavor to the tart. Extra virgin olive oil works best for maximum taste.

• Fresh Mint: Bright, aromatic herb that adds a final fresh touch. Choose bright green leaves with no wilting.

Instructions to Bake Courgette Tart with Creamy Ricotta

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Baking Surface

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) with static heat. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.

Step 2: Ready the Pastry Base

Place the puff pastry on the prepared baking tray. Use a fork or knife to gently prick the pastry surface, preventing it from puffing up too much during baking.

Step 3: Create Ricotta Spread

• Ricotta cheese
• Lemon zest
• Salt
• Pepper

Mix until ingredients are well incorporated.

Step 4: Layer Ricotta on Pastry

Spread the ricotta mixture evenly over the pastry, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges for a rustic look.

Step 5: Slice Courgettes

Using a mandoline or sharp knife, thinly slice the courgettes. For visual appeal, try alternating between green and yellow varieties if available.

Step 6: Arrange Vegetable Topping

Carefully place courgette slices on top of the ricotta spread. Create an overlapping pattern for an elegant presentation.

Step 7: Create Pastry Border

Gently fold the pastry edges inward, creating a small raised rim around the tart.

Step 8: Add Final Touches

Drizzle olive oil over the courgette slices to enhance flavor and promote even browning.

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Place the tart in the lower third of the oven. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the pastry turns a beautiful golden brown.

Step 10: Garnish and Serve

Finely chop fresh mint leaves. Sprinkle the mint over the tart just before serving to add a bright, fresh flavor.

Tips for a Crisp Crust and Silky Filling

• Select Fresh Courgettes: Choose young, firm zucchini with bright green color and smooth skin for the best flavor and texture.
• Master Mandoline Technique: Use a mandoline slicer with caution, creating ultra-thin, uniform courgette slices for even cooking and elegant presentation.
• Control Moisture Level: Pat courgette slices with paper towels to remove excess water, preventing a soggy pastry base.
• Boost Flavor Complexity: Experiment with different herbs like thyme or basil alongside mint for a more nuanced taste profile.
• Achieve Perfect Pastry Crispness: Position the tart in the lower third of the oven to ensure a golden, crispy bottom and prevent burning the delicate puff pastry.

How to Keep Courgette Tart Fresh and Flavorful

• Refrigeration: Store leftover tart in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Wrap carefully with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent moisture loss and maintain pastry's crispy texture.
• Reheating: Warm individual slices in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes. This method helps restore the pastry's original crispness and revives the fresh flavors of courgettes and ricotta.
• Freezing: For longer storage, freeze entire tart or individual slices wrapped tightly in freezer-safe packaging for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating to preserve quality and taste.

Perfect Matches for Courgette and Ricotta Tart

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: A chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio complements the zesty lemon and fresh mint, cutting through the creamy ricotta while enhancing the delicate courgette flavors.
• Serve with Light Arugula Salad: Create a peppery side salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to mirror the tart's bright notes and add refreshing crunch alongside the buttery pastry.
• Match with Herb-Infused Sparkling Water: Prepare a sparkling water with fresh basil or cucumber slices to provide a clean, palate-cleansing drink that won't overpower the tart's subtle ingredients.
• Enjoy with Goat Cheese Appetizer: Offer a small plate of herbed goat cheese and crackers before the tart to continue the Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile and prepare guests for the main dish.

Variations to Give This Tart a Seasonal Spin

• Summer Garden Veggie Tart: Replace courgettes with a colorful mix of thinly sliced bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and yellow squash for a vibrant vegetable medley.
• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Add crumbled feta cheese and sprinkle dried oregano and thyme over the ricotta mixture to bring Mediterranean flavors to the tart.
• Smoky Bacon and Herb Upgrade: Crisp up some bacon bits and scatter them over the tart before baking, then garnish with fresh chives for an extra savory profile.
• Goat Cheese Alternative: Swap ricotta with creamy goat cheese and top with caramelized onions for a rich and tangy version of the original recipe.

Zesty Courgette Ricotta Tart Recipe

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4.5 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Zesty Courgette Ricotta Tart brings Mediterranean sunshine to your plate with elegant layers of creamy ricotta and delicate summer squash. Crisp pastry and herbal notes create a light, refreshing dish perfect for enjoying leisurely afternoons with friends.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 sheet all-butter puff pastry
• 1 small yellow courgette
• 1 small green courgette

Dairy and Cheese:

• 2 tablespoons ricotta cheese

Seasoning and Herbs:

• ½ lemon zest
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• A drizzle olive oil
• A few fresh mint leaves

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) using static heat setting, ensuring an even temperature distribution.
2. Carefully unfold the puff pastry onto a clean baking tray, smoothing out any wrinkles.
3. Using a fork or sharp knife, delicately perforate the pastry surface to prevent excessive rising during baking.
4. In a medium mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese with freshly grated lemon zest, kosher salt, and cracked black pepper, stirring until well incorporated.
5. Spread the seasoned ricotta mixture evenly across the pastry, maintaining a 1-inch border around the edges for a rustic presentation.
6. Utilize a mandoline slicer to create paper-thin, uniform courgette slices with precision.
7. Artfully layer the translucent courgette slices atop the ricotta, creating an overlapping pattern that alternates colors for visual appeal.
8. Gently fold the pastry edges inward, creating a slight raised border to contain the filling.
9. Drizzle extra virgin olive oil in a light, circular motion over the arranged courgette slices.
10. Position the tart in the lower third of the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until the pastry achieves a golden, crisp texture.
11. Finely chop fresh mint leaves just before serving to preserve their vibrant flavor and aroma.
12. Garnish the tart with the chopped mint, releasing a burst of herbal freshness over the warm, crisp surface.

Notes

• Slice courgettes paper-thin using a mandoline for elegant, uniform layers that cook evenly and look professional.
• Opt for fresh, firm courgettes with vibrant green color to ensure maximum flavor and texture in the tart.
• Use room temperature ricotta for smoother spreading and better blending with lemon zest and seasonings.
• Position the tart in the lower third of the oven to achieve a perfectly crisp, golden pastry base without burning.
• Let the tart cool for 5-10 minutes after baking to allow the pastry to set and make slicing easier.
• Experiment with different colored courgettes like yellow and green for a visually stunning presentation.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 220 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg