French Rustic Mushroom and Gruyère Tart with Thyme
A savory tart combining earthy mushrooms and nutty Gruyère cheese accented with fresh thyme in a flaky pastry crust. This french-inspired vegetarian ready in about 80 minutes layers all-purpose flour, cold and cubed unsalted butter, ice water into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 6, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 7 tbsp, cold and cubed unsalted butter
- 3 tbsp ice water
- 10 oz, sliced button mushrooms
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2, minced garlic cloves
- 1 small, finely chopped shallot
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 cup grated Gruyère cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/8 tsp nutmeg
Instructions
- Step 1: Make tart dough by combining 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour and 7 tbsp cold cubed unsalted butter in a bowl. Use fingertips or a pastry blender to cut butter into flour until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add 3 tbsp ice water, mixing until dough forms a ball. Wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.
- Step 2: While dough chills, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 10 oz sliced button mushrooms, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 small chopped shallot, and 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves. Sauté for 8 minutes until mushrooms release moisture and edges turn golden. Remove from heat.
- Step 3: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll chilled dough on a floured surface into a 12-inch circle and fit into a 9-inch tart pan, trimming edges.
- Step 4: In a bowl, whisk 1/2 cup heavy cream, 2 large eggs, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/8 tsp nutmeg until smooth.
- Step 5: Spread mushroom mixture evenly over tart shell. Sprinkle 1 cup grated Gruyère cheese on top. Pour egg and cream mixture over filling.
- Step 6: Bake tart on middle rack for 35-40 minutes until custard is set and crust is golden. Let cool 10 minutes before slicing and serving warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does French Rustic Mushroom and Gruyère Tart with Thyme take to make?
Total time is about 80 minutes (40 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover French Rustic Mushroom and Gruyère Tart with Thyme?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in French Rustic Mushroom and Gruyère Tart with Thyme?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale French Rustic Mushroom and Gruyère Tart with Thyme for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with French Rustic Mushroom and Gruyère Tart with Thyme?
French vegetarian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
