Embrace the abundance of zucchini during its peak season with this effortless and quick Zucchini and Cream Cheese Puff Pastry Tart.
This delightful zucchini puff pastry tart, featuring a savory cream cheese spread, serves as an ideal option for a light lunch or family meal. Additionally, it can be a charming addition to a charcuterie board, alongside assorted cheeses and fruits.

Despite its quick preparation using frozen puff pastry, this recipe doesn't compromise on flavor; in fact, it's downright delicious!
I adore employing puff pastry not just for desserts but also for savory dishes like this zucchini tart. Crafting a savory puff pastry recipe takes mere minutes, yet the end result gives the impression that you've dedicated hours in the kitchen preparing a lavish feast.
Simply spread a layer of creamy cream cheese onto a puff pastry sheet, arrange thinly sliced zucchini on top, and bake until beautifully golden.
Optional:
Elevate its flavor with a delicate drizzle of sweet chili jam, transforming it into a standout addition to picnics, barbecues, or any festive gathering.


Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Serves: 8-10

Ingredients that you will be needing
- Frozen Puff Pastry: Serving as the base of the tart, frozen puff pastry brings flakiness and lightness to the crust. When baked, it puffs up beautifully, creating a golden and crispy foundation that complements the savory toppings.
- All-purpose Flour: Used for dusting the work surface and rolling out the puff pastry, all-purpose flour prevents sticking and ensures smooth handling of the dough, resulting in a uniform and professional-looking tart.
- Cream Cheese: The creamy and tangy cream cheese spread serves as a flavorful base layer for the tart. Its richness adds depth to the dish, while its smooth texture provides a luxurious contrast to the crispness of the pastry and the freshness of the vegetables.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: Sprinkled over the cream cheese layer, grated parmesan cheese adds a savory and nutty flavor profile. Its umami richness enhances the overall complexity of the tart, elevating it to gourmet status.
- Chives: Finely chopped chives contribute a mild onion flavor and a subtle hint of freshness to the tart. Scattered atop the zucchini layer, they provide a pop of color and a delicate herbal aroma that complements the other ingredients.
- Fresh Dill: With its delicate feathery leaves and bright, herbaceous flavor, fresh dill adds a refreshing and aromatic touch to the tart. Its subtle anise-like undertones harmonize with the zucchini and basil, enhancing the overall freshness of the dish.
- Fresh Basil: Fragrant and vibrant, fresh basil leaves lend a sweet and peppery flavor to the tart. Their aromatic essence infuses the dish with Mediterranean charm, while their tender leaves offer a burst of freshness and color.
- Zucchini: Sliced thinly and arranged on top of the cream cheese layer, zucchini brings a mild sweetness and a tender texture to the tart. Its subtle flavor pairs beautifully with the herbs and cheeses, creating a harmonious balance of tastes and textures.
- Egg: Used for egg wash, beaten egg brushed over the pastry before baking gives the tart a glossy and golden finish. It adds a professional touch to the presentation while enhancing the crispness of the crust.
- Milk: Mixed with the egg for the egg wash, milk helps create a thin and even coating that promotes browning and adds a subtle richness to the pastry.
- Sea Salt and Black Pepper: Seasoned to taste with sea salt and black pepper, these classic seasonings enhance the flavors of the tart, bringing out the natural sweetness of the vegetables and the richness of the cheeses.

Quick Thawing Method for Frozen Puff Pastry
- If you need to thaw frozen puff pastry rapidly, begin by removing the sheet from its packaging and placing it on a cutting board or parchment-lined baking sheet on the countertop.
- Allow the pastry sheet to reach a pliable state where you can easily unfold and roll it out. This process typically takes between 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the thickness of the pastry and the ambient temperature.
- Once the pastry is sufficiently pliable for unfolding, transfer it to a floured surface. Using a rolling pin, gently flatten the pastry to smooth out any creases or lines. Then, place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for further preparation."
Directions for making the Zucchini and Cream Cheese Puff Pastry Tart
- Preheat the oven to 400° F and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper.
- Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the thawed puff pastry into a 10 by 14-inch rectangle. Transfer the rolled-out pastry to the prepared baking sheet.
- Using a knife, score a one-half inch border around the edges of the pastry and prick holes all over the inside of the border with a fork.
- Place the puff pastry into the oven and bake until lightly browned and firm to the touch, approximately 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes.
- In the meantime, in a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, 2 tablespoons of grated parmesan, chives, dill, and 2 tablespoons of basil. Season generously with salt and pepper to taste and mix well.
- Slice the zucchini into very thin strips using a mandoline or a vegetable peeler.
- Evenly spread the cream cheese inside the border of the puff pastry and layer the zucchini slices on top. Sprinkle on the remaining parmesan cheese.
- In a small bowl, whisk the egg with the tablespoon of milk until frothy. Brush the egg mixture all over the border of the puff pastry tart.
- Place the puff pastry in the oven and bake until the edges are deeply golden-brown and the zucchini is tender, approximately 20-25 minutes.
- Top with the remaining basil and allow to cool before slicing and serving.

What goes well with Zucchini and Cream Cheese Puff Pastry Tart?
- Mixed Greens Salad: Serve the tart alongside a simple mixed greens salad dressed with a light vinaigrette. The freshness of the greens complements the richness of the tart while providing a refreshing contrast.
- Roasted Vegetables: Roasted vegetables such as cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, and asparagus make excellent side dishes. Their caramelized flavors and tender textures complement the zucchini tart beautifully.
- Sparkling Wine or Lemonade: For beverages, opt for a crisp and refreshing sparkling wine or homemade lemonade. The effervescence of the wine or the tanginess of the lemonade provides a delightful contrast to the flavors of the tart.

Zucchini and Cream Cheese Puff Pastry Tart
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 - 10 servings 1x
Ingredients
1 all-butter frozen puff pastry, thawed
All-purpose flour, for rolling the puff pastry
8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
4 T. grated parmesan cheese, divided
2 T. fresh chives, chopped
3 T. fresh dill, chopped
¼ c. fresh basil, chopped and divided
2 medium zucchini
1 large egg
1 T. milk
Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400° F and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper.
- Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the thawed puff pastry into a 10 by 14-inch rectangle. Transfer the rolled-out pastry to the prepared baking sheet.
- Using a knife, score a one-half inch border around the edges of the pastry and prick holes all over the inside of the border with a fork.
- Place the puff pastry into the oven and bake until lightly browned and firm to the touch, approximately 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes.
- In the meantime, in a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, 2 tablespoons of grated parmesan, chives, dill, and 2 tablespoons of basil. Season generously with salt and pepper to taste and mix well.
- Slice the zucchini into very thin strips using a mandoline or a vegetable peeler.
- Evenly spread the cream cheese inside the border of the puff pastry and layer the zucchini slices on top. Sprinkle on the remaining parmesan cheese.
- In a small bowl, whisk the egg with the tablespoon of milk until frothy. Brush the egg mixture all over the border of the puff pastry tart.
- Place the puff pastry in the oven and bake until the edges are deeply golden-brown and the zucchini is tender, approximately 20-25 minutes.
- Top with the remaining basil and allow to cool before slicing and serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
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