Onion, Cheese, and Bacon Tart
Peer reviewed by UK recipe editorsAuthored by UK recipe editorsOriginally published 17 Jan 2026
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This savoury onion, cheese and bacon tart is a wonderful example of classic home baking, combining a crisp, buttery shortcrust pastry with a rich, velvety custard filling. The sweetness of the slow-cooked caramelised onions provides a beautiful contrast to the salty tang of the Gruyère cheese and the smoky crunch of the bacon lardons. It is an elegant yet comforting dish that works beautifully for a weekend lunch or as part of a seasonal buffet spread.
As a versatile savoury tart, it can be prepared slightly in advance and served either warm from the oven or at room temperature. For a complete meal, serve a generous slice alongside a crisp green salad tossed in a sharp vinaigrette. The richness of the cream and egg filling makes it a satisfying choice that feels special enough for entertaining guests while remaining simple to master for any home cook.
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Ingredients for Onion, Cheese, and Bacon Tart
130g unbleached plain flour
1/4 teaspoons salt
60g (1/2 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 tablespoons chilled solid vegetable shortening, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 tablespoons (or more) ice water
3 thick-cut bacon slices, chopped
1 large onion, thinly sliced
Pinch of sugar
240ml whipping cream
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1/4 teaspoons ground black pepper
Generous pinch of salt
Generous pinch of ground nutmeg
60g (packed) coarsely grated Gruyère cheese
How to make Onion, Cheese, and Bacon Tart
Blend flour and salt in processor. Add butter and shortening; using on/off turns, cut in until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add 2 tablespoons ice water and process until moist clumps form, adding more ice water by teaspoonfuls if dough is dry. Gather dough into ball; flatten into disk. Wrap in plastic and chill at least 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 204°C. Roll out dough on lightly floured work surface to 11-inch round. Transfer to 9-inch tart pan with removable bottom. Press dough onto bottom and up sides of pan. Pierce crust all over with fork. Freeze 10 minutes. Line crust with foil; fill with dried beans or pie weights. Bake crust 10 minutes. Remove foil and beans. Bake until crust is set and partially cooked through, about 15 minutes longer. Cool crust while making filling. Maintain oven temperature.
Sauté bacon in medium skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 4 minutes. Transfer bacon to paper towels to drain. Add onion and pinch of sugar to drippings in skillet and sauté until onion is deep golden brown, about 20 minutes. Whisk cream, egg, egg yolk, pepper, salt, and nutmeg in small bowl to blend. Spread onion over bottom of baked crust; sprinkle bacon over, then cheese. Pour cream mixture over.
Bake until tart is puffed and filling is set, about 25 minutes. Cool tart on rack 10 minutes. Remove pan sides. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Disclaimer
While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.
Article history
The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.
17 Jan 2026 | Originally published
Authored by:
UK recipe editors
Peer reviewed by
UK recipe editors

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