

Richard McHargue
Richmond, Kentucky
Bake Off
Bake-Of
This Tex-Mex Appetizer Tart is easy, crowd-pleasing, and just plain fun to serve. No wonder it was a finalist in the 38th Pillsbury Bake-Off® Contest! A flaky Pillsbury™ Pie Crust is topped with a creamy, cheesy filling packed with roasted red peppers and green chiles, bringing just the right balance of richness and mild heat. It’s big Tex-Mex flavor without a lot of work! This appetizer tart is easy to prep, slice, and serve; it’s perfect for parties, game nights, or any time you want a warm, shareable snack that everyone can dig into.
Looking for more tasty recipes to make with Pillsbury™ Pie Crust? We have tons of inspiration, from sweet treats to savory dinners and more!
All these ingredients come together to create that irresistible Tex-Mex taste!
Pillsbury™ Pie Crust: It’s the best shortcut to a perfectly flaky base and makes a sturdy border that holds all that tasty filling.
Shredded Colby-Monterey Jack Cheese Blend: We love this combination of cheeses, because it melts smoothly and delivers a mild, crowd-pleasing cheesy flavor. If you don’t have it on hand, any shredded cheese will work!
Roasted Red Bell Peppers: You can find jars of these in any grocery store. They add sweetness and slight smokiness that balances the richness of the filling.
Old El Paso™ Chopped Green Chiles: These add mild heat and classic Tex-Mex flavor without being too spicy.
Other Ingredients You’ll Need: Mayonnaise makes the filling extra creamy and helps bind everything together, so it’s soft and spreadable. Fresh cilantro or parsley finishes the tart with a touch of freshness and color.
This tart comes together fast with just a few simple steps. Here’s a quick overview—keep scrolling for the full recipe details.
Unroll the pie crust and lay it flat on a baking sheet, giving yourself an easy canvas for the filling.
In a bowl, stir together cheese, roasted peppers, mayo, and green chiles until evenly combined.
Spread the filling over the crust, leaving space around the outside, then fold up the edges and use your fingers to gently pleat the dough to create a rustic, decorative edge.
Bake in a 375°F oven for 25 to 35 minutes, until the crust is deeply golden and the filling is hot and bubbly. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro or parsley, let rest for 10 minutes to set, then slice into wedges and serve warm.
Leftovers of this tart make a great quick snack or next-day appetizer! Here’s how to keep them fresh.
You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Be sure to store them within 2 hours of finishing preparation.
Cut any remaining tart into wedges, then wrap each slice in plastic wrap, and place in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
This tart reheats just like leftover frozen pizza! Remove any plastic wrap and reheat in a 375°F oven for 8 to 10 minutes from the fridge, or for 10 to 12 minutes from the freezer, until piping hot and ready to eat. We wouldn’t recommend reheating the tart in the microwave, as the crust will get too soggy.

Heat oven to 375°F. Remove crust from pouch; place flat on ungreased baking sheet.

In medium bowl, mix cheese, roasted bell peppers, mayonnaise, and chiles. Spread over crust to within 1 inch of edge. Fold crust edge over filling to form 1-inch border, pleating as needed.

Bake 25 to 35 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Sprinkle with cilantro. Let stand 10 minutes. Cut into wedges. Serve warm.

The chopped green chiles aren’t super spicy, but if you’re looking for even less spice, you could use 1/4 cup of finely chopped green bell pepper instead.
For extra heartiness, add 1/2 to 1 cup of ground chicken, pork, or beef—cooked, drained, and seasoned with your favorite taco seasoning. Just add it to the bowl with the rest of the filling!
| Food Component / Nutrient | Amount | % , Daily Value* |
|---|---|---|
| Total Fat | 12g | 18% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 21% |
| Trans Fat | 0g | % Value Not Available |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 3&½g | % Value Not Available |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3&½g | % Value Not Available |
| Omega-3 | 0g | % Value Not Available |
| Cholesterol | 15mg | 5% |
| Sodium | 200mg | 8% |
| Total Carbohydrate | 7g | 2% |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g | 0% |
| Soluble Fiber | 0g | % Value Not Available |
| Insoluble Fiber | 0g | % Value Not Available |
| Sugars | 0g | % Value Not Available |
| Protein | 3g | % Value Not Available |
| Vitamin D | Value Not Available | 0% |
| Calcium | Value Not Available | 8% |
| Iron | Value Not Available | 0% |
| Potassium | 20mg | 1% |
| Vitamin A | Value Not Available | 6% |
| Vitamin C | Value Not Available | 8% |
| Vitamin E | Value Not Available | 2% |
| Thiamin | Value Not Available | 0% |
| Riboflavin | Value Not Available | 2% |
| Niacin | Value Not Available | 0% |
| Vitamin B6 | Value Not Available | 2% |
| Folic Acid | Value Not Available | 0% |
| Vitamin B12 | Value Not Available | 0% |
| Pantothenic Acid | Value Not Available | 0% |
| Phosphorus | Value Not Available | 6% |
| Magnesium | Value Not Available | 0% |
| Zinc | Value Not Available | 2% |
| Manganese | Value Not Available | 0% |
| Selenium | Value Not Available | 2% |
| Copper | Value Not Available | 0% |
| Beta-Carotene | Value Not Available | % Value Not Available |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. | ||


