Trenton Tomato Pie Pizza

Rectangular slices of Trenton Tomato Pie with melted cheese and tomato sauce rest on a wooden cutting board. The thin, crispy crust features visible browned edges, highlighting this classic pizza style. - 5

Nine rectangular slices of Trenton Tomato Pie with a crispy, slightly charred crust, melted cheese, and pepperoni on a wooden surface. - 6

Close-up of thick, rectangular slices of Trenton Tomato Pie with melted cheese and tomato sauce, stacked on a white plate. The airy, golden brown crust highlights this classic style. - 8

Close-up of rectangular slices of Trenton Tomato Pie with melted cheese and tomato sauce on a wooden cutting board. - 9

A close-up of a hand lifting a cheesy slice of freshly baked Trenton Tomato Pie from a wooden cutting board, with gooey melted cheese stretching from the pizza. - 10

in this article:

Know Before You Scroll
Trenton Tomato Pie, Jersey Girl Approved
How To Make Trenton Tomato Pie
Trenton Tomato Pie
Erren’s Top Tips
Storage & Freezing Instructions
FAQs

This crispy, saucy Trenton Tomato Pie Pizza is layered in reverse with sweet roasted tomatoes and gooey cheese – Pizza night upgraded!

Know Before You Scroll

Serves

6 people

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

45 mins

Total Time

1 hr

Flavor Profile

Think crispy-bottomed crust, sweet caramelized tomatoes, melty mozzarella, and a rich, slightly tangy tomato-on-top finish. It’s pizza—but flipped and full of flavor.

Difficulty Level

Easy to medium. It’s mostly hands-off, but you’ll want to keep an eye on roasting and baking times for that perfect texture.

Equipment Needed

Baking sheet, silicone mat or parchment paper, pot, knife, spoon, cooking spray, oven.

Top Tip

Roast those tomatoes low and slow—don’t skip it! It brings out a jammy, deep flavor that really makes the sauce sing.

Time-Saving Tips

Use store-bought tomato sauce and pre-shredded mozzarella. Still delicious, zero judgment.

Ingredient Swaps

No Roma tomatoes? Use any plum tomatoes or even canned whole peeled tomatoes in a pinch—just drain them well before roasting.

Storage Tips

Trenton Tomato Pie, Jersey Girl Approved

Confession time—I’m a Jersey girl, and somehow I just discovered Trenton tomato pie. I lived 15 minutes from Trenton for eight years! How did I miss this gem for so long?! This pizza flips the script in the most delicious way: cheese first, sauce on top, and a crust that’s crisp and perfectly chewy.

When I was developing this recipe, I started with a regular sauce—it was good, but something was missing. Then, to really amp up the flavor, I tried roasting tomatoes with olive oil and a little seasoning and mixing them into the sauce. It’s simple but seriously game-changing—rich, slightly sweet, and totally worthy of pizza night status. I used my easy homemade tomato sauce and go-to pizza crust , but store-bought totally works. The best part? Mixing in those roasted tomatoes adds depth and flavor to even jarred sauce , so you get big flavor with minimal effort.

Close-up of rectangular slices of Trenton Tomato Pie with melted cheese and tomato sauce on a wooden cutting board. - 15

You can find the full, printable recipe at the top of this post , but you can read the detailed instructions with photos for each step below.

How To Make Trenton Tomato Pie

Roast the Tomatoes

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment or a silicone mat, and slice up 4 Roma tomatoes. Lay them out in a single layer, then sprinkle with kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a light drizzle of olive oil. Roast those beauties for 30 minutes until they’re soft, caramelized, and kind of jammy. Yes please.

Two side-by-side baking sheets: the left shows raw tomato slices seasoned with salt and pepper, while the right displays the same slices after roasting, visibly shrunk and browned—perfect for topping a classic Trenton Tomato Pie. - 16

Make the Sauce Extra Special

While those are roasting, warm up 2 cups of tomato sauce in a large pot over medium heat. Once the tomatoes are done, chop them roughly and stir them into the sauce with 2 tablespoons of sugar. This is where the magic happens—roasty tomato sweetness meets saucy goodness.

A cutting board with chopped sun-dried tomatoes and a chef’s knife on top, above a pot filled with tomato sauce, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and seasonings—perfect ingredients for an authentic Trenton Tomato Pie. - 17

Get That Crust Ready

Crank your oven up to 450°F. Grab a 12×18 inch rimmed baking sheet and spray it with cooking spray, then dust it lightly with cornmeal. Roll out 1 pound of pizza dough and press it right into the pan, stretching it to fit edge to edge. Rustic edges? Totally fine.

Two side-by-side baking sheets: the left one dusted with yellow cornmeal, and the right one holding an evenly stretched sheet of dough, ready for a classic Trenton Tomato Pie. - 18

Layer Like a Jersey Pro

Here’s the twist—mozzarella goes first! Sprinkle 2 cups of shredded full-fat mozzarella over the dough. Then spoon that sweet tomato sauce right on top. Yes, sauce on top. That’s the Trenton way.

A rectangular sheet pan pizza reminiscent of a classic Trenton Tomato Pie, featuring an uncooked crust, shredded cheese, and unevenly spread tomato sauce—this pizza is ready to be baked. - 19

Bake to Golden Perfection

Pop it into the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the crust is golden and crispy and the center is bubbling and hot. It should smell like you’re winning at life right now.

A rectangular pizza with melted cheese and a golden crust sits in a metal baking pan, viewed from above. Reminiscent of a classic Trenton Tomato Pie, pepperoni slices are spread unevenly over the surface. - 20

Slice and Serve

Let it cool just a bit, slice into squares, and serve warm. Crunchy crust, gooey cheese, roasted tomato richness—this is not just pizza. This is Trenton Tomato Pie .

Nine rectangular slices of Trenton Tomato Pie with a crispy, slightly charred crust, melted cheese, and pepperoni on a wooden surface. - 21

Ingredients

▢ 4 Roma tomatoes (cored and sliced)
▢ Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
▢ Extra-virgin olive oil
▢ 2 cups Tomato Sauce (see below)
▢ 2 tablespoons sugar
▢ Cornmeal for dusting
▢ 1 lb Pizza Dough
▢ 2 cups shredded full-fat mozzarella cheese

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F/175°C and line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper.
Arrange the tomato slices on the sheet, then sprinkle with salt and pepper and lightly drizzle with olive oil. Roast for 30 minutes until softened and slightly caramelized.
Increase the oven temperature to 450°F/230°C.
Meanwhile, warm the tomato sauce in a large pot over medium heat. Roughly chop the roasted tomatoes and stir them into the sauce along with the sugar.
Prepare a rimmed baking sheet (approximately 12×18 inches) by spraying it with cooking spray and dusting it lightly with cornmeal.
Roll out your pizza dough into a rectangle and press it into the baking sheet, stretching it to fit. Evenly scatter the mozzarella over the dough, then spoon the tomato sauce on top.
Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the crust turns golden and the center is perfectly cooked. Slice into portions and serve warm. Enjoy!

Tips

Erren’s Top Tips

Storage & Freezing Instructions

Nutrition

What makes Trenton Tomato Pie different from regular pizza?

The sauce goes on top of the cheese, not underneath. This method gives the crust a crispier texture and highlights the tomato flavor.

Can I use store-bought dough?

Absolutely. Store-bought pizza dough works perfectly and makes this recipe weeknight-friendly.

What kind of tomatoes are best?

Roma tomatoes are ideal—they’re meatier and less watery. But plum tomatoes or drained canned whole tomatoes also work.

Can I make this on a pizza stone or in a cast iron pan?

A baking sheet is more traditional for Trenton Tomato Pie, but you can use a stone or cast iron if you preheat it well and adapt the shape.

Is it okay to use pre-shredded cheese?

Yes, but freshly shredded mozzarella melts better. Pre-shredded works in a pinch, just check for anti-caking agents that can affect melting.

Can I add toppings?

You sure can. While traditional Trenton Tomato Pie is usually just cheese and sauce, thinly sliced onions, sausage, or roasted garlic are all fair game.