Overview

Argentine Ham and Cheese Tart

Name: Argentine Ham and Cheese Tart
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: Argentina
Ingredients: 300g (10.5 oz, about 2 1/2 cups) Plain flour; 150g (5.3 oz) Cold butter; 50g (1.8 oz, 1 large) Egg, for the pastry; 60g (2 fl oz, 1/4 cup) Cold water; 300g (10.5 oz) Cooked ham, diced; 250g (8.8 oz) Mozzarella, grated; 150g (5.3 oz, 3 large) Eggs, for the filling; 200g (7 oz, about 3/4 cup) Heavy cream; 100g (3.5 fl oz, about 1/2 cup) Whole milk; 100g (3.5 oz, 1 medium) Onion, finely chopped; 5g (1 tsp) Fine sea salt; 1g (1/4 tsp) Black pepper, freshly ground; 1g (1/4 tsp) Ground nutmeg

Tarta de Jamon y Queso, Argentine Ham and Cheese Pie

Tarta de jamon y queso is the ham and cheese tart every Argentine bakery sells by the slice: a buttery homemade crust filled with diced cooked ham, melted mozzarella and a silky egg, cream and milk custard, baked until golden and just set. It is lunch, picnic food and late-night snack all in one, and it tastes best still warm from the oven. One serving is about 188 g.

Tarta de jamon y queso is the Argentine answer to the French quiche, brought by French immigrants in the 19th century and remade with local habits: a homemade shortcrust, often made with beef fat, filled with cooked ham and mozzarella. It became a staple of Argentine bakeries and rotisseries, sold by the slice for lunch, and of home kitchens, where it is the quick answer to unexpected guests. Every family has its own version — some add tomato, some add hard-boiled egg — but ham and cheese are the constant.

Pairs well with: Green salad, roasted tomatoes and a glass of red wine.

Provenance

Argentina

Argentine Bakery Classic

Latin America & Caribbean

Time Dedication

1h 10m

30m prep • 40m cook

Batch Yield

8 Servings

553 kcal per serving

1 serving ≈ 188 g

Technical Skill

Intermediate

Medium (Baked Tart)

Meal Timing & Digestive Fit

Breakfast

Not Advised

Lunch

Prime Metabolic Fit

Dinner

Ideal Hearty Main

Snack & Tea

Inappropriate

Occasions: Weekend lunches, picnics, bakery snacks, casual dinners, potlucks Cost: Low — about $2–3 per serving at home

Tags: Pork Egg Cheese Savory Baked

Argentine ham and cheese tart cut into slices on a wooden board, with a golden flaky pastry crust

Argentine Bakery Classic

Photo: Horacio Cambeiro, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nutritional Physiology & Benefits

Nutrition

Energy

553

kcal / serving

Protein

22g

Complete AA

Carbs

33g

Complex

Fats

37g

Healthy

Per serving (8 servings · 1 serving ≈ 188 g)
Energy	553 kcal
Protein	22 g
Carbohydrates	33 g
Fat	37 g
Fibre	1.3 g
Sugar	2.4 g
Sodium	1075 mg

Per 100g
Energy	295 kcal
Protein	11.6 g
Carbohydrates	17.4 g
Fat	20 g
Fibre	0.7 g
Sugar	1.3 g
Sodium	574 mg

Nutrition values are estimated — calculated from USDA FoodData Central values for the listed ingredients.

Vitamins & minerals: Provides calcium and phosphorus from the mozzarella and eggs, plus B vitamins from the ham and pastry.

High in protein

Each serving gives about 21.8 g of protein from the ham, mozzarella and eggs, which helps the meal feel filling.

Calcium from cheese and eggs

Mozzarella and eggs supply calcium and phosphorus, nutrients that support normal bones and teeth.

A complete lunch in one slice

Pastry, ham, cheese and egg together give carbohydrate, protein and fat, so one slice works as a whole meal with salad.

Food Pairings

What to Eat With

To optimize nutrient absorption and elevate the sensory depth, pair with these authentic accompaniments:

Vegetables

Green salad with lemon dressing

The sharp lemon dressing cuts through the rich cheese and buttery pastry and refreshes the palate.

Sides

Roasted tomatoes

Sweet, jammy tomatoes add acidity that balances the salty ham and creamy custard.

Drinks

Red wine

A light Argentine red, such as Malbec, stands up to the ham and cheese without overpowering them.

Mate or black tea

The bitter edge of mate or strong tea cleanses the palate after the rich, buttery tart.

Complete menu

Serve a warm slice of ham and cheese tart with green salad, roasted tomatoes and a glass of Malbec, followed by fresh fruit.

Digestive Guardrails

What NOT to Combine

To prevent digestive distress, sluggishness, or palate clash, avoid pairing the dish with these elements:

Very salty sides in large amounts

The tart is already salty from the ham and cheese, so cured meats or salty crisps alongside can push sodium very high. Keep salty sides small. This is general information, not medical advice.

Eating it fridge-cold straight away

Cold pastry turns firm and the cheese sets solid, so the tart tastes heavy and dull. Warm it gently to 74°C (165°F) before serving. This is general information, not medical advice.

General information only, not medical advice — consult a doctor for personal dietary decisions.

Who Should Eat It

Who Should Eat

General adultsA rich, satisfying lunch. One slice with salad is plenty, since the tart is high in fat and salt.
ChildrenChildren usually love the mild ham and melted cheese. Cut small slices and let it cool to warm, not hot.
ElderlySoft and easy to chew, with no hard pieces. Serve warm in a modest portion, since it is rich.
Pregnant womenMade with fully cooked ham and baked eggs, so there are no raw ingredients. Keep the tart refrigerated and reheat it properly.
Breastfeeding womenA wholesome, filling lunch. The egg and cheese are used in normal culinary amounts.
AthletesA filling, energy-dense lunch. The protein helps recovery, but the fat is high, so pair it with salad.
Weight gainEasy to eat in larger portions, and the pastry, cheese and cream add energy-dense calories.
Weight lossAt about 553 calories a slice, it is a heavy choice. One small slice with a big salad keeps the meal balanced.

Health Conditions — Adjust or Avoid

Conditions

DiabetesOne serving carries about 32.7 g of carbohydrates, mostly from the pastry, so portion size matters and blood sugar should be monitored. If in doubt, ask your clinician or dietitian for advice that fits your own situation.
High blood pressureSodium is high at about 1,075 mg per serving from the ham and cheese, so keep to one slice and skip salty sides. If in doubt, ask your clinician or dietitian for advice that fits your own situation.
Kidney diseaseThe dish is high in protein and potassium is moderate, but the sodium and phosphorus from cheese matter for some kidney diets. If in doubt, ask your clinician or dietitian for advice that fits your own situation.
GoutThe ham and cheese add purines, and the pastry is rich, so keep portions small if gout is a concern. If in doubt, ask your clinician or dietitian for advice that fits your own situation.
Stomach issuesSoft, low-fibre and easy to digest for most people, though the rich cream and cheese may feel heavy. Eat a modest slice with salad. If in doubt, ask your clinician or dietitian for advice that fits your own situation.
Cardiovascular diseaseThe tart is high in saturated fat from butter, cream and cheese, so it is best as an occasional meal rather than a daily one. If in doubt, ask your clinician or dietitian for advice that fits your own situation.
Fatty liverA rich, high-fat meal that fits best occasionally and in a small portion, with salad instead of fried sides. If in doubt, ask your clinician or dietitian for advice that fits your own situation.
Food allergiesContains wheat (pastry), milk (butter, mozzarella, cream), egg and pork (ham). It is free of nuts and fish. If in doubt, ask your clinician or dietitian for advice that fits your own situation.
Special therapeutic dietsSuitable for a general table as written. For a gluten-free table, use a gluten-free pastry; for a lower-fat version, use reduced-fat cheese and milk, which changes the texture. If in doubt, ask your clinician or dietitian for advice that fits your own situation.

If you have a medical condition, consult your doctor before changing your diet.

Storage & Use

How to store: Cool completely, then cover with foil or keep in a sealed container.
In the fridge: 3 days at 4°C (39°F) or below.
In the freezer: Up to 1 month, wrapped tightly in foil and a freezer bag.
How to reheat: Warm in the oven at 180°C (350°F) for 10 minutes, until the centre reaches 74°C (165°F).
Freezing recommended: Yes, the baked tart freezes well.
Signs it has spoiled: Sour smell, slimy filling, or mould on the crust — discard if any appear.

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Overview

Argentine Ham and Cheese Tart

Measured Ingredients

Step-by-Step Cooking Guide

Make the pastry

Line the tin

Blind bake the shell

Mix the filling