Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). If using a store-bought pie crust, place it in a 9-inch pie dish and pre-bake for 8-10 minutes until slightly golden.

Halve fresh tomatoes and place them in a colander to drain excess liquid. Salt generously and let sit for about 10 minutes.

Once the crust is ready, spread chopped onions across the base of the pie crust, then layer the tomatoes evenly, finishing with fresh basil leaves.

In a medium bowl, combine cheese, mayonnaise, hot sauce, and black pepper. Mix until smooth. Spread this mixture over the tomato layer.

Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 45 minutes, checking at the 25-minute mark until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

Let cool for about 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.