Description
Cheesy Baked Tomatoes is a quick and delicious vegetarian side dish featuring thick tomato slices topped with a flavorful blend of Parmesan and fresh mozzarella cheeses, seasoned with garlic powder and fresh basil, then baked to perfection and broiled for a golden brown finish. This simple yet elegant recipe pairs wonderfully with crostini, pasta, or meat dishes.
Ingredients
Tomatoes & Seasoning
- 4 large Roma tomatoes or 4 regular Beefsteak tomatoes, thickly sliced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Cheese & Herbs
- 1 cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup torn fresh mozzarella cheese (about 5 oz)
- ½ cup chopped fresh basil
Other
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Optional: toasted bread for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400˚F (200˚C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for easy cleanup.
- Arrange tomato slices: Lay the thickly sliced tomatoes evenly on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they aren’t overlapping to promote even baking.
- Season the tomatoes: Sprinkle salt, pepper, and garlic powder gently over each tomato slice to impart savory flavors.
- Add cheeses: Generously spoon shredded Parmesan and torn fresh mozzarella over each tomato slice, covering them to create a cheesy topping.
- Drizzle olive oil: Lightly drizzle the olive oil over the cheese and tomatoes, which will help with browning and add richness.
- Sprinkle fresh basil: Scatter the chopped fresh basil atop the cheese for a fragrant, fresh herbal note.
- Bake the tomatoes: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes until the cheeses melt thoroughly and the tomatoes soften slightly.
- Broil to brown: Switch the oven to broil on low and move the baking sheet directly under the broiler. Broil for 2 to 3 minutes, watching carefully, until the cheese bubbles and develops a golden brown crust.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve immediately. These cheesy baked tomatoes pair beautifully with toasted bread (crostini) or as a flavorful side dish alongside your favorite meat or pasta dishes.
Notes
- Use thick slices of firm tomatoes to prevent them from becoming too mushy during baking.
- Fresh mozzarella and Parmesan complement each other by providing creamy meltiness and sharp flavor, but feel free to adjust cheese types or amounts to your taste.
- Keep a close eye during broiling to avoid burning the cheese.
- For a gluten-free option, skip the toasted bread or serve with gluten-free bread.
- This dish is best served hot and fresh from the oven to enjoy optimal texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
