Description
This delicious vegetarian dish features oven-roasted tomatoes filled with a savory mixture of herbed rice and topped with melted cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 large ripe tomatoes
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1/2 cup grated mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). As the oven warms up, take your ripe tomatoes and carefully slice off their tops. Use a spoon to scoop out the pulp and seeds, creating a hollow shell. This step is crucial as it makes room for the delicious filling you are about to create. Set aside both the hollowed tomatoes and the pulp, making sure to finely chop the pulp for use in your filling.
- In a skillet, drizzle the olive oil and heat it over medium flame. Once heated, add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté them together until the onion turns transparent and the mixture becomes fragrant—this usually takes around 3-5 minutes. This step lays the flavor foundation of your stuffed tomatoes.
- Next, stir the prepared tomato pulp into the skillet with the sautéed onion and garlic. Cook everything together for an additional five minutes, which will help reduce excess moisture in your filling. Following this, mix in the cooked rice, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper until everything is well combined. Remove the skillet from heat and fold in half of the mozzarella cheese along with all the grated Parmesan cheese.
- Now it’s time to fill your hollowed tomatoes! Carefully stuff each tomato with the rice mixture, making sure to press down lightly to ensure the filling holds. After all tomatoes are filled, top with the remaining mozzarella cheese, sprinkling generously over each one. This will create a delicious, melty topping when baked.
- Place your stuffed tomatoes in the greased baking dish and slide them into the preheated oven. Bake for about 25–30 minutes or until the tops are gloriously golden and the tomatoes are tender to the touch. The aroma will fill your kitchen during this time, making it hard to wait!
Notes
Adjust the cooking time depending on the size of your tomatoes — larger ones may need extra minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
Nutrition
- Calories: Approximately 220 per serving
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Protein: 7 g