Description
A quick and delicious recipe for baked tomatoes topped with melted Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses, fresh basil, and a light drizzle of olive oil. Perfect as a flavorful appetizer or side dish, these baked tomatoes combine the richness of cheese with the freshness of herbs.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Tomatoes
- 4 large Roma tomatoes, sliced
Cheese
- 1 cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
Herbs & Seasoning
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for drizzling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the tomatoes: Arrange the sliced Roma tomatoes evenly on the prepared baking sheet, making sure they do not overlap.
- Add the cheese layers: Top each tomato slice first with a generous layer of freshly shredded Parmesan cheese, followed by a layer of shredded mozzarella cheese to create a cheesy topping.
- Sprinkle with basil: Evenly sprinkle the chopped fresh basil over each cheese-topped tomato slice to add a fragrant herbal note.
- Drizzle with olive oil: Lightly drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the tomato slices to enhance the flavor and help the cheese melt beautifully.
- Bake the tomatoes: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Broil to brown: Switch your oven setting to broil and place the baking sheet under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes to achieve a golden-brown, slightly crisp cheese crust. Watch closely to prevent burning.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving these warm, cheesy baked tomatoes as an appetizer or side dish.
Notes
- Use ripe Roma tomatoes for best flavor and firmness.
- Feel free to substitute fresh basil with dried Italian herbs if fresh herbs are unavailable.
- Adjust broiling time based on your oven’s intensity—keep a close eye to avoid burning.
- To make this dish gluten-free, ensure Parmesan cheese is certified gluten-free.
- This dish can be served warm or at room temperature.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1 tomato portion)
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
