Description
Zesty baked tomatoes with cheese bring Mediterranean charm to your table. Ripe tomatoes mingle with melted cheese, creating a simple yet irresistible side dish you can’t wait to savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese:
- 1 cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
Tomatoes and Herbs:
- 4 large Roma tomatoes, sliced
- 0.5 cup (½ cup) chopped fresh basil
Oil:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, for drizzling
Instructions
- Prepare the baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Carefully slice ripe tomatoes into uniform 1/4-inch (0.6-centimeter) thick rounds, ensuring each slice has a consistent thickness for even cooking.
- Arrange the tomato slices in a single layer across the prepared baking sheet, making sure they do not overlap or touch each other.
- Generously sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over each tomato slice, creating a light but complete coverage.
- Add a layer of shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the Parmesan, allowing the cheeses to meld and create a rich, melted texture.
- Delicately tear fresh basil leaves and distribute them evenly across the cheese-topped tomato slices.
- Drizzle extra virgin olive oil in a thin, even stream over each tomato slice to enhance flavor and promote golden browning.
- Position the baking sheet in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) and bake for 8-10 minutes until the tomatoes soften and the cheese begins to melt.
- Switch the oven to broil and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to achieve a golden-brown, slightly crispy cheese topping.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 1-2 minutes before serving warm as an elegant side dish or appetizer.
Notes
- These cheesy baked tomatoes transform simple ingredients into a mouthwatering dish that steals the spotlight at any meal.
- Freshly picked summer tomatoes create the most vibrant and flavorful base for this quick Mediterranean-inspired side.
- Parmesan and mozzarella melt together, creating a golden, crispy topping that adds irresistible texture and rich flavor.
- Drizzling extra virgin olive oil before baking helps intensify the natural sweetness of ripe tomatoes and promotes even browning.
- Fresh basil leaves scattered on top bring a bright, herbaceous note that cuts through the richness of melted cheese.
- Perfect for entertaining or as a simple weeknight side, these baked tomatoes require minimal prep and deliver maximum taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 610 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 100mg