Zesty Baked Tomatoes with Cheese Recipe: Garden Fresh Comfort
Sizzling and golden, these mouthwatering baked tomatoes with cheese promise a burst of flavor that will tantalize your taste buds.
Summer’s ripe tomatoes meld perfectly with melted cheese in this simple yet irresistible dish.
The aroma of bubbling cheese and roasted tomatoes fills the kitchen with warmth and comfort.
Fresh herbs sprinkled on top add a vibrant touch to this classic side dish.
Each bite delivers a perfect balance of tangy tomatoes and rich, gooey cheese.
Quick to prepare and impossible to resist, this recipe turns ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience.
You’ll want to savor every last morsel of these delectable baked tomatoes with cheese.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Calories: 240 kcal
Servings: 5
Ingredients for Baked Tomatoes with Cheese
For Base Ingredients:
Roma Tomatoes: Juicy, meaty tomatoes perfect for baking with a rich, concentrated flavor that holds shape beautifully.
Olive Oil: Adds silky richness and helps ingredients caramelize with a golden, crispy finish.
For Cheese Layer:
Parmesan Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese: Sharp, tangy Parmesan provides deep umami while stretchy mozzarella creates irresistible melty texture and golden brown surface.
For Fresh Herbs:
Fresh Basil: Bright, aromatic herb that brings vibrant green color and classic Mediterranean zest to the dish, enhancing overall flavor profile with its peppery, sweet undertones.
Simple Tools to Make Cheesy Baked Tomatoes
Baking sheet: Essential for roasting tomatoes evenly.
Parchment paper: Prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy.
Sharp knife: For slicing tomatoes into uniform pieces.
Cheese grater: To shred fresh Parmesan if needed.
Pastry brush: Helpful for drizzling olive oil smoothly.
Oven mitts: Protect hands when handling hot baking sheet.
How to Roast Tomatoes with Cheese Topping
Oven Preparation Warm up your kitchen by setting the oven to a toasty temperature, creating the perfect environment for transforming ordinary tomatoes into a mouthwatering delicacy.
Tomato Arrangement Carefully place vibrant tomato slices on a lined baking sheet, creating a colorful canvas that will soon become a delectable treat.
Cheese and Herb Magic Sprinkle a generous layer of creamy Parmesan and melty mozzarella over each tomato slice, then crown them with fragrant fresh basil leaves and a silky drizzle of golden olive oil.
Baking Transformation Send your creation into the hot oven, allowing the heat to work its magic for a short time. Then, activate the broiler to create a golden, crispy cheese topping that will make your taste buds dance.
Serving Delight Bring these gorgeous baked tomatoes to the table while they're warm, ready to be enjoyed as a show-stopping side dish or a crowd-pleasing appetizer that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Seasoning Tips for Baked Cheesy Tomatoes
Let cheese reach room temperature before baking to ensure smooth, even melting across tomato slices.
Choose ripe, firm tomatoes like Roma or beefsteak varieties that hold their shape during roasting and provide rich, concentrated flavor.
Experiment with different fresh herbs beyond basil – try oregano, thyme, or rosemary to create unique Mediterranean-inspired taste profiles.
For extra crispiness, sprinkle breadcrumbs or panko over the cheese before baking to create a delightful golden-brown crunchy topping.
Best Ways to Serve Cheesy Baked Tomatoes
Fresh Garden Companion: Pair these cheesy tomatoes alongside a crisp green salad with light vinaigrette for a refreshing contrast to the warm, melted cheese.
Rustic Bread Delight: Serve atop toasted crusty Italian bread or ciabatta slices to create an elegant bruschetta-style appetizer that highlights the melted cheese and roasted tomato flavors.
Protein Partner: Complement the dish with grilled chicken, baked fish, or as a delectable side for a summer barbecue, adding a vibrant and flavorful element to your main course.
Mediterranean Mezze Platter: Arrange these baked tomatoes on a platter with olives, hummus, tzatziki, and sliced cucumber for a colorful and appetizing Mediterranean-inspired spread perfect for sharing.
Tips to Keep Tomatoes from Getting Mushy
Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover baked tomatoes in an airtight container, keeping them fresh for 2-3 days in the refrigerator. Enjoy the best flavor and texture when consumed within this timeframe.
Reheating Magic: Warm up cold tomato slices in a preheated oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to restore their crispy cheese topping and bring back the original delicious taste.
Ingredient Freshness Tip: Select ripe, firm tomatoes and use fresh mozzarella and Parmesan for maximum flavor. Check cheese and basil expiration dates before preparing the dish.
Make-Ahead Genius: Prepare tomato slices and cheese topping in advance, covering them with plastic wrap in the refrigerator. Bake just before serving to maintain optimal texture and warmth.
Mediterranean roasted tomatoes with mozzarella deliver garden-fresh flavors through simple ingredients. Herb-infused cheese melts perfectly over ripe tomatoes, creating a delightful side dish you’ll crave repeatedly.
Ingredients
Scale
4 large roma tomatoes, sliced
1 cup freshly shredded parmesan cheese
1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
0.5 cup (½ cup) chopped fresh basil
1 tbsp olive oil, for drizzling
Instructions
Preparation: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
Slicing and Arrangement: Cut ripe tomatoes into uniform 1/4-inch rounds and position them in a single, non-overlapping layer across the prepared baking sheet.
Cheese Layering: Create a flavor-packed foundation by sprinkling Parmesan cheese over each tomato slice, followed by a generous covering of shredded mozzarella to ensure a rich, melted texture.
Herbal and Oil Enhancement: Scatter torn fresh basil leaves across the cheese-topped tomatoes and drizzle extra virgin olive oil evenly to boost flavor and encourage golden browning.
Initial Baking: Slide the baking sheet into a preheated 400°F (200°C) oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, allowing tomatoes to soften and cheese to begin melting.
Final Broiling and Serving: Activate the broiler for 2-3 minutes to achieve a perfectly golden-brown, slightly crispy cheese topping. Remove from oven and allow a brief 1-2 minute rest before serving warm as an elegant side dish or appetizer.
Notes
Slice Uniformly: Consistent 1/4-inch tomato rounds ensure even cooking and professional presentation.
Cheese Layer Strategy: Apply Parmesan first, then mozzarella to create a complex, rich melted cheese texture with perfect golden browning.
Prevent Soggy Outcome: Avoid overlapping tomato slices and use parchment paper to maintain crisp edges and prevent moisture buildup.
Broiling Precision: Watch carefully during final 2-3 minutes to achieve golden-brown cheese without burning, as temperature can quickly change.
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO
Degree: Diploma in Culinary Arts
Focus: Hands-on training in classic and modern culinary techniques, emphasizing sustainable cooking practices, kitchen professionalism, and real-world restaurant experience through externships.
Oregon State University
Degree: B.S. in Nutrition and Food Management
Focus: In-depth study of human nutrition, food safety, meal planning, and food-service operations, with a strong foundation in public health, dietetics, and community-based nutrition programs.
Sophie Reynolds is the recipe developer and culinary voice behind many of the approachable, flavor-focused creations at The Dream Café.
Sophie’s style leans into comfort food made simple: wholesome, satisfying meals anyone can make with confidence. Her passion lies in helping home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen while finding joy in the everyday act of cooking.
Sophie Reynolds
Co-Founder, Recipe Curator & Culinary Educator
Expertise
Education
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO
Oregon State University
Sophie Reynolds is the recipe developer and culinary voice behind many of the approachable, flavor-focused creations at The Dream Café.
Sophie’s style leans into comfort food made simple: wholesome, satisfying meals anyone can make with confidence. Her passion lies in helping home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen while finding joy in the everyday act of cooking.