Quick & Cozy: Ina Garten Tomato Gratin Recipe for Dinner Magic

Tomato gratin stands as a culinary marvel that transforms simple ingredients into a mouthwatering masterpiece.

Fresh summer produce meets rustic French-inspired cooking in this vibrant dish.

Her signature style elevates humble ingredients with elegant techniques and bold flavors.

Layered textures create a harmonious blend of crispy bread crumbs and juicy tomatoes.

Each bite promises a delightful combination of herbs, cheese, and garden-fresh goodness.

Mediterranean influences shine through in this comforting and sophisticated side dish.

The recipe speaks to home cooks who appreciate straightforward yet impressive preparations: savor every delectable moment.

Helpful Tomato Gratin Tips & Tricks

• Select Sun-Ripened Tomatoes: Choose peak-season, locally grown tomatoes bursting with natural sweetness and juiciness for the most intense flavor in your gratin.
• Toast Bread for Crunch: Lightly toast bread slices before tearing to create a golden, crispy topping that adds irresistible texture and prevents sogginess.
• Mix Cheese for Depth: Blend different cheese varieties like sharp parmesan and creamy mozzarella to build complex, rich flavor layers in the dish.
• Create Even Layers: Carefully arrange tomato and bread slices in uniform layers to guarantee consistent cooking and maximum flavor distribution throughout the gratin.
• Boost with Fresh Herbs: Generously sprinkle chopped basil or thyme right before serving to introduce bright, aromatic notes that elevate the entire dish's taste profile.

How to Store and Reheat Tomato Gratin

• Airtight Container Method: Transfer the cooled tomato gratin to a sealed glass or ceramic container, ensuring no air exposure. Slip a piece of parchment paper on top before closing the lid to prevent moisture buildup and maintain the dish's crispy texture.
• Portioning Method: Divide the gratin into individual serving sizes before storing. Wrap each portion separately in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to preserve flavor and prevent freezer burn. Label each package with the date and contents for easy tracking.
• Reheating Method: Thaw frozen gratin overnight in the refrigerator. Restore its original crispiness by warming in a preheated oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes. Avoid microwave reheating to prevent soggy breadcrumbs and maintain the gratin's delightful golden-brown crust.

Spicy, Cheesy, or Herb-Loaded—Your Choice

• Herb-Infused Gratin: Replace basil with a mixed herb blend of thyme, oregano, and rosemary for a complex, aromatic flavor profile. Sprinkle fresh chopped herbs over tomatoes before adding breadcrumbs to enhance the Mediterranean essence.
• Spicy Southwestern Gratin: Add diced jalapeños and replace some breadcrumbs with crushed corn tortilla chips. Incorporate a pinch of smoked paprika and cumin to give the dish a bold, zesty kick that complements the sweet tomatoes.
• Parmesan Pesto Tomato Gratin: Swap regular cheese with freshly grated parmesan and mix prepared pesto into the breadcrumb mixture. The nutty parmesan and herbal pesto will create a rich, intensely flavorful topping that elevates the classic recipe.
• Mediterranean Goat Cheese Version: Crumble tangy goat cheese between tomato layers and blend feta into the breadcrumb mixture. Sprinkle za'atar seasoning over the top for an authentic Middle Eastern-inspired transformation that brings exciting new dimensions to the original dish.

Gratin Notes to Finish on a Flavorful Note

Mediterranean culinary magic emerges through Ina Garten’s signature tomato gratin.

Summer’s ripest tomatoes dance with herbal notes and crispy breadcrumbs in this elegant dish.

Gourmet experiences bloom from simple ingredients transformed into sensational comfort cuisine.

Rustic charm meets sophisticated cooking techniques in this classic recipe.

Savory aromas promise delightful memories around family dinner tables.

Passionate cooks, share this delectable dish, spark conversation, and inspire kitchen adventures with your enthusiastic comments and social media love.

Why Tomato Gratin from Ina Feels So Right

• Burst with Fresh Flavor: Dive into a vibrant dish that celebrates the juicy sweetness of ripe tomatoes, perfectly complemented by aromatic basil and crispy, cheesy breadcrumbs.
• Super Simple Cooking Method: Enjoy an easy-to-prepare recipe that transforms basic ingredients into a restaurant-worthy side dish with minimal kitchen skills required, making it perfect for both novice and experienced cooks.
• Quick Weeknight Wonder: Whip up this delicious tomato gratin in just 25 minutes from start to finish, providing a gourmet-style vegetable side that's faster than ordering takeout and infinitely more delicious.
• Texture Lover's Dream: Experience a mouthwatering combination of soft, warm tomatoes beneath a crunchy, golden breadcrumb topping that adds an irresistible crispy layer to each bite.

Everything You Need for Tomato Gratin

Main Ingredients:

• Tomatoes: Ripe, fresh summer tomatoes with deep color and firm texture for best flavor and presentation.
• Basil: Fresh herb with bright, aromatic flavor that complements tomatoes perfectly.

• Bread: Day-old or slightly stale bread works best for creating crispy, golden breadcrumbs.
• Parmesan Cheese: Aged cheese that adds rich, salty notes and helps create a crunchy topping.

• Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves that provide a robust, savory undertone to the dish.
• Salt: Enhances the natural sweetness of tomatoes and balances overall flavor.
• Black Pepper: Freshly ground pepper adds subtle heat and depth to the gratin.

• Olive Oil: High-quality extra virgin olive oil for coating breadcrumbs and adding richness.
• Cooking Spray: Nonstick spray ensures easy removal and prevents sticking in baking dish.

Bake This Savory Gratin the Ina Way

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a sizzling 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Grab a narrow 2-quart baking dish and give it a quick spray with nonstick cooking oil.

Step 2: Create Crunchy Breadcrumb Topping

• Cheese
• Garlic
• Olive oil

Pulse everything together until well combined. Spread the seasoned breadcrumbs on a baking sheet and slide into the oven. Bake for about 5 minutes until they turn a gorgeous golden brown.

Step 3: Layer Juicy Tomatoes

• Fresh basil leaves
• Cracked black pepper
• Sea salt

Step 4: Bake and Crisp

First, bake the tomatoes for 10 minutes. Then generously top with the toasted breadcrumbs and return to the oven. Bake for another 10 minutes until the top is perfectly crisp and golden.

Step 5: Serve Immediately

Pull out the tomato gratin and serve right away while it’s hot and the breadcrumbs are wonderfully crunchy. Enjoy this burst of summer flavor!

Ina Garten Tomato Gratin Recipe

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4.7 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s tomato gratin celebrates summer’s ripest harvest with Mediterranean-inspired elegance. Golden breadcrumbs and fragrant herbs crown juicy tomatoes, delivering a classic French-style side dish that invites you to savor each herb-infused, cheesy bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 slices whole-grain bread
• 4 medium tomatoes
• ⅓ cup Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese

Herbs and Seasonings:

• ¼ cup fresh basil
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Cooking Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

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Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (232 degrees Celsius) and coat a narrow 2-quart (1.9 liters) baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Tear bread into chunks and pulse in a food processor until coarse crumbs form. Add grated cheese, minced garlic, and olive oil, then pulse to combine and create a uniform mixture.
3. Spread the seasoned breadcrumb mixture evenly on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 4-6 minutes until golden brown and crispy, watching carefully to prevent burning.
4. Arrange fresh tomato slices in a single layer within the prepared baking dish, creating an even, overlapping pattern.
5. Sprinkle chopped fresh basil leaves, ground black pepper, and kosher salt over the tomato slices, ensuring each slice receives a balanced distribution of seasonings.
6. Bake the tomatoes for 10 minutes to release their natural juices and concentrate their flavor.
7. Remove the dish from the oven, immediately scatter the toasted breadcrumbs evenly across the tomato surface.
8. Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 8-10 minutes until the breadcrumbs are deeply golden and the tomatoes are tender.
9. Serve immediately while warm, allowing the crisp breadcrumbs to provide a delightful textural contrast to the soft, roasted tomatoes.

Notes

• Elevate the gratin’s flavor by selecting vine-ripened tomatoes bursting with sweet, intense taste.
• Crisp up bread pieces by lightly toasting them, creating a crunchy golden-brown topping that adds delightful texture.
• Explore cheese combinations like creamy mozzarella or nutty fontina to personalize the dish’s taste profile.
• Distribute ingredients strategically, ensuring each layer receives equal amounts of seasoning and heat exposure.
• Fresh herbs transform this simple gratin into a culinary masterpiece, infusing bright, aromatic notes throughout the dish.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 150 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 100 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 3 mg