Best Baked Tomato Recipe

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: pecorino cheese

Nutritional yeast adds a cheesy flavor with fewer calories.

bread crumbs

🥗Healthier: ground oats

💰Cheaper: crushed crackers

Ground oats provide fiber and are a gluten-free option.

Cut a tiny bit off the bottom of each tomato so they lie flat on a lightly greased baking sheet.

Using a fork, poke the tops of the tomatoes to loosen them up for flavor absorption.

Sprinkle a little salt and black pepper on the tomatoes.

Drizzle a little olive oil on top of the tomatoes, or use butter for added flavor.

Place the tomatoes in the oven at 500°F for 10 minutes.

While the tomatoes are baking, prepare the topping by placing fresh basil, toasted walnuts, Romano cheese, and garlic in a food processor.

Pulse the mixture until it is combined but not overly fine, leaving some texture.

Transfer the topping mixture to a bowl and add a little of the oil and tomato juice from the baking sheet to enhance flavor.

Add a tiny bit more olive oil to help the topping stick together, and adjust seasoning to taste.

After 10 minutes, remove the tomatoes from the oven and pour off excess liquid into the topping mixture.

Press the topping onto the tomatoes, ensuring it sticks well due to the cheese and moisture from the nuts and basil.

Return the topped tomatoes to the oven at 500°F for another 5 minutes.

Switch the oven to broil and move the tomatoes to the top shelf to get a nice browning on top, watching closely to avoid burning.

Remove from the oven when the tops are browned to your liking.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens