Name: Stuffed Tomatoes with Parmesan, Mozzarella, and Herbed Breadcrumbs Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 4 tomatoes; ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded; 3 tablespoons plain panko bread crumbs; 2 ½ tablespoons Italian seasoned bread crumbs; ¼ cup onion, minced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tbsp olive oil plus more for drizzling; 2 tsp fresh basil leaves, chopped; 2 tsp parsley; 1 tsp oregano; ¼ tsp freshly ground pepper; 2 tbsp mozzarella cheese, grated

Description

Delicious and easy-to-make stuffed tomatoes filled with a flavorful mixture of cheese, breadcrumbs, herbs, and garlic, baked to perfection with a golden mozzarella topping. A perfect appetizer or side dish for any occasion.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

4 tomatoes
⅓ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
3 tablespoons plain panko bread crumbs
2 ½ tablespoons Italian seasoned bread crumbs
¼ cup onion, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp olive oil plus more for drizzling
2 tsp fresh basil leaves, chopped
2 tsp parsley
1 tsp oregano
¼ tsp freshly ground pepper
2 tbsp mozzarella cheese, grated

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Place an oven rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 400ºF. Spray an 8 X 8-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Prepare Stuffing Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine Parmesan cheese, plain panko bread crumbs, Italian seasoned bread crumbs, minced onion, minced garlic, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, chopped basil, parsley, oregano, salt, and freshly ground pepper. Mix thoroughly to incorporate all ingredients.
Prepare Tomatoes: Cut the tops off the tomatoes and hollow them out by removing the pulp and seeds with a spoon or a grapefruit spoon with a jagged edge. Dice the removed pulp and add it to the bread crumb mixture.
Combine and Stuff: Gently mix the diced pulp into the stuffing mixture until well combined. Fill each hollowed-out tomato evenly with the prepared stuffing mixture and place them upright in the baking dish. Drizzle each tomato with additional olive oil for moisture and flavor.
Add Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle grated mozzarella cheese evenly on top of each stuffed tomato. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until the cheese is melted and lightly golden, and the stuffing is hot.

Notes

Baking tomatoes for longer than 12 minutes will cause them to soften significantly; watch closely to maintain a firm texture.
Use ripe but firm tomatoes to prevent them from becoming too mushy during baking.
For added flavor, you can incorporate a pinch of salt to the stuffing mixture if desired.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian