Randy Chandler
Baked tomatoes with cheese is a simple, tasty, and versatile side dish that can be prepared in numerous ways. The ingredients can be varied to create different flavours, such as taco-inspired, French onion soup-inspired, or Mediterranean-style. This dish can be served as a snack, side, or even as a grilled sandwich. The recipe is straightforward, requiring only a few ingredients and minimal preparation time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dish | Baked Tomatoes with Cheese, Grilled Tomato and Cheese, Caprese Salad |
| Ingredients | Tomatoes, Cheese (Parmesan, Mozzarella, Cheddar, Swiss, Feta), Basil, Olive Oil, Salt, Pepper, Oregano, Garlic Powder |
| Recipe Steps | Cut tomatoes in half, add toppings, bake/grill until cheese is browned and bubbly |
| Cook Time | 5-20 minutes |
| Serving Suggestions | Side dish, snack, on toasted bread or in a sandwich |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Baked tomatoes with cheese
Ingredients:
- Tomatoes (Roma or Beefsteak tomatoes work well)
- Cheese (Parmesan, mozzarella, cheddar, or a combination)
- Fresh basil
- Olive oil
- Italian seasoning or dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C).
- Line a baking sheet with foil or use a shallow baking dish.
- Prepare the tomatoes by cutting them in half along the equator or into thick slices about 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick.
- Place the tomato halves or slices cut-side up on the prepared baking sheet or dish.
- Sprinkle chopped fresh basil over the tomatoes. You can also add a drizzle of olive oil for extra flavour and to help the cheese brown.
- Top the tomatoes generously with your choice of shredded or sliced cheese. A combination of Parmesan and mozzarella is particularly creamy and tangy.
- Add your desired amount of Italian seasoning or dried oregano, salt, and pepper to the tomatoes and cheese.
- Bake the tomatoes in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the tomatoes are soft and starting to sag, and the cheese is golden brown and bubbly.
- Enjoy your delicious baked tomatoes with cheese as a side dish or snack!
Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese and herbs to create a variety of flavours. For example, try using pepper jack cheese with cilantro for a taco-inspired twist, or feta cheese with oregano for a Mediterranean flavour. Remember to give enough space between the tomatoes on the baking sheet to ensure they roast properly. Enjoy your cheesy, baked tomato creation!
The Perfect Sausage Cheese Balls: A Quick Guide
You may want to see also
Grilled tomato and cheese sandwich
A grilled tomato and cheese sandwich is a delicious and comforting meal, perfect for those who want a taste of nostalgia. This recipe is quick and easy to make and can be served with a bowl of tomato soup for the ultimate comfort food.
Ingredients:
- Bread
- Butter
- Mayonnaise
- Basil pesto
- Cheese (Parmesan, cheddar, mozzarella, or provolone)
- Tomatoes
- Black pepper
- Salt
- Lemon juice (optional)
Method:
First, thinly slice the tomatoes and lay them on a paper towel. Sprinkle with salt and leave for 15 minutes to draw out the moisture, then pat dry.
Next, spread one slice of bread with mayonnaise and place it, mayonnaise-side down, in a skillet. Spread this slice with basil pesto, then layer on some cheese.
Add sliced tomatoes and season with ground black pepper and a little lemon juice, if desired. Top with another layer of cheese and the remaining slice of bread.
Spread the top slice of bread with mayonnaise and butter the outside of the sandwich.
Place the sandwich in a skillet over medium heat and toast for 3-4 minutes. Flip the sandwich and cook for another 3-4 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
Serve the grilled tomato and cheese sandwich with a side of kettle chips and enjoy!
Cooking Breaded Broccoli Cheese Chicken Breasts: A Simple Guide
You may want to see also
Caprese salad
A Caprese salad is a simple yet delicious Italian dish that is perfect for summer. It is easy to make and can be served as a side, appetizer, or light meal. Here is a step-by-step guide to making a delicious Caprese salad:
Ingredients:
- Ripe tomatoes (preferably plump, fragrant, colourful, and juicy)
- Fresh mozzarella cheese soft, creamy, and spongy
- Fresh basil leaves
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Balsamic glaze or balsamic reduction (optional)
- Flaky sea salt
- Black pepper
Instructions:
- Start by slicing the tomatoes and mozzarella into thick, equally sized slices. You can also cut the mozzarella into bite-sized cubes or use mini mozzarella balls.
- Arrange the tomato and mozzarella slices on a platter, alternating between the two.
- Place the basil leaves between the slices of tomato and mozzarella. If you have large basil leaves, you can tear or cut them into smaller pieces.
- Drizzle olive oil over the salad, making sure to get a little on each slice.
- Optional: Drizzle balsamic glaze or balsamic reduction over the salad. You can make your own by reducing balsamic vinegar, or you can buy a bottle from the store.
- Sprinkle flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper over the salad to taste.
- Serve immediately.
Variations and Tips:
- You can add other ingredients to your Caprese salad, such as sliced avocados, fresh pesto, or arugula.
- If you are making the salad in advance, you can slice the tomatoes and mozzarella and store them separately in the fridge until you are ready to serve.
- For a more substantial dish, serve the Caprese salad on a bed of arugula or with toasted sliced bread.
- If you prefer a tossed salad, simply toss all the ingredients together in a bowl before serving.
- When choosing tomatoes, look for colourful, fragrant, and juicy ones. Heirloom tomatoes or cherry tomatoes work great.
- For the mozzarella, look for soft, creamy, and fresh mozzarella packed in water.
- Always use fresh basil leaves for the best flavour.
Enjoy your delicious Caprese salad!
The Perfect Queso Cheese: A Quick Cooking Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Choosing the right tomatoes
When it comes to choosing the right tomatoes for your baked cheese and tomato dish, there are a few factors to consider. Firstly, it is essential to select ripe, fresh tomatoes. Ripe tomatoes are packed with vitamins and nutrients, making them a healthy option. Fresh tomatoes will also taste better and have a more appealing texture. If you're making a Caprese salad, any type of fresh tomato can be used as long as it's ripe. Heirloom tomatoes will make a gorgeous salad, but any slicing tomato will work well. For smaller tomatoes like cherry or grape varieties, simply halve them so that they are all a similar size.
Another important consideration is the variety of tomato. Roma tomatoes, also known as Italian plum tomatoes, are excellent for roasting due to their shape and size. Beefsteak tomatoes are also a good option for baked dishes because of their large size and regular shape. If you're looking for a more unique variety, try heirloom tomatoes, which come in various colours and flavours and will add a burst of flavour and visual appeal to your dish.
The size of the tomatoes is also a factor to consider. If you are using very large tomatoes, they may take longer to bake. In this case, you might want to cut them into thick slices or halves before baking. On the other hand, if you are making a salad like Caprese, you can use smaller tomatoes like cherry or grape varieties and simply adjust the size of the other ingredients accordingly.
Finally, consider the overall flavour and colour of your dish. Fresh basil adds a pop of colour and an herbal flavour to tomato and cheese dishes. You can also experiment with different types of cheese and herbs to create different flavours. For example, pepper jack or Mexican blend cheese with cilantro will give your dish a taco-inspired twist, while feta and oregano will transport you to the Mediterranean. So, when choosing your tomatoes, think about the other ingredients you plan to use and how you can create a harmonious blend of flavours and colours.
Spinach & Feta: Cooking the Perfect Pair
You may want to see also
Choosing the right cheese
The cheese you choose for your tomato dish will depend on the type of dish you are making and the flavour profile you want to achieve. For example, a Caprese salad is typically made with fresh mozzarella, whereas a baked tomato dish might use cheddar, parmesan, or Swiss cheese.
If you're making a salad, you'll want to choose a cheese that is fresh and has a creamy texture, like mozzarella. Mozzarella is a mild, creamy cheese that pairs well with the acidity of tomatoes. It also has a high melting point, which makes it ideal for dishes where you want the cheese to remain intact, such as a Caprese salad or a grilled cheese sandwich. You could also use burrata, which has a similar flavour to mozzarella but with a deliciously creamy centre.
For baked tomatoes, you have a lot more options when it comes to cheese. Cheddar, parmesan, and Swiss cheese are all great options and will result in a savoury treat. Cheddar has a sharp, tangy flavour that pairs well with the sweetness of tomatoes. Parmesan is a hard, salty cheese that adds a nutty flavour to the dish. Swiss cheese is another good option, as it has a mild, slightly sweet flavour that melts well.
If you want to get creative, you can experiment with different types of cheese and herbs to change the flavour of your tomato dish. For example, try using pepper jack or Mexican blend cheese with cilantro for taco-inspired tomatoes, or feta and oregano for Mediterranean-style tomatoes.
Potato, Onion, Cheese Delight: Quick, Easy, Delicious!
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
To make baked tomatoes with cheese, preheat your oven to 400 °F. Cut 2 large tomatoes into thick slices and place them in a single layer in a shallow baking dish. Combine shredded cheese (such as Parmesan, Swiss, or cheddar) with oregano, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a small bowl. Sprinkle this mixture over the tomatoes and bake for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese turns golden brown and starts to bubble.
You can experiment with different types of cheese and herbs to create unique flavours. For example, try using pepper jack or Mexican blend cheese with cilantro for a taco-inspired twist, or feta and oregano for a Mediterranean flavour.
To make a grilled tomato and cheese sandwich, you'll need sliced bread, tomatoes, and cheese. Assemble the sandwich by layering the tomatoes and cheese between the slices of bread. Place the sandwich in a skillet and cover with a lid. Cook for about 2 minutes on each side, until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
