There are classic comfort foods and then there are classic comfort food reinvented. This recipe for Baked Stuffed Tomatoes falls into the latter category. Tomatoes are stuffed with a mixture of rice, ground beef, tomato sauce and seasonings to create a perfect dinner.
what are baked stuffed tomatoes?
Baked stuffed tomatoes are tomatoes stuffed with a mixture of rice, ground beef, tomato sauce and seasonings. The stuffing can vary, but this is my personal favorite. This dish is similar to the traditional Baked Stuffed Peppers, but with a different vessel for the stuffing.
what type of tomatoes to use
This recipe calls for fresh tomatoes. You can use any color variety of tomato but my suggestion is to use a beef tomato or another large variety. When choosing your tomato, you want to choose a firm tomato free of blemishes. When prepping the tomato, slice the top off of the tomato and remove the seeds and innards with a spoon. Stay away from tomatoes that have begun to soften or have dark spots on the skin. These tomatoes may have over-ripened and the soft spots can cook faster than the rest of the tomato, leading to overcooked spots.
do tomatoes need to be pre cooked before stuffing?
While tomatoes do take a bit of time in the oven to soften, this recipe is best made beginning with raw tomatoes. One of the reasons I love this recipe is that the Baked Stuffed Tomatoes are even better as leftovers. This is because the flavors have more time to develop and the pepper has more time to soften as the liquids redistribute.
what can Tomatoes be stuffed with
- Rice
- Ground Meat
- Veggies
- Pearl CousCous
- Quinoa
- Cheese
Baked Stuffed Tomatoes
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 Tomatoes
- 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
- ½ Cup Onion Diced
- 2 Cloves Garlic Minced
- ½ Pound Ground Beef
- 8 Oz Tomato Sauce
- 8 Oz Crushed Tomatoes
- Salt
- Pepper
- ½ Cup Uncooked Rice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
- Prep tomatoes by slicing off the top and removing the seeds. Place in an 8X8 baking dish and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil on medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add ground beef and cook until ground, breaking up the beef into small pieces as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.
- Combine beef mixture with tomato sauce, tomatoes, and rice. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Spoon beef mixture into the tomatoes. Cook uncovered for 40 minutes or until fork tender. Let cool slightly, serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
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About Michelle
Hello! I'm Michelle Boulé. I'm a photography nerd, cat mom and all around foodie. Join me in making some of my favorite comfort foods!
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