Baked Tomatoes Recipe | Joyful Healthy Eats

These Italian-style caprese baked tomatoes with mozzarella and parmesan are an easy appetizer or side dish for dinner parties. They’re topped with fresh basil for a herby finishing bite!

Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or looking for a quick snack, these baked tomatoes definitely impress with their savory, melty goodness. A sprinkle of parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil bring vibrant Italian flavors to the table. Don’t forget spicy black pepper! Once in the broiler, just let the milky mozzarella caramelize for a couple minutes before adding fresh basil and digging in.

Why You’ll Love Baked Tomatoes

This effortless baked tomatoes recipe with some of Italy’s best flavors will be your new favorite 15-minute appetizer.

• Perfect for gatherings. You get plenty of servings for all your guests from just 5 tomatoes.
• Veggie-friendly. This appetizer is perfect if you’re expecting vegetarian friends and family over for dinner.
• Little clean-up. Once you’re done, just throw the parchment paper away and rinse the baking sheet. That’s it!
• Italian-inspired. The recipe is like the Italian flag: fragrant basil is the green, mozzarella is the white, and tomatoes are the red.

What You’ll Need

The ingredients for these caprese baked tomatoes are the highlight of Italian cuisine: tomatoes, cheese, olive oil, and basil. The recipe card at the bottom of the post has the exact amounts and measurements if you’re ready to start cooking.

• Tomatoes – They must be ripe and firm so you can make clean slices with a very sharp knife.
• Parmesan cheese – Freshly grated cheese is best. Don’t use the crumbly, bottled type.
• Fresh mozzarella – Go for cow or buffalo milk mozzarella.
• Olive oil – I prefer extra virgin olive oil, but avocado oil works too.
• Fresh basil – Make sure it’s green Italian basil and not purple or Thai basil.
• Salt and pepper – Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper are best.

What Kind of Tomatoes To Use

On-the-vine, beefsteak, and heirloom tomatoes are best for this caprese-inspired recipe. They have plenty of flesh and not as many seeds, meaning they hold up well in the oven. Avoid Roma tomatoes because they’ve got too much juice and seeds.

How to Make Caprese Baked Tomatoes

It only takes 4 quick steps to make these baked tomatoes with sweet and fresh Italian flavors. For more detailed instructions head to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

• Prep the oven. Preheat it to 400F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.

• Assemble them. Spread out the tomato slices on the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle with parmesan and top each one with a slice of mozzarella. Drizzle with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
• Bake and broil. Pop them into the oven for 8-10 minutes or until the cheese is melty. Remove from the oven. Turn on the broiler and broil the tomatoes for 2-3 minutes or until the cheese is slightly browned on top.
• Serve. Remove from the broiler. Set them aside to cool for 5-10 minutes. Garnish with basil. Enjoy!

Tips for Success

Use these tips to nail this easy-but-fancy baked tomatoes recipe and spice it up with toasty bread, herby pesto, or spicy red pepper flakes.

• Skip it. If you’re in a rush or your oven doesn’t have a broiler setting, skip it. As long as the tomatoes are baked and the cheese is melted, the flavor will be just as amazing.
• Add a drizzle. Once broiled, drizzle the tomatoes with Balsamic Reduction, Roasted Red Pepper Pesto, Basil Pesto, or sun-dried tomato oil.
• Choose the right ones. Pick large mozzarella balls over the mini ones. While the small ones work too, they can roll off the tomatoes or leave spots with no cheese on them.
• Turn it into bruschetta. Set the baked tomatoes over toasty baguette slices, sourdough, focaccia, or ciabatta for a simple bruschetta variation.
• Make it spicy. Sprinkle the tomatoes with 1/4-1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes when you season them for a kick of heat. Chili oil works too.
• Don’t skip the parchment. Don’t bake the caprese tomatoes directly on the baking sheet. This is because the tomato juices will caramelize on the bottom and make them stick and/or burn.

Serving Suggestions

These baked tomatoes are a quick appetizer for all your gatherings. Pair them with my New York Strip Steak with Balsamic Reduction or Herb Crusted Beef Tenderloin as the main dish. Grilled Filet Mignon is another classic. For side ideas, try my Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower, Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus, or Air Fryer Asparagus.

Can I Make These Ahead?

You can assemble and refrigerate them up to 3 days in advance. Make sure to cover the baking sheet with plastic wrap so there is no transfer of odors. However, they can’t be baked ahead. This is because the cheese won’t be nice and melty unless you bake them right before your gathering.

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