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Baked Tomatoes

Baked Tomatoes are a burst of summer flavor. Campari tomatoes stuffed with bread crumbs, tomato, mozzarella and basil, these little bites are a must make. 

We all love a classic caprese salad. The combination of tomatoes, basil and mozzarella just goes so well together and nothing screams summer quite like perfectly ripened tomatoes. Unless of course those perfectly ripened tomatoes are also paired with fresh sweet basil and mozzarella. Am I right?

Side photo of baked stuffed tomatoes.

These Baked Stuffed Campari tomatoes are a twist on the classic caprese combo. Campari tomatoes are stuffed with a mixture of diced tomatoes, shredded mozzarella, fresh bread crumbs, and of course basil. Instead of being served cold however, these little bites are baked until the tomatoes are soft and the cheese is melted to perfection.

Inside of stuffed tomato.

You’re going to love them!

What ingredients do you need to make stuffed tomatoes?

CAMPARI TOMATOES:  You may wonder what campari tomatoes are, they are a type of tomato that is smaller than a regular tomato but larger than a cherry tomato. They are a deep red color and known for their sweetness. If you can’t find them you can substitute small vine-ripened tomatoes or larger cherry tomatoes. If you use cherry tomatoes you might have excess filling.

Hand holding a campari tomato.

MOZZARELLA: Shred it yourself! One of my golden rules in the kitchen is to always freshly shred cheese. It just melts, and in my opinion tastes, better.

FRESH BREAD CRUMBS: Pulse a slice or two of fresh sourdough or other white bread in a food processor just until they are crumbs.

BASIL: Roll the basil leaves together and then chop. It’s the perfect way to get basil ribbons.

SALT: Use it to sprinkle the inside of the tomatoes after you remove the flesh inside.

overhead photo of ingredients needed to make stuffed campari tomatoes.

How do you make baked tomatoes?

Step by step photos showing how to make stuffed tomatoes.

STEP #1: Cut the tops off the tomatoes. Gently remove the flesh and seeds inside. Chop the flesh and some of the tops. Enough to make 1/4 cup. Season the cavity of the tomatoes lightly with salt.

STEP #2: In a bowl combine bread crumbs, reserved diced tomato, mozzarella and basil. Mix well.

STEP #3: Spoon mixture into tomatoes. Place in preheated oven and cook for 15 – 20 minutes or until the top has browned slightly and the tomatoes have softened.

You don’t need to measure the filling before putting it into the tomatoes. The amount you use will depend on the size of the tomatoes since they can vary so much.

Overhead photo of stuffed tomatoes in a baking dish.

Can this recipe be doubled?

Yes! This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to suit whatever you need. Keep in mind that they won’t reheat that well.

Love tomatoes? You’ve got to try some of my other favorite tomato recipes:

Fried Green Tomatoes 

Tomato Jam 

Summer Tomato Bruschetta 

Parmesan Crusted Tilapia with Tomato Basil Cream Sauce  

Want some more twists on Caprese Salad? Check these out!

Grilled Burrata Caprese Bread

Caprese Chicken Pressed Sandwich

Caprese Twice Baked Potatoes

Avocado Caprese Breakfast Toast

Note: this post was originally published in 2010. It was updated with a modified recipe, photos, step by step instructions and nutrition information in 2021.

Overhead photo of baked tomatoes in a white baking dish.

Baked Tomatoes

Baked Campari Tomatoes are a burst of summer flavor. Stuffed with bread crumbs, tomato, mozzarella and basil, these little bites are a must make. 
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Easy Appetizer Recipes
Cuisine American
Servings 4 Servings
Calories 105 kcal

Ingredients
  

Ingredients:

  • 8 campari tomatoes
  • kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
  • 3 basil leaves chopped
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil plus more for drizzling

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350
  • Cut the tops off the tomatoes. Gently remove the flesh and seeds inside and reserve 1/4 cup. Season the cavity of the tomatoes lightly with salt.
  • In a bowl combine bread crumbs, reserved diced tomato, mozzarella and basil. Mix well.
  • Spoon mixture into tomatoes. Place in preheated oven and cook for 15 - 20 minutes or until the top has browned slightly and the tomatoes have softened.
  • Transfer to serving platter. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with more basil if desired and serve.

Notes

Nutrition facts for estimation purposes only.

Nutrition

Calories: 105kcalCarbohydrates: 16.9gProtein: 4.4gFat: 2.9gSaturated Fat: 0.8gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 710mgFiber: 2.8gSugar: 5.6g
Tried this recipe?Mention @lifesambrosia or tag #lifesambrosia!
Keywords: arugula pesto, bread crumbs, campari tomatoes, Food, italian, pesto, Recipe, stuffed tomatoes, summer, tomatoes, Vegetarian

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




  • Reply
    Kim Beaulieu
    April 10, 2021 at 4:25 pm

    5 stars
    This looks so good. Now I need to pick up some tomatoes!

    • Reply
      Deseree
      April 15, 2021 at 8:36 am

      Thank you!!

  • Reply
    margaret
    May 11, 2012 at 1:26 pm

    I still dont know what kind of tomatoes campari’s are that is what the recipe calls for.Margaret

    • Reply
      Deseree
      May 11, 2012 at 4:09 pm

      Hey Margaret- Campari are a small tomato. They are bigger than cherry tomatoes but smaller than a Roma or vine ripened tomato.

  • Reply
    Cooker T.
    March 2, 2012 at 7:09 am

    Try this — prepair campari and make a cavity. Pan toast some panko bread crumbs, and pan toast some pine nuts. Stuff campari and top with parm. cheese. Into oven 325 f. till cheese gets golden brown. It’s a winner.

  • Reply
    annmarie heldt
    October 14, 2011 at 1:17 pm

    I have stuffed these tomatoes with a mixture of goat cheese and blue cheese–they are terrific!

  • Reply
    Joy~R3FitShow
    September 3, 2010 at 10:22 am

    I do stuffed peppers often, but I am sooooo trying this!

  • Reply
    zoe
    August 27, 2010 at 11:10 am

    I love this pesto stuffing. Delicious!

  • Reply
    Fun and Fearless in Beantown
    August 25, 2010 at 8:00 am

    I definitely want to try to play with this recipe myself!

  • Reply
    StephenC
    August 25, 2010 at 7:37 am

    What a cute idea. Never heard of campari tomatoes. I’ll look for them.

  • Des

    Hey! I'm Des!

    Welcome to Life’s Ambrosia where Dinner is served and memories are made. Here you will find over 1000 tried and true recipes for every possible occasion. In the last 10 years, this blog has helped millions of families put dinner on the table and create food memories. Let me help you too.

    Read more »

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