Baked Parmesan Tomatoes

Baked Parmesan Tomatoes are a delicious, low-carb appetizer that tastes just like a healthier version of pizza. Made with sliced tomatoes, fresh herbs, and shredded parmesan cheese, this recipe makes the perfect addition to your weekly line-up.

For many of us, it’s easy to fall into a habit of repeating the same meals week after week. I’ve found that it’s a lot easier to switch things up when you give your dishes a little bit of forethought, which is how I came up with this mouth-watering side dish.

Juicy and packed with flavor, these Baked Parmesan Tomatoes are the ultimate way to add some excitement back to your routine. All you have to do is slice the tomatoes, line them on a baking sheet, season them to your liking, then pop them in the oven. In just 15 minutes, you have a stellar low-carb side dish that pairs well with just about anything.

I love pairing these parmesan tomatoes with lean protein sources like chicken and fish. Try serving them alongside this Pesto Chicken, Creamy Garlic Mushroom Chicken, or your favorite pasta dish. I guarantee you’re going to love this low-carb dish, so let me know what you think once you’ve tested it out for yourself!

Key Ingredients

To make these healthy baked tomatoes, you will need the following key ingredients:

• Tomatoes: You can use any type of tomato here, just be sure that whichever you choose looks ripe and flavorful. I highly recommend using a larger tomato like beefsteak or roma tomatoes, as these will give you the most surface area for your toppings.
• Parmesan cheese: Parmesan gives these baked tomatoes that delicious cheesy flavor that allows it to mimic your favorite pizza recipe.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic will offer the best flavor, but you can swap it out for garlic powder if you don’t have any fresh garlic on hand.
• Herbs and spices: I keep it simple with salt, pepper, and oregano. However, you can add any herbs and spices you like. Fresh basil tastes amazing with these tomatoes, while crushed red pepper is great if you like a bit of a kick.

Recipe Tips

Here are some of my top tips to help you make these delicious parmesan tomatoes:

• Add breadcrumbs. Breadcrumbs are a delicious way to add some crunch to these tomatoes. All you have to do is add your favorite breadcrumbs to the parmesan mixture before sprinkling it over the tomatoes. Regular breadcrumbs and Italian breadcrumbs both work well.
• Swap your cheese. If you want to switch things up, feel free to add some mozzarella to the mix or use it in place of the parmesan.
• Not tomato season? If you’re having trouble finding ripe and juicy tomatoes, try using cherry tomatoes. Cherry tomatoes tend to be sweeter and a bit more flavorful, and work great if you’re having trouble finding ripe tomatoes. Just remember that cherry tomatoes will bake faster, so you’ll need to take them out a little sooner.
• Swap your spices. Although this recipe calls for fresh oregano, you can switch up your spices to fit your flavor preferences. I recommend trying fresh basil, rosemary, thyme, or Italian seasoning.
• Add some heat. Prefer your dishes with a bit of a kick? Try sprinkling them with some red pepper flakes. The sweetness of the tomatoes with the spiciness of red pepper makes for a drool-worthy combination.

How to Serve Baked Parmesan Tomatoes

Not only is this low-carb recipe beyond delicious, but it can be served in so many different ways! Here are some of my favorite ways to serve this dish:

• As a side dish for a low-carb meal. For a balanced, low-carb meal, try pairing these parmesan tomatoes with a grilled or baked chicken entree. I recommend dishes like this Cilantro Lime Chicken or this Balsamic Chicken with Mushrooms.
• With pasta. These parmesan tomatoes are a great way to jazz up a plate of Italian-style pasta like this One Pot Caprese Pasta. For a low-carb option, try pairing them with this Garlic Parmesan Zucchini Noodles with Sausage.
• As a caprese salad. This dish is a wonderful way of spicing up your traditional Caprese salad. Just pair your baked tomatoes with freshly sliced mozzarella and drizzle with balsamic vinegar or a balsamic glaze for an extra-delicious version of this classic Italian salad.
• With balsamic drizzle. These tomatoes taste great on their own as a light lunch or afternoon snack. For some added flavor, I love drizzling them with balsamic glaze. The flavors pair wonderfully together, trust me!

Baked Parmesan Tomatoes Storage Tips

While I recommend eating these parmesan tomatoes fresh out of the oven, you can easily toss any leftovers in a storage container to save for later. To store, place your leftover tomatoes in an airtight storage bag or container and store one of two ways:

• In the fridge for up to 2-3 days.
• In the freezer for up to 3-4 months.

What herbs can I use on baked tomatoes?

When it comes to oven-baked tomatoes, there is virtually no wrong choice when it comes to fresh or dried herbs. Oregano, basil, rosemary, or thyme all work. You could also use an Italian seasoning blend or a Mediterranean spice blend. Another super tasty option is Everything Bagel seasoning that is super popular right now. It adds a savory note to the dish that really works. If you like spice, you could also consider adding some red pepper flakes or Italian hot pepper.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about this delicious low-carb side dish recipe:

Is this dish healthy?

Yes! Not only does baking your tomatoes bring out their flavor, but it actually has a number of health benefits. Tomatoes contain an antioxidant called lycopene, which is actually rumored to reduce the risk of certain cancers. When tomatoes are baked or roasted, lycopene is released for use by our bodies, making cooked tomatoes even healthier than raw tomatoes.

Is there a difference between a baked tomato and a slow roasted tomato?

Baked tomatoes result in juicy, tender tomatoes that maintain the taste, texture, and moisture of raw tomato. On the flip side, slow-roasting tomatoes causes them to shrivel up and lose moisture. Therefore, the flavor becomes more intense and the texture resembles that of sun-dried tomato.

Can you overcook tomatoes?

This recipe tastes best when the tomatoes are juicy and still maintain a somewhat firm texture. Therefore, it’s important that you don’t overcook your tomatoes, or you risk winding up with mushy tomatoes. Smaller tomatoes will require a shorter baking time, so be sure to keep an eye out and pull them out of the oven when the cheese begins to melt.