Easy Baked Parmesan Tomatoes (15 Minute Tomato Side Dish)

Need a new veggie side to serve with dinner? Try these simple Baked Parmesan Tomatoes with a melted parmesan topping! 

What Are Baked Parmesan Tomatoes?

This recipe is perfect as a quick vegetable side dish for dinner and pairs beautifully with seafood, pasta, or grilled chicken. Because it uses only a few ingredients, the natural sweetness of ripe tomatoes really shines through.

Baked Parmesan tomatoes are a simple roasted tomato side dish made with thick slices of fresh tomatoes, parmesan cheese, and herbs. When baked in the oven, the tomatoes soften and release their juices while the parmesan melts and forms a savory, slightly crispy topping.

Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, an antioxidant associated with heart health. Baking tomatoes with a small amount of fat, such as parmesan cheese, may actually help improve the absorption of lycopene.

Why You’ll Love These Baked Parmesan Tomatoes

Works as a side dish for fish, chicken, or pasta

• Ready in about 15 minutes
• Uses just a few simple ingredients
• Naturally vegetarian and gluten-free
• A great way to use fresh summer tomatoes

Ingredients & Substitutions

Tomatoes

Large beefsteak or slicing tomatoes work best because they hold their shape when baked.

Parmesan Cheese

Freshly grated parmesan creates a crispier topping than pre-shredded cheese.

Herbs

Dried basil and oregano give these tomatoes an Italian flavor, but Italian seasoning or fresh herbs also work well.

And oh my, they were so good. Like little baby pizzas with all the good tomatoes and cheese and none of the crust. The cheese was so thick, you had to cut them with a knife! I knew that I had to remake these when I got home. 

How to Make

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Slice tomatoes into ¼-inch thick rounds.
3. Arrange in a single layer.
4. Top with parmesan and herbs.
5. Bake until the cheese melts and starts to brown.

Tip:
Pat tomatoes dry so they don’t release too much moisture.

VIDEO: HOW TO MAKE YOUR BAKED PARMESAN TOMATOES

What to Serve With Baked Parmesan Tomatoes

These tomatoes make a great side dish for:

• steak or burgers
• grilled shrimp
• baked tilapia
• pasta dishes
• roasted chicken

Can you make baked parmesan tomatoes ahead of time?

They are best fresh, but you can prep the slices and toppings ahead.

Do I need fresh parmesan?

Fresh parmesan melts better and browns nicely.

QUICK TIPS FOR  YOUR BAKED PARMESAN TOMATOES

• Make sure you pick out ripe tomatoes at the market! You can tell if they are ripe if they have a slight give when you squeeze them. 
• Quality parmesan makes a huge difference, see if you can find parmesan that is still in a block. It’s usually higher quality than the pre-grated stuff, and you can use a grater to shave it down. 

More Easy Tomato Recipes

If you love cooking with fresh tomatoes, try these other easy recipes:

• Creamy Tomato Tortellini
• Heirloom Tomato Caprese Salad
• Shaved Cucumber & Tomato Greek Salad
• Gnocchi & Veggies with Creamy Tomato Sauce