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Baked Garden Tomatoes with Cheese

This vibrant baked garden tomatoes dish celebrates the natural sweetness of vine-ripened fruit, enhanced by the savoury depth of aged Parmesan and Romano cheese. By gently softening the tomatoes with garlic and onions before baking, the flavours meld into a rich, juicy base that contrasts beautifully with the melted, golden crust. It is an excellent way to use up a seasonal glut of heirloom varieties, providing a burst of summer colour to any dinner table.

Served as a versatile vegetarian side, these baked tomatoes pair wonderfully with crusty sourdough bread or roasted Mediterranean vegetables. For a more substantial meal, you can easily customise the dish by adding cubes of fresh mozzarella or a handful of torn basil leaves. This healthy, gluten-free recipe is simple enough for a midweek meal yet elegant enough for casual weekend entertaining.

Continue reading below

Ingredients for Baked Garden Tomatoes with Cheese

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 3 garlic cloves, chopped

  • 1 medium onion, chopped

  • 800g fresh vine-ripened or heirloom tomatoes, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

  • 45ml chopped fresh chives

  • 1 cup (packed) freshly grated Parmesan cheese

  • 120g (packed) freshly grated Romano cheese

  • Two more ways to go: Add chopped fresh basil leaves and/or small cubes of mozzarella cheese. Or use yellow and green tomatoes with the red ones to add summer colour.

How to make Baked Garden Tomatoes with Cheese

Preheat oven to 177°C. Oil 11x7-inch baking dish. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add onion and sauté until soft, about 6 minutes. Add tomatoes, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook until beginning to soften, about 5 minutes.

Mix in chives; season with salt and pepper. Transfer tomato mixture to prepared baking dish; sprinkle grated cheeses over. Bake until cheese melts and begins to turn golden, about 20 minutes.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 17 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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