Think stuffed tomatoes are boring? Think again. These six worthy variations—from eggs and cheese to tuna, mushrooms, and fresh herbs—prove that humble tomatoes can steal the spotlight at any meal. Whether you bake them, chill them, or eat them fresh, these recipes are proof that summer’s favorite fruit is more than just a side.
Stuffed Tomatoes, 6 Ways
1. With Eggs and Cheese
Ingredients:
- Medium tomatoes
- Eggs
- Shredded cheese (any kind)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Wash tomatoes, slice off the tops, and scoop out the insides. Lightly salt each tomato and crack one egg into each cavity. Grate cheese over the egg, season with pepper, and top with the “lid.”
Place in a greased baking dish and bake at 375°F until the egg sets and the cheese melts.
2. With Tuna Salad
Ingredients:
- 4 large tomatoes
- 7 oz canned tuna (drained)
- 2 small pickles
- A handful of olives
- 1 small onion
- Parsley and chives, chopped
- 1 tsp mustard
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions:
Wash tomatoes, cut off tops, and carefully hollow them out. Finely chop tomato flesh, removing seeds. Mix chopped tomato with flaked tuna, diced pickles, olives, onion, and herbs. Stir in mustard and lemon juice.
Fill tomatoes and chill in the fridge before serving.
3. Vegetarian Mix
Ingredients:
- Tomatoes
- 1 onion
- 1 bell pepper
- Tomato flesh (seeded)
- 1 zucchini
- 1 small eggplant
- Garlic, parsley, celery leaves
- Optional: grated cheese
Instructions:
Dice all vegetables. Salt eggplant and let sit, then squeeze out moisture. Sauté onion, then add chopped vegetables and cook until soft. Stir in garlic, parsley, and celery.
Stuff the tomatoes, sprinkle with cheese if desired, cover with tops, and bake at 375°F until golden.
4. With Mushrooms
Ingredients:
- Tomatoes
- 1 onion
- 1 cup chopped mushrooms
- 1 clove garlic
- Parsley
- 1 egg
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- Shredded cheese
Instructions:
Sauté onion and mushrooms until soft. Add garlic and parsley. Fill tomatoes with the mushroom mix. Beat egg with cream and pour over mushrooms. Top with cheese. Add tomato tops and bake at 375°F until golden.
5. Classic Ground Meat and Rice
Ingredients:
Tomatoes
Ground beef
Cooked rice
Onion
Seasoning to taste
Instructions:
Mix ground meat with cooked rice, finely chopped onion, salt, and pepper. Hollow out tomatoes and fill with the mixture. Bake at 375°F until the filling is cooked through.
6. With Ham and Fresh Cheese
Ingredients:
- Tomatoes
- Diced ham
- Diced cheese
- Chopped bell pepper
- Tomato flesh (seeded and chopped)
- Salt, pepper
- Optional: mustard, mayo, corn, peas, carrots
Instructions:
Mix ham, cheese, pepper, and tomato flesh with seasonings and optional add-ins. Stuff tomatoes, cover with tops, and chill before serving.
Bonus Option – With Fresh Cheese & Horseradish
Mix cottage cheese with sour cream, freshly grated horseradish, finely chopped ham, red pepper, walnuts, and a pinch of paprika. Fill tomatoes and chill before serving.
