Grilled Stuffed Tomatoes are stuffed with cheese, breading, and Italian seasoningโthe perfect side dish for casual grilled meals. Turn a tomato into something special.
Since tomatoes are high in sugar, grilling will increase the flavor by caramelizing the sugars. Add a cheesy, spicy stuffing and a great, easy dish.
Ingredient
Tomatoes
Cheese
Bread crumbsโItalian preferred
Garlicโfresh or powder
Pantry ingredientsโparsley, oregano, basil, salt, black pepper, Olive oil
Optional ingredientsโcooked Italian sausage or other cooked ground or processed meat, cooked orzo, cooked rice or quinoa
Jump To (scroll for more)
I love grilled sides for grilled meals. This grilled tomato recipe is quick and easy to prepare and add to the grill while finishing the main dish.
Use a fresh tomato for the grilling "container" for the good stuff. Add stuffing of anything you want. I went with Italian, but use the ingredients you wish as long as they are safe to consume without much cooking.
๐จโ๐ณHow To Make Grilled Stuffed Tomatoes
1. Preheat the grill to about 400ยฐ- 450ยฐ surface temperature. Medium if you don't want to check the temp. Clean and oil grates. This can quickly be done near the end of grilling the main dish.
2. Wash tomatoes and cut tops off, making a bowl. Spoon out the inside, being careful not to go through the outside. Wash out the shells, take the inner core that you removed, and wash off any seeds. Chop the cores and top into ยผ inch cubesโdiscard any tough parts of the core and stem.
3. Combine chopped tomato, ยผ cup each feta, Parmesan cheese, and Italian breadcrumbs in a mixing bowl. Add salt, pepper, parsley, oregano, basil, and garlic. Mix well, then stuff the filling into the tomato shells.
4. Mix 1 tablespoon each of Parmesan, bread crumbs, and olive oil.
5. Top each stuffed tomato with half of the mixture.
6. Brush tomato skin with oil.
7. Cook with the grill lid closed for about 10 minutes until the skin starts to fall off and the top is browning. You can put them directly on a well-oiled grill grate or in a grill pan.
8. Be careful handling the tomatoes after cooking; they may fall apart easily.
For more details, keep reading. See the Recipe Card below for complete instructions and to print.
๐จโ๐ณOven Baked Stuffed Tomatoes
You can oven-bake stuffed tomatoes in a 400ยฐ oven for 10-12 minutes.
๐Ingredient notes and variations
- Tomatoesโmedium to large size, firm and not over-ripe
- CheeseโFeta and Parmesan cheese, but mozzarella, goat cheese, or other choices are OK.
- Italian seasoned bread crumbs but different flavors of your choice
- Garlicโfresh or a touch of powder
- Some optional ingredientsโcooked Italian sausage or other cooked ground or processed meat, cooked orzo, cooked rice or quinoa
โจ๏ธ Grilling tips
This can be done near the end of other grillings. The grill needs to be in the medium range. So, it matches most chicken, pork chop, and pork tenderloin recipes. If you are cooking something like a Grilled Strip Steaks, the temperature of a small part of the grill can be decreased for the tomatoes.
Do not cook stuffed tomatoes on a grill hotter than 450ยฐ, or they will fall apart before the center is hot.
How to serve
Great to serve with any meal, but try them with Grilled Italian Chicken Breasts, Grilled Split Chicken Beasts, Grilled Whole Chicken, and Balsamic Pork Tenderloin.
Grilling side dishes
Check out some other grilled sides like Grilled Pineapple, Grilled Peaches, Grilled Carrots, Grilled Baked Potatoes with No Foil, and Grilled Biscuits.
Storage and reheating leftovers
Leftovers happen, but don't plan for them since they are much better freshly cooked. Use a convection oven or air-fryer. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for 3 days.
โFAQs
Most tomatoes will work. Very ripe, soft tomatoes will tend to fall apart, so avoid them. Medium-sized round tomatoes work best. There are many types and colors at the market to try.
Yes. Use gluten-free bread crumbs. They are commercially available, or you can make your own by running gluten-free bread through a food processor.
A few hours only and refrigerate until needed.
Yes, but they are much better freshly cooked. Use a convection oven or air-fryer. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for 3 days.
This recipe is listed in these categories. See them for more similar recipes.
Have you tried this recipe, or have a question? Join the community discussion in the comments.
๐ Recipe
Grilled Stuffed Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 2 tomatoes - Medium and firm
- ยผ cup Feta cheese
- ยผ cup Parmesan cheese - plus 1 tablespoon grated
- ยผ cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs - plus 1 tablespoon
- 1 teaspoon parsley
- ยฝ teaspoon salt
- ยฝ teaspoon oregano
- ยฝ teaspoon basil
- ยผ teaspoon pepper
- 1 clove garlic crushed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil plus some for brushing
Instructions
- Preheat the grill to about 400ยฐ- 450ยฐ surface temperature. Medium if you don't want to check the temp. Clean and oil grates. This can quickly be done near the end of grilling the main dish.
- Wash tomatoes and cut tops off, making a bowl. Spoon out the inside, being careful not to go through the outside. Wash out the shells and take the inner core that you removed and wash off any seeds. Chop the cores and top into ยผ inch cubesโdiscard any tough parts of the core and stem.
- Combine chopped tomato, ยผ cup each feta, Parmesan cheese, and Italian breadcrumbs in a mixing bowl. Add salt, pepper, parsley, oregano, basil, and garlic. Mix well, then stuff the filling into the tomato shells.
- Mix 1 tablespoon each of Parmesan, bread crumbs, and olive oil.
- Top each stuffed tomato with half of the mixture.
- Brush tomato skin with oil.
- Cook with the grill lid closed for about 10 minutes until the skin starts to fall off and the top is browning. You can put them directly on a well-oiled grill grate or in a grill pan.
- Be careful handling the tomatoes after cooking; they may fall apart easily.
Want to save this recipe for later?
Recipe Notes
Pro Tips
- Use round, medium to large firm tomatoes.
- You can oven-bake stuffed tomatoes in a 400ยฐ oven for 10-12 minutes.
- Stuff with what you want, but my suggestions are very good. Multiple options are discussed in the post.
- Cook directly on the grill grates or a grill pan.
- Time will vary by the grill temperature and size of the tomatoes.
- Leave the skin on until served, it will hold the tomatoes together somewhat.
Your Own Private Notes
To adjust the recipe size:
You may adjust the number of servings in this recipe card under servings. This does the math for the ingredients for you. BUT it does NOT adjust the text of the instructions. So you need to do that yourself.
Nutrition Estimate
ยฉ 101 Cooking for Two, LLC. All content and photographs are copyright protected by us or our vendors. While we appreciate your sharing our recipes, please realize copying, pasting, or duplicating full recipes to any social media, website, or electronic/printed media is strictly prohibited and a violation of our copyrights.
Originally Published July 18, 2010. Updated with expanded options, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help navigation.
Dr Dan says
I had never had one before so I was very happy with the results. I'm going to follow a recipe someday.
Sage says
I love stuffed tomatoes; haven't made them in ages. But I never thought of putting them on teh grill; smart idea.
Rita