Italian Rice Stuffed Tomatoes

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These rice stuffed tomatoes are a classic Italian recipe, they can be prepared ahead of time and baked just before dinner.

What are stuffed tomatoes with rice

Stuffed tomatoes with rice are a great option for vegetarian, celiac and even vegan. There is cheese in the mix but it is not a key component of the recipe and can be substituted. They can be served as a main course with a salad on the side.

The rice to use is Carnaroli rice, which is the same type of rice used for risotto. The rice will be crunchy outside and soft and creamy inside, that is why the type of rice is very important.

The rice cooks in the oven as pilaf rice, but there is no need to add any additional liquid. The rice cooks with the water from the tomato juices, so make sure the tomatoes are juicy and that all the juice is kept inside the tomatoes or with the filling.

The best tomatoes to use are the large round tomatoes which are juicy and large enough to accommodate a good portion of the filling.

The importance of the ingredients

The filling is made with the following ingredients:

• 3 cups – 500 g Carnaroli rice
• 1 cup of mozzarella or Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped basil leaves
• 1.5 tsp salt
• 5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

While cooking the rice absorbs the flavour of the fresh tomatoes, the basil, and the extra virgin olive oil. Using good and fresh ingredients is very important for this recipe.

In this recipe, I use provola cheese, but you can use mozzarella and even add some freshly grated parmesan cheese. The cheese will make the rice creamier, mantecato like in the risotto.

Preparing the tomatoes

1. Put the tomatoes into a baking plate
2. Cut the tops but keep them aside
3. With a spoon scoop out the inside of the tomatoes. Leave inside the tomatoes any juices that remain.
4. Season the tomatoes with salt and some olive oil

Preparing the filling

1. In a separate bowl chop the inside of the tomatoes.
2. Season with olive oil and salt
3. Add the rice
4. Add the parmesan or the mozzarella cut in cubes
5. and add the chopped basil leaves
6. Mix all well

Making the stuffed tomatoes

1. Fill the inside of the tomatoes with the rice mix
2. Spread the remaining rice around the tomatoes
3. Sprinkle with olive oil
4. Put back the tomatoes tops and sprinkle with some more olive oil
5. Bake in the oven at 180 C – 350 F for 45 minutes until the rice is nicely browned

Tips for making the best rice-stuffed tomatoes

• Use large juicy tomatoes
• You should use risotto rice Carnaroli or Arborio, basmati rice or sushi rice will not work in this recipe
• You can substitute the rice with a mix of 3 grains rice, spelt and barley or use quinoa instead but you will have to adjust the cooking time
• Make sure there is enough tomato juice in the mix as the rice needs to liquid to cook
• Cheese is an option but it helps to make the filling creamier
• Put the tops of the tomatoes back as they keep the steam inside the tomatoes and make the rice moist

When to serve these stuffed tomatoes with rice

This recipe is perfect for dinner parties or when you have guests. You can prepare it in advance and cook it just before you need to serve it.

I love risotto, but it is not practical for dinner parties as you need to stir it for 20 minutes while your guests are waiting for you at the table.

So here are more options for rice dishes you can prepare in advance and cook in the oven:

Baked Rice Pilaf

It is the perfect side dish to substitute risotto at a dinner party. Suitable for gluten free and vegetarian diets.

Check out this recipe

Vegetarian Rice Timbale with Grilled Eggplants Recipe

The Rice Timbale is more challenging to make than Risotto, but it is delicious and presents well. It is practical for dinner parties as you can prepare the rice and the filling the day before, and just compose the Timbale a few hours before your party. It can be served as a main dish and if you have a nice shaped tin, it will intrigue your guests when brought at the dinner table. Suitable for gluten free and vegetarian diets. #yourguardianchef #rice #italianrecipe

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Black Rice Recipe With Apple, Avocado And Carrots

 This black rice recipe, not only is simple to make and fresh for the summer, it is also full of healthy vegetables and fibers. A vegan meal that can be served as main or as a side dish for a barbecue dinner. #yourguardianchef #veganrecipes #vegetarianrecipes #blackrice #applerecipes #applesalad

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For more recipes made with fresh summer tomatoes, you can check the recipes below.

They are a combination of recipes using with all the typical Summer flavors of the Mediterranean countries.

If you are making this Italian Zucchini Frittata, leave your comment below I would like to hear from you. You can find more delicious ideas if you FOLLOW ME on Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram or sign up to my newsletter.

Italian Rice Stuffed Tomatoes

These rice stuffed tomatoes are a classic Italian recipe, they can be prepared ahead of time and baked just before dinner. #yourguardianchef #vegeratian #glutenfree #vegan

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes

Servings: 11 people

Print Pin Rate

Author: Laura Tobin

Ingredients

• 11 fresh tomatoes make sure they are juicy
• 3 cup Carnaroli rice
• 1 cup Parmesan or mozzarella cheese Optional for vegan/vegetarians option
• 1/2 cup chopped basil leaves
• 1.5 tbsp salt
• 5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

US Customary - Metric

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Instructions

Preparing the tomatoes

• Put the tomatoes into a baking plate, cut the tops but keep them aside
• With a spoon scoop out the inside of the tomatoes. Leave inside the tomatoes any juices that remain.
• Season the tomatoes with salt and some olive oil

Preparing the filling

• In a separate bowl chop the inside of the tomatoes.
• Season with olive oil and salt
• Add the rice 
• Add the parmesan or the mozzarella cut in cubes
• and add the chopped basil leaves
• Mix all well
• Fill the inside of the tomatoes with the rice mix
• Spread the remaining rice around the tomatoes
• Sprinkle with olive oil
• Put back the tomatoes tops and sprinkle with some more olive oil
• Bake in the oven at 180 C - 350 F for 45 minutes until the rice is nicely browned 
• Enjoy warm

Video

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Notes

• Use large juicy tomatoes
• You should use risotto rice Carnaroli or Arborio, basmati rice or sushi rice will not work in this recipe
• You can substitute the rice with a mix of 3 grains rice, spelt and barley or use quinoa instead but you will have to adjust the cooking time
• Make sure there is enough tomato juice in the mix as the rice needs to liquid to cook
• Cheese is an option but it helps to make the filling creamier
• Put the tops of the tomatoes back as they keep the steam inside the tomatoes and make the rice moist

Nutrition

Calories: 298kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 1105mg | Potassium: 361mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1155IU | Vitamin C: 17.1mg | Calcium: 136mg | Iron: 0.9mg

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