Tomatoes with a Polenta Filling

Elevate your next meal with these elegant and flavorful Tomatoes with a Polenta Filling—a perfect balance of rustic charm and gourmet flair! Juicy, hollowed-out tomatoes are delicately stuffed with creamy, Parmesan-infused polenta, enriched with garlic, butter, and fresh basil for a burst of herbaceous elegance. The recipe achieves golden perfection in the oven, where the polenta becomes irresistibly rich and the tomatoes soften to succulent sweetness. This gluten-free, vegetarian dish is ideal as a stunning appetizer, a light main course, or a beautiful side dish at your next dinner party. Garnished with fresh parsley for a pop of color, these polenta-stuffed tomatoes deliver a comforting yet refined dining experience in just 45 minutes.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 6 pieces large tomatoes
• 1 cup polenta (cornmeal)
• 3 cups water
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Cut the tops off the tomatoes and scoop out the seeds and pulp using a spoon. Be careful not to puncture the walls of the tomatoes. Set the hollowed-out tomatoes aside and discard or save the pulp for another recipe.

Step 3

In a medium saucepan, bring water and milk to a gentle boil over medium heat. Add 1 teaspoon of salt.

Step 4

Gradually pour in the polenta while whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Reduce the heat to low and continue stirring until the polenta thickens, around 10-15 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in the butter, Parmesan cheese, chopped basil, minced garlic, and black pepper. Mix until everything is well combined and smooth. Remove from heat.

Step 6

Place the hollowed-out tomatoes in a baking dish. Drizzle the olive oil over the tomatoes and sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Step 7

Fill each tomato with the herbed polenta mixture, packing it gently.

Step 8

Bake the stuffed tomatoes in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the tomatoes are soft and slightly wrinkled, and the polenta filling is golden on top.

Step 9

Remove the tomatoes from the oven and let them cool slightly. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired, and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2454.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2006.9

Total Fat 86.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 37.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.5g
Cholesterol 167.8mg	0%
Sodium 4044.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 246.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 23.2g	0%
Total Sugars 41.8g
Protein 69.9g	0%

Vitamin D 111.8IU	0%
Calcium 1386.2mg	0%
Iron 9.3mg	0%
Potassium 3397.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 38.0%

Protein: 13.7%

Carbs: 48.3%