Perfect Ina Garten Scalloped Tomatoes Recipe for Summer Dinners

Scalloped tomatoes transform ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience that will surprise and delight you.

This mouthwatering dish represents the perfect balance between rustic comfort and elegant simplicity.

Fresh, ripe tomatoes become the star of a warm, bubbling creation that elevates basic ingredients to gourmet status.

Mediterranean-inspired techniques merge with classic cooking methods to create something truly special.

The recipe celebrates seasonal produce with a creative twist that makes ordinary vegetables feel extraordinary.

Unexpected textures and layers of flavor come together in a harmonious blend that will make you fall in love with vegetable dishes.

Ways to Reimagine with Herbs or Cheese

• Garden Fresh Herb Medley: Enhance the scalloped tomatoes by adding a mix of fresh herbs like thyme, oregano, and rosemary for an aromatic Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Spicy Southwestern Kick: Incorporate diced jalapeños, chili powder, and a sprinkle of cumin to transform the dish into a zesty, heat-packed side with a southwestern flair.
• Cheesy Mediterranean Upgrade: Replace Parmesan with crumbled feta cheese and add kalamata olives for a Greek-inspired variation that brings tangy, rich flavors to the classic recipe.
• Smoky Bacon Infusion: Crisp up some bacon pieces and mix them into the tomato mixture, adding a smoky, savory element that complements the sweet roasted tomatoes perfectly.

Goodbye to a Tomato Dish You’ll Crave Again

Culinary magic emerges from Ina Garten’s scalloped tomatoes, transforming simple ingredients into an extraordinary Mediterranean-inspired sensation.

Robust tomatoes mingle with crisp bread cubes, creating layers of complex flavor profiles.

Parmesan cheese provides delightful salty notes while fresh basil introduces aromatic brightness.

Kitchen enthusiasts will discover this recipe celebrates summer’s bounty with elegant simplicity.

Mediterranean comfort radiates through each carefully crafted bite, connecting home cooks with rustic Italian traditions.

Passionate palates: share this delectable recipe, comment below with your personal twist, and spread culinary joy across social platforms!

Why Scalloped Tomatoes Are a Hidden Gem

• Savor Rustic Flavor Explosion: This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a mouthwatering dish bursting with fresh tomato intensity and crispy bread textures that dance together deliciously.
• Master Quick Culinary Magic: Home cooks can easily create a restaurant-worthy side dish in under an hour, using basic pantry staples and minimal technical cooking skills needed.
• Celebrate Seasonal Tomato Brilliance: Summer's ripest tomatoes shine brightly in this recipe, offering a vibrant, garden-fresh experience that captures the essence of seasonal produce at its peak deliciousness.
• Enjoy Versatile Comfort Cooking: Perfect for casual summer dinners, potlucks, or as a stunning accompaniment to grilled meats, this dish transitions effortlessly between casual and elegant dining scenarios.

Ingredients That Soak, Toast, and Sizzle

Main Ingredients:

• Ripe Tomatoes: Fresh, juicy tomatoes give the dish its vibrant flavor and create a rich, saucy base with perfect summer sweetness.
• Bread Cubes: Crusty day-old bread provides a crunchy texture and absorbs the tomato flavors, creating a hearty foundation for the dish.

• Garlic: Fresh minced garlic adds depth and aromatic complexity to the tomato mixture.
• Fresh Basil: Bright, herbaceous basil brings a classic Mediterranean touch and freshness to the recipe.
• Sugar: A small amount of sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes and enhances their natural sweetness.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that bring out the natural flavors of the ingredients.

• Olive Oil: High-quality olive oil helps toast the bread and adds richness to the overall dish.
• Parmesan Cheese: Aged Parmesan provides a salty, nutty topping that creates a golden, crispy crust when baked.

Bake It Golden for the Perfect Bite

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Warm your oven to a perfect 350°F / 180°C, creating an ideal cooking environment.

Step 2: Create Crispy Bread Cubes

• Olive oil
• Bread cubes

Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Toss bread cubes into the pan, ensuring each piece gets coated with oil. Stir continuously for 5 minutes until golden and evenly browned, creating crunchy texture.

Step 3: Build Flavor-Packed Tomato Base

• Diced tomatoes
• Garlic
• Sugar
• Salt
• Pepper

In a spacious bowl, combine all ingredients. Mix thoroughly to distribute seasonings evenly, awakening the tomatoes’ natural sweetness.

Step 4: Merge Bread and Tomato Goodness

Transfer tomato mixture into the pan with toasted bread cubes. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently for about 5 minutes. The bread will soak up delicious tomato juices.

Step 5: Add Fresh Herb Brightness

Remove pan from heat and gently fold in fresh basil, infusing the dish with aromatic herbaceous notes.

Step 6: Assemble and Cheese Up

• Parmesan cheese
• Remaining olive oil

Pour tomato mixture into a shallow baking dish. Sprinkle Parmesan generously across the top. Drizzle remaining olive oil for extra richness.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide the dish into the preheated oven. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the top turns a beautiful golden brown and tomatoes bubble enticingly.

Step 8: Serve and Savor

Bring the dish straight from oven to table. Serve piping hot or warm as a spectacular side dish or light main course. Watch as your guests delight in every flavorful bite!

Tips That Keep the Tomato Juicy Not Watery

• Handpick Perfect Tomatoes: Select ripe, vibrant plum tomatoes bursting with flavor to elevate the entire dish's taste profile.
• Cube Bread with Precision: Slice bread into consistent ½-inch cubes ensuring even toasting and optimal juice absorption for a delectable texture.
• Embrace Fresh Basil Magic: Sprinkle chopped fresh basil generously to infuse the recipe with bright, aromatic undertones that transform the entire meal.
• Grate Parmesan Like a Pro: Freshly grate Parmesan cheese moments before adding to develop a more intense, creamy melting quality that store-bought versions can't match.
• Watch for Golden Bubbling Perfection: Monitor the dish closely during baking, aiming for bubbling edges and a beautifully bronzed top that signals maximum flavor and irresistible crispiness.

Store It Smart Without Losing That Crust

• Freeze with Precision: Portion leftover Scalloped Tomatoes into freezer-safe containers, leaving a small space at the top for expansion. Label each container with the date and contents. Sealed properly, these tomato delights will maintain their flavor for up to 2 months in the freezer.
• Quick Refresh Method: Avoid microwave reheating to preserve the crispy bread texture. Instead, spread the cold tomatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet. Warm in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-12 minutes, which restores the dish's original crispness and brings back its vibrant flavors.
• Smart Storage Hack: Keep the Scalloped Tomatoes in a glass container with a tight-fitting lid to prevent moisture buildup.

Ina Garten Scalloped Tomatoes Recipe

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4.7 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s scalloped tomatoes elevate summer’s juicy bounty into a rustic masterpiece of culinary comfort. Roasted with crusty bread cubes, herbs, and parmesan, this dish delivers rich Mediterranean flavors you’ll crave at every summer gathering.

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Ingredients

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Vegetables and Herbs:

• 3 pounds (1.36 kilograms) plum tomatoes, ½-inch-diced (14 to 16 tomatoes)
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) minced garlic (3 cloves)
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) julienned fresh basil leaves, lightly packed

Bread and Cheese:

• 2 cups (480 milliliters) (½-inch) diced bread from a round rustic bread, crusts removed
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Seasoning and Oil:

• 5 tablespoons (75 milliliters) good olive oil, divided
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) sugar
• 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Warm the kitchen oven to a moderate temperature of 350°F / 180°C, ensuring precise heating for optimal results.
2. Select a large 12-inch sauté pan and pour / 45 milliliters of olive oil, heating over medium flame. Carefully introduce bread cubes, thoroughly coating them with oil and stirring consistently until achieving a golden, crisp exterior (approximately 5 minutes).
3. Create a vibrant tomato base by combining diced tomatoes, finely minced garlic, a pinch of sugar, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a spacious mixing bowl. Blend ingredients until harmoniously integrated.
4. Transfer the aromatic tomato mixture into the pan with toasted bread cubes, increasing heat to medium-high. Stir frequently, allowing flavors to meld and intensify for roughly 5 minutes. Gently fold in freshly chopped basil leaves, removing from heat.
5. Transition the fragrant mixture into a shallow baking vessel (6- to 8-cup / 1.5- to 2-liter capacity), ensuring even distribution. Generously dust the surface with grated Parmesan cheese and drizzle remaining / 30 milliliters of olive oil.
6. Position the dish in the preheated oven, baking for 35 to 40 minutes until the top develops a rich, golden-brown crust and tomatoes bubble with concentrated flavor.
7. Present immediately while piping hot or comfortably warm, offering a delectable side dish or light, satisfying meal.

Notes

• Capture summer’s essence by selecting sun-ripened, deep red plum tomatoes bursting with natural sweetness and intense flavor.
• Slice bread into precise ½-inch cubes ensuring consistent toasting and maximum juice absorption for a perfect texture blend.
• Elevate the dish with fragrant basil leaves, either freshly chopped or sparingly dried, to infuse vibrant herbal notes throughout.
• Transform the topping with hand-grated Parmesan cheese, releasing its rich, nutty complexity that melts seamlessly into the warm ingredients.
• Watch for golden-brown edges and bubbling surfaces signaling the perfect moment when crispy meets juicy, revealing the recipe’s ultimate deliciousness.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 262
• Sugar: 8.9 g
• Sodium: 518 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 6.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 4.6 g
• Protein: 6.5 g
• Cholesterol: 26 mg