Stuffed Avocado
- Easy
- 26 min
- Kcal 410
Meat-stuffed tomatoes are this super tasty classic from southern Italy, showing off the best of Mediterranean summer. Really, it’s all about those juicy tomatoes like pomodori cuore di bue (oxheart), which are everywhere and super aromatic when it’s hot out. In this stuffed tomatoes recipe, the tomatoes become like natural bowls, holding a savory mix of ground beef and other fresh goodies. Across Italy, you find stuffed veggies—like Sicilian versions, stuffed artichokes, or eggplants—but these meat-stuffed tomatoes stand out for their simplicity. And look, everything gets so tender after it bakes. Really, so tender. Some menus even pair these with feta or eggplant, creating a whole Mediterranean meal that feels both light and filling. In southern Italy, the knack for making a few ingredients taste amazing together shines in these ground beef stuffed tomatoes. The filling stays moist and soaks up all the tomato’s sweet flavors as it cooks, making each bite full of that sun-soaked Italian taste. This dish carries a bit of tradition—Italian kitchens use whatever’s fresh, so summer tomatoes steal the show. Compared to versions filled with rice, the meat-stuffed tomatoes offer a richer, more savory experience. Perfect for folks looking for healthy stuffed tomatoes or even low-carb meals. Enjoy them as a second course at a cozy dinner, or pair with crusty bread and something crispy on the side. And listen, they're the ultimate comfort food from the Mediterranean: simple, flavorful, and made to share. For an authentic experience, try serving these with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of fresh herbs like basil or oregano. Whether you're enjoying them on a warm Italian evening or bringing a taste of the Mediterranean to your table, these meat-stuffed tomatoes will delight and satisfy everyone. They're a sign of how a few humble ingredients can create something really, really special—capturing the heart of Italian summer in every bite.
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To prepare the meat-stuffed tomatoes, first wash the tomatoes, cut off the top cap to a thickness of about 3/4 in 1 and set them aside. Scoop out the inside of the tomatoes with a teaspoon 2 and finely chop the extracted pulp 3.
Peel the carrots and cut them first into strips 4 and then into very small dice 5. Finally remove the ends of the leek and slice it into thin rounds 6.
Now take a nonstick skillet, pour about 2 tbsp of oil taken from the total amount and add the leek and carrots 7. Sauté over medium-high heat for about 4–5 minutes, then add the ground meat 8 and brown it for about 3 minutes. At this point deglaze with the white wine 9 and let it evaporate completely,
then add the chopped tomato pulp 10, lower the heat and let it cook for 5–6 minutes. Finally season with oregano 11, salt, pepper and turn off the heat 12.
Arrange the hollowed tomatoes in a baking dish, salt the inside 13 and dress it with a drizzle of oil 14. Fill the tomatoes with the meat mixture up to the rim 15,
cover them with the reserved tops 16, add another drizzle of oil on the surface 17 and bake in a preheated conventional oven at 3926F for 30 minutes, placing the baking dish on the lower rack. Once cooked, your meat-stuffed tomatoes are ready to be served hot 18!