Easy Hearty Stuffed Tomatoes with Rice
Updated May 15, 2025
By Rebecca St.Clair
These easy hearty stuffed tomatoes are a delicious combination of ripe, juicy tomatoes and aromatic rice seasoned with herbs and spices creating a vibrant satisfying vegetarian dinner or side dish to your favourite meal.
Juicy tomatoes stuffed with herbed rice, shallots, and just the right blend of aromatic spices, then slow-baked until tender and bursting with flavour.
The cozy, baked comfort food meal is satisfying and hearty while still being naturally plant-based and nutritious.
Stuffed tomatoes are one of those foods I make all the time. I can hardly imagine cooking without tomatoes in my kitchen!
How to Make Stuffed Tomatoes
There are so many recipes for stuffed tomatoes out there, because really you can stuff them with whatever you want. Meat, cheese, rice, and even bread stuffing.
To make a perfectly stuffed tomato, the most important part is the proper tomato. The tomato acts as a flavourful food vessel for whatever you are placing inside. Like a bread bowl for a thick soup.
Tips to pick the perfect fruit for your stuffed tomato
- Choose a large tomato – This is a dinner sized meal so you will want to choose the tomato accordingly.
- Pick a firm tomatoes – The outside of this tomato needs to hold up to being stuffed and cooked.
- Choose tomatoes without blemishes – The whole outside of the tomato needs to stay intact. Plus, you will be presenting it to your dinner guest. So a good looking tomato is a must.
Beefsteak is one of the best choices for stuffed tomatoes due to their generous size, sturdy exterior, and they hold up well to heat.
Of course, your favourite variety of tomato will always be the best choice!
Can Stuffed Tomatoes Be Frozen?
The short answer is yes! Tomatoes and stuffed tomatoes can be frozen. However, their texture once defrosted will be altered. Defrosted frozen tomatoes loose their firm texture once frozen.
Stuffed tomatoes that are going to be cooked, will become softened anyways in the oven due to the cooking process.
To freeze stuffed tomatoes:
- Follow the recipe up to the point that you are going to cook the stuffed tomatoes.
- Place the uncooked stuffed tomatoes on a baking sheet and freeze for 2 – 3 hours.
- Once they are firm, remove them to a freezer bag or airtight container.
- Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
What To Serve With Stuffed Tomatoes
This recipe can be served as a meat-free main course or a side dish.
Some perfect stuffed tomato pairings are:
- Baked chicken breast. This versatile protein pairs perfectly with any tomato recipe.
- Pan Seared Steak. This rich and flavourful protein is a great choice for a tomato side dish.
- A thick slice of bread with cheese.
Stuffed tomato alternatives
My favourite alternatives for rice are:
- Couscous
- Riced cauliflower
- Quinoa
My favourite alternatives for tomatoes are:
- peppers
- zucchinis
- eggplants
How to Store and Reheat Stuffed Tomatoes
Let them cool to room temperature. Then seal the leftover cooked tomatoes in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap. Store the tomatoes in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
For longer storage refer to the freezer directions.
To reheat the leftovers, place on a baking sheet or oven proof dish and bake in a preheated 400 ºF (200 ºC) oven for 10-12 minutes or until the filling is warmed all the way through.
Alternatively, you can reheat them in an air fryer for 8-10 minutes.
Ingredients
Tomatoes – Large tomatoes like beefsteak are perfect for this recipe.
Bell pepper – Adds crunch and flavour.
Shallot – Flavour. Can be replaced with the same amount of onion.
Parsley – Adds flavour and colour.
Salt – Flavour.
Curry powder – Flavour and colour.
Rice – Use your favourite precooked rice.
Lentils – Adds heartiness.
Method
- Cut a circle out of the top of 8 tomatoes and set aside.
- With a spoon, scoop out the inside pulp of each tomato and turn upside down to drain.
- Purée the tomato pulp.
4. Cook 1 cup dried rice according to the package directions.
5. Preheat oven to 400 °F (200 °C)
6. In a large skillet with 2 Tablespoons of olive oil, fry the diced shallot until soft and translucent.
7. Add in the diced pepper, cooked rice, 1/2 cup lentils, parsley, 1 teaspoon salt, tomato purée, and 1 teaspoon curry powder. Cook together until the lentils are soft.
8. Stuff each tomato with the curried rice mixture. Return the top of the tomatoes and place in an oven proof dish.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the tomatoes are soft and coloured.
10. Remove, cool slightly, and serve.
Vegan Rice Stuffed Tomatoes
This delicious old-fashioned recipe is a healthy meat free meal or a personal sized side dish. Ruby red tomatoes stuffed with a flavourful curried rice, then baked to perfection!
Ingredients
- 8 large tomatoes
- 1 small bell pepper, diced
- 1 diced shallot
- ½ cup fresh parsley or 1 tablespoon dried parsley 15 ml
- 1 teaspoon salt 5 ml
- 1 teaspoon curry powder 5 ml
- ½ cup red lentils 200g
- 1 cup dried rice 300 g
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil 30 ml
Instructions
- Cut a circle out of the top of 8 tomatoes and set aside.
- With a spoon, scoop out the inside pulp of each tomato and turn upside down to drain.
- Purée the tomato pulp.
- Cook the rice according to the package directions.
- Preheat oven to 400 °F (200 °C)
- In a large skillet with 2 Tablespoons of olive oil, fry the diced shallot until soft and translucent.
- Add in the diced pepper, cooked rice, 1/2 cup lentils, parsley, 1 teaspoon salt, tomato purée, and 1 teaspoon curry powder. Cook together until the lentils are soft.
- Stuff each tomato with the curried rice mixture. Return the top of the tomatoes and place in an oven proof dish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the tomatoes are soft and coloured.
- Remove, cool slightly, and serve.
Notes
You can switch out the tomatoes in this recipe for peppers, zucchini, or even eggplant.
Nutrition Information
Yield
8Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 153Total Fat 4gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 3gCholesterol 0mgSodium 311mgCarbohydrates 26gFiber 4gSugar 6gProtein 5g
Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.
Hungry for some more vegan recipes? Hop over here!
