An easy and seasonal side dish using cherry tomatoes and fresh basil, this Tomato and Basil Bake is the perfect late summer side dish.
I know, I know. Labor Day is on Monday, and you are probably busy planning your menu for the last celebration of summer. And you stop in here and wonder – what? This isn’t a Labor Day recipe!
Well, I know this isn’t your typical “holiday at the beach” or “backyard bbq” side dish, but what better way to celebrate the end of summer than with the beautiful produce that the summer has to offer?
Back when I had a garden, one of my favorite things to do was to just go out to the Sweet 100 tomato plant and pop those babies in my mouth like candy. And they practically tasted like candy, sweet and juicy and just warm from the summer sun. Oh, how I miss those tomato plants. But thank goodness for the farmers market and local tomatoes – I can still enjoy the bounty of the season.
See how to make this Tomato and Basil Bake here:
This side dish is almost so simple that a recipe isn’t totally required, but when it comes to side dishes, simplicity is the key in my book. This dish highlights the fresh tomatoes, and the little bit of basil (which was picked out of my backyard) makes this side dish sing.
So maybe it’s not the best Labor Day recipe, but it is the best end of summer recipe!!
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More tomato side dishes:
Caprese Tartlets
Tomatoes Roasted with Pesto
Tomato Zucchini Salad
Or these recipes from around the web:
Heirloom Tomato Frico Cups from Foodiecrush
Caprese Stacks with Grilled Honey Balsamic Potatoes from A Farmgirl’s Dabbles
Corn, Avocado and Tomato Salad from The Girl Who Ate Everything
Corn, Tomato and Basil Saute from Aggie’s Kitchen
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Tomato and Basil Bake
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 12 mins
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
Description
An easy and seasonal side dish using cherry tomatoes and fresh basil, this Tomato and Basil Bake is the perfect late summer side dish.
Ingredients
- 1 pound cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/3 cup panko bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 2 tablespoons chopped basil
Instructions
Preheat the broiler.
Combine the tomatoes, garlic and olive oil in an 8-inch baking dish. Season with salt and pepper. Broil, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes are softened, about 12 minutes.Â
Combine the panko and the butter, then sprinkle over the tomatoes. Broil for 30 seconds, then sprinkle the basil over the top. Serve.
Recipe Notes:
Source: Every Day with Rachael Ray June 2013
Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts.
Nutrition
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 54 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
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Sandi says
I don’t have fresh basil. Can I used dried basil? if so, more or less?
Deborah says
You can, it won’t be quite the same but it will still be good! You would use 2 teaspoons of dried basil.
Kristin Joyce says
Love this recipe! So quick and easy and delicious!
★★★★★
L says
Mmmmmmmm. I loved this.
★★★★
Melissa Reagan says
Why won’t it let me pin it so I can make it when my tomatoes ripen? It says pinning isn’t allowed from this site
Deborah says
I’m not sure why it’s not letting you pin – there shouldn’t be any blocks. Did you try the PIN IT FOR LATER button at the top?
Humayra says
Will it taste too different if I used regular or seasoned Italian breadcrumbs instead of panko breadcrumbs? Thanks!
Deborah says
It would change the flavor a bit, but I still think it would be delicious!
Diane says
I love this and have made it twice with rave reviews.
JoAnne says
Do you think it would work with very ripe beefsteak tomatoes, or would it make it more liquidy? Or what could I do to prevent that from happening?
Thanks!
Deborah says
I haven’t tried a different kind of tomato, but I’m guessing that it would work. I would maybe cut the tomato in half and remove the seeds, and then cut it into large chunks.
Jen says
Will this dish still work well if it is cold ex. at a BBQ or something?
Deborah says
I haven’t tried it cold, so I’m not sure – I’m guessing it would be fine, though. Maybe not the same as when you have it warm, but it’s such a simple recipe that I’m betting it would be great warm or room temp!
Allison Phelps says
I made this for my husband on our anniversary last weekend and we both loved it so much. Thank you for the recipe.
Sara says
Made this with dinner and we all loved it! If I could marry a food it would be broiled tomatoes. Thanks for the recipe!
Deborah says
So glad you loved it – it’s a summer staple here!!
Sheila says
What can I repla e the panko breadcrumbs with to make this dish gluten free?
Deborah says
You could simply leave them off and just bake the basil and tomatoes together.
Paula Porter says
I found gluten free panko at Walmart. I’m sure other grocery stores would have them.
Meg says
I know you have this posted as a side dish but I’m thinking it would be splendid over some eggs for breakfast! In fact, that’s what I’ll be doing! Thanks for posting a delicious recipe.
Nutmeg Nanny says
Oh goodness, I am loving the flavors in this bake 🙂 it is mouth watering!!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says
The toasted breadcrumbs on top has me totally sold!
Gissie says
Delicious ! Thank you
Ella says
This is so incredibly good. I made it this afternoon and ate the entire thing, the pig that I am. I could not help myself.
Cassie | Bake Your Day says
I’m drooling over this one. So simple but so flavorful! I can imagine this is a big hit!
Joanne says
This is my kind of side dish! I am SO into tomatoes at the moment, especially when roasted!
Ali | Gimme Some Oven says
Such a beautiful use for cherry tomatoes! This looks wonderful!!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
The panko bread crumbs make this look like a winner!
Chels R. says
Wow- this looks gorgeous! I cannot wait to make this!
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
This dish is so beautiful and summery, Deb! Perfect for those with an excess of tomatoes. I bet it would be delicious served over rice, pasta or crusty bread slices. Thanks for sharing!
Bree (Skinny Mommy) says
These looks like the perfect summer recipe!
Belinda @themoonblushbaker says
I love recipes like this. Things I can make either for one person or for a massive crowd. Such a soild base, all you need is a green salad and I am ready to eat!
I can not wait for tomatoes to come in Australia
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
Love the simplicity to this. Yum!
Aggie says
So beautiful!! Our summer doesn’t officially end for a while, I’m always in the mood for tomato recipes, this looks delicious!
Tieghan says
This dish is stunning and in my mind it is the perfect Labor day recipe!! I love those sweet cherry and grape tomatoes. They are like summer candy!