Kale & Quinoa Stuffed Tomatoes are a delicious way to use up some tomatoes. It's that time of year when the garden is bursting with them. To me, there are few things better than a perfect, vine-ripened tomato picked and eaten while still warm from the sun. I bring the salt shaker out to the garden with me. But there are too many to use them up that way. They all seem to ripen at once. Fortunately, dreaming up ways to use them isn't hard. and whatever is left at the end of the season can be canned, frozen or made into sauces for the winter.
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Stuffed Tomatoes- An Easy and Versatile Recipe
If you don't have a garden, it won't be hard to find ripe local tomatoes. And you can buy hothouse tomatoes year-round, so any time of year is a good time to make these stuffed tomatoes. It's worthwhile making these because they're a hearty and delicious meal on their own, or as a side dish. I love stuffing veggies, whether its tomatoes, peppers, squash, potatoes, mushrooms or whatever. There's just something fun about eating a meal in an edible bowl.
I also have a bumper crop of kale, and a lot of fresh basil out there too, so these tomatoes are stuffed with quinoa, basil, garlic, and kale mixture, then topped with Parmesan cheese and baked in the oven. I added a bit of chopped cayenne chili pepper (also from the garden) for a bit of heat, but that is up to you. This simple combo is a deliciously fresh and flavourful meal. It's also very healthy and easy to make.
Quinoa, A Super Food Grain
Quinoa is a healthy, versatile superfood. It's quick & easy to cook, and perfect as a substitute for rice in stuffing veggies. It's a super versatile seed that you can get really creative with. Try Sweet Potato Quinoa Cakes or this Sweet Potato Quinoa Chick Pea Salad. And if you need more reasons to eat some quinoa, check out 11 Proven Benefits of Quinoa.
These are equally good hot or cold, but you can make them ahead and reheat. Stuffed tomatoes are a delicious accompaniment for grilled chicken, fish or steak; or a complete vegetarian meal along with a salad. And if you want to stuff more veggies, try Stuffed Anaheim Peppers, Stuffed Acorn Squash, or Moroccan Style Ground Chicken Stuffed Peppers
Recipe
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Quinoa and Kale Stuffed Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 4 large ripe tomatoes
- 1 cup quinoa cooked according to package directions (usually 15 minutes)
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ cup fresh basil chopped
- 4 cups chopped kale
- 2 cups fresh mushrooms chopped
- 1 cayenne chile pepper minced (optional)
- salt and freshly ground pepper
- ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°
- Lightly oil a baking dish with olive oil.
- Slice off a little of the stem ends on each tomato and hollow out the pulp with a spoon. Reserve pulp.
- Sprinkle salt inside each tomato and stand the tomato hollow side up in the baking dish. If your dish is the right size, the tomatoes should be crowded enough to stand up. If not, you can cut a very thin slice from the bottom of each one to make them flat enough to stand.
- Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high and add chopped kale, mushrooms, chili pepper, if using, and minced garlic. Season with salt and pepper and saute until kale is just starting to wilt, about 5 minutes
- Remove from heat, and add cooked quinoa, reserved tomato pulp and basil to kale mixture, mixing well.
- Evenly divide the filling among the tomatoes.
- Cover with foil and bake for 15-20 minutes.
- Remove foil, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, and bake for 5 more minutes, until cheese is melted.
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy
What a delicious, health and nutritious dish. This can be a stand alone meal....perfect for brunch, lunch and dinner too.
Colleen
Hi Gloria, yes, it's perfect as a meal in itself. The quinoa is a great protein source.
Tiffany
So healthy! I love stuffing veggies too. I have not made stuffed tomatoes in awhile. I can't wait to make this.
Colleen
I hope you enjoy it Tiffany!
Helene
I love stuffed tomatoes but I have never tried quinoa stuffed tomatoes. I bet it would taste great with polenta 🙂
Colleen
Great idea, Helene! I bet it would be delicious with polenta.
Sandi
This would make a wonderful meal for Meatless Monday.
Colleen
I agree, Sandi. Meatless Monday, or any day! 🙂
Sam | Ahead of Thyme
Wow these look delicious! I know what I'm making for dinner tomorrow!
Colleen
Hi Sam! I hope you enjoy them! 🙂
Gabby
Yum these looks so tasty, and healthy! I have only ever stuffed peppers, I can't believe I never thought to stuff tomatoes before! I love this.
Gabrielle @ eyecandypopper
That sounds delicious! I would usually stay away from stuffed tomatoes because they can be quite gross, but this looks appetizing, stuffed with all kinds of good things!
Colleen
Haha, you obviously have strong feelings about stuffed tomatoes, Gabby! 🙂 I think these ones would change your mind, though!
Elaine @ Flavour and Savour
Mmmm! Pinning this one! I like the addition of kale as it adds colour as well as nutrition! Can't wait to make these!
Colleen
Thanks Elaine! Kale is perfect in these, and spinach will work too!
Pat
adapted your recipe...peppers for tomatoes, added shredded zucchini and chopped almonds! no cheese... were delicious! thanks for the inspiration! fresh basil was a wonderful addition!
admin
That sounds wonderful Pat! Thanks for sharing.
Sarah
Holy crap these look amazing!