Gemista: Baked Greek Stuffed Tomatoes Recipe

This baked Greek stuffed tomatoes recipe (Gemista) makes an easy low carb dinner. Cauliflower rice and meat stuffed tomatoes are both flavorful, healthy and low carb.

By Maya on August 6, 2019

21 Comments

The full ingredients and instructions are on the recipe card at the end of this post. Before you scroll or jump to the recipe card, don't miss the HELPFUL RECIPE TIPS in the post itself!

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Today we are making Gemista! If you’re wondering what that is, it’s essentially Greek stuffed tomatoes. It’s a stuffed tomato recipe that’s packed with ground beef, a tomato sauce, and cauliflower rice. The meat stuffed tomatoes are then baked until they are soft and tender and so tasty. It’s been on my “recipes to make” list for a while, and I’m sorry I waited so long, these baked stuffed tomatoes make a fantastic meal!

I love this easy stuffed tomato recipe because it makes a really filling meal that’s warm and comforting, but still light enough for summer. It’s the best of both world’s and I happen to think that this homemade filling makes the best stuffed tomatoes!

If you’re a fan of Greek flavors with meat, also try lamb chops in the oven or lamb kofta kebab.

How To Make Gemista Greek Stuffed Tomatoes

The word gemista, might make you think this recipe is complex, but have no fear, I’ll show you how to make gemista. I promise these are super easy stuffed tomatoes!

Prepare the tomatoes. We’ll slice the tops off of the tomatoes and then carefully scoop out all of the tomato flesh. You want to be careful not to puncture the exterior skin of the tomato.

Blend the tomato sauce. Don’t toss that tomato flesh! We’re blending it with balsamic vinegar, Italian seasoning, olive oil, and some salt and pepper. It’s the sauce and flavor for the meat stuffed tomatoes.

Saute the filling. In this step we’ll saute the onion, garlic, and ground beef. When the meat has browned, it’s time to add the cauliflower rice and tomato sauce. Bring this mixture to a boil and simmer until it’s thickened.

TIP: When you first add the pureed tomato pulp mixture, it will be very liquid, like soup. This is normal! Just simmer it until it’s thick and saucy, like this:

Stuff the tomatoes. Carefully stuff the beef and cauliflower mixture into the tomatoes.

Bake the stuffed tomatoes. You’ll bake them covered first, then uncover to brown the tops.

What Is Gemista?

Gemista, or Greek yemista as it is also known as, is a stuffed tomato. Yemista means “stuffed.”

Traditional Greek gemista typically includes a filling made from beef, rice, and tomatoes or other vegetables. Then, the mixture is stuffed into tomatoes and baked.

My gemista recipe is just like the authentic version, but uses healthier, low carb cauliflower rice instead of regular rice. That also makes them keto friendly, paleo friendly, and even whole30 approved.

Are Meat Stuffed Tomatoes Low Carb?

Many baked stuffed tomatoes recipes are not low carb as they are made with rice.

BUT, of course this one is low carb! I wanted to make a low carb greek stuffed tomatoes with meat recipe so that we can all join in on the gemista deliciousness too.

Can You Make Baked Stuffed Tomatoes Ahead?

If you want to make baked stuffed tomatoes with ground beef ahead, I would recommend prepping the tomatoes and making the filling and then assembling the tomatoes and baking right before serving.

You could do this a day or two ahead, but not much earlier as the tomatoes will start to lose their shape. These stuffed tomatoes Greek style are so easy that fresh is definitely best!

Can You Freeze Gemista?

Yes, you can freeze this keto stuffed tomato recipe! Raw tomatoes don’t freeze well, but freezing baked stuffed tomatoes is perfectly fine.

Alternatively, you could freeze the prepared beef and cauliflower filling, and stuff it into fresh tomatoes before baking and serving.

More Ideas For Stuffed Tomato Recipes

Tomatoes (along with zucchini!) make excellent containers for salads. If you like these Greek stuffed tomatoes, you might also like some of these salads. Stuff them into tomatoes – no need to bake these!

Low Carb Keto Chicken Salad – This easy chicken salad recipe is packed with flavorful herbs. Simple, healthy, & naturally low carb chicken salad that’s ready in just a few minutes!
Tuna Egg Salad – This easy tuna egg salad recipe is ready in just 10 minutes. Perfect to make ahead.
Easy Avocado Tuna Salad – This quick and easy tuna and avocado salad needs just 7 ingredients! The perfect combination of flavors for healthy stuffed tomatoes.

Tools To Make Baked Greek Stuffed Tomatoes:

Click the links below to see the items used to make this recipe.

High-Power Blender – This blender is my favorite! I use it daily, and it’s so so so worth the price. Makes blending the sauce for baked stuffed tomatoes easy!
Ceramic Nonstick Chef Pans – These nonstick pans are great and even recipes with ground beef and tomatoes won’t stain these pans.
Glass Baking Dishes – A must for stuffed tomato recipes!