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Today we are making Gemista! If youβre wondering what that is, itβs essentially Greek stuffed tomatoes. Itβs a stuffed tomato recipe thatβs 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. Itβs been on my βrecipes to makeβ list for a while, and Iβm 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 thatβs warm and comforting, but still light enough for summer. Itβs the best of both worldβs and I happen to think that this homemade filling makes the best stuffed tomatoes!
If youβre 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, Iβll show you how to make gemista. I promise these are super easy stuffed tomatoes!
- Prepare the tomatoes. Weβll 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. Donβt toss that tomato flesh! Weβre blending it with balsamic vinegar, Italian seasoning, olive oil, and some salt and pepper. Itβs the sauce and flavor for the meat stuffed tomatoes.
- Saute the filling. In this step weβll saute the onion, garlic, and ground beef. When the meat has browned, itβs time to add the cauliflower rice and tomato sauce. Bring this mixture to a boil and simmer until itβs 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 itβs thick and saucy, like this:
- Stuff the tomatoes. Carefully stuff the beef and cauliflower mixture into the tomatoes.
- Bake the stuffed tomatoes. Youβll 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 βstuffed.β
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 donβt 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 β no need to bake these!
- Low Carb Keto Chicken Salad β This easy chicken salad recipe is packed with flavorful herbs. Simple, healthy, & naturally low carb chicken salad thatβs ready in just a few minutes!
- Tuna Egg Salad β This easy tuna egg salad recipe is ready in just 10 minutes. Perfect to make ahead.
- Easy Avocado Tuna Saladβ 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 β This blender is my favorite! I use it daily, and itβs so so so worth the price. Makes blending the sauce for baked stuffed tomatoes easy!
- Ceramic Nonstick Chef Pans β These nonstick pans are great and even recipes with ground beef and tomatoes wonβt stain these pans.
- Glass Baking Dishes β A must for stuffed tomato recipes!
Gemista: Baked Greek Stuffed Tomatoes Recipe:
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RECIPE CARD
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.
Recipe Video
Click or tap on the image below to play the video. It's the easiest way to learn how to make this recipe!Ingredients
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Instructions
Get RECIPE TIPS in the post above, nutrition info + recipe notes below!
Click on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (191 degrees C). Line or grease a baking dish.
Slice the tops off the tomatoes. Scoop out the flesh and transfer it into a large blender. Remove as much flesh as possible without puncturing the exterior skin.
Place the tomatoes, cut side up, onto the baking dish with the "lids" on top or next to them. Set aside.
Add balsamic vinegar, Italian seasoning, 2 tablespoons (30 mL) olive oil, and 1/2 teaspoon sea salt to the blender. Blend until smooth. Set aside.
Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon (15 mL) olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and saute for about 10 minutes, until browned.
Add the minced garlic and saute for about a minute, until fragrant.
Add the ground beef. Season with sea salt and black pepper. Increase heat to medium-high. Cook for about 10 minutes, breaking apart with a spatula, until browned and cooked through.
Add the cauliflower rice and tomato pulp mixture, including liquid. It will be very liquid, almost like soup. Increase heat to high to bring to a simmer. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes, until the liquid reduces and you end up with beef and cauliflower rice in tomato sauce. The cauliflower rice should be soft. Adjust sea salt and pepper to taste.
Pat the insides of the tomatoes with paper towels to get rid of extra moisture. Stuff the beef/cauliflower mixture into the empty tomatoes in the baking dish. Place the tomato "lids" on top.
Cover the stuffed tomatoes with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for 15-20 more minutes, until tomatoes are soft and pucked on the edges.
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Recipe Notes
Video Showing How To Make Greek Stuffed Tomatoes:
Don't miss the VIDEO above - it's the easiest way to learn how to make Greek Stuffed Tomatoes!
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Nutrition Information Per Serving
Where does nutrition info come from? Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy, sourced from the USDA Food Database. You can find individual ingredient carb counts we use in the Low Carb & Keto Food List. Net carb count excludes fiber, erythritol, and allulose, because these do not affect blood sugar in most people. (Learn about net carbs here.) We try to be accurate, but feel free to make your own calculations.
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21 Comments
DIANE DORAN AT THE JERSEY SHORE
WHY NOT ADD SOME FETA CHEESE TO THE MEAT MIXTURE AND/OR USE GROUND LAMB WITH GREEK SEASONINGS.
I HAVE MADE STUFFED JERSEY TOMATOES WITH GROUND BEEF MOZZARELLA AND ITALIAN SPICES…..YUM!!!!!
ONE COULD ALSO PUT THE SCOOPED OUT TOMATO WITH ONION, CELERY, AND PAR-COOKED VEGGIES OF CHOICE TO MAKE IT VEGETARIAN.
STUFFED PEPPERS WOULD ALSO BE YUMMY WITH ANY OF THESE.
I LOVE YOUR SITE!!!
I AM 74 AND HAVE CREATED MANY VARIATIONS OF RECIPES TO KEEP MY FAMILY INTERESTED.
I AM DOING LO CARB/KETO, AND HAVE ENJOYED ALL THESE NEW RECIPES!!!!!
DIANE DORAN
Steve
Can I freeze this for future meals?
Wholesome Yum M
Hi Steve! Yes, the completed dish will freeze well.
Sarah
Yummy, looks great! Thank you so much for inspiring. Looking forward to cook it! π
Julie Murphy
We have always stuffed more than just tomatoes for yemista – aubergines, zucchini, onions, peppers (forget the potatoes!) and we flavor the meat with parsley and mint, with cinnamon in the cooking sauce.
You could also use the stuffing to make dolmades (stuffed blanched vine/Swiss chard/cabbage leaves).
Jenna Urben
Such an awesomely easy and healthy dinner idea! All my fave flavors π Love the cauliflower rice!
Kelly
Love this one veg dish like this. The tomatoes lend great moisture and a touch of sweetness!
Emese
Love stuffed tomato! My husband made me a stuffed tomato on our first date night.
Lynn
These were so so good. Thanks for the delicious recipe!
Linda
I love making stuffed peppers so I knew I had to try these stuffed tomatoes. The filling is so flavorful while still being low carb that you wouldn’t even know you were eating so healthy. I have to say I added a little cheese to the top and browned it before serving but even without it, it was fantastic! Love keeping the tomato top too for an extra special presentation.
Jacqueline Debono
I’ve never made gemista but I love stuffing other veggies like bell peppers or round zucchini, so am sure I’m going to love these too. Great idea to use cauliflower rice instead of normal rice to make this dish low carb! Pinning for later!
Tatiana
I love Greek food, it is always very tasty. Love the mix of vegetables and flavors you used as stuffing here! I donβt normally like tomatoes, but the flavor combo (plus the fact that they tomatoes are cooked) is totally calling me.
Brian Jones
This was delicious, simple to make thanks to great instructions, definitely going into the dinner rotation.
Natalie
These baked tomatoes look so delicious and perfect for the summer! Such a great idea for a healthy balanced dinner or lunch.
Ashley
We made these for dinner and will definitely be making again. Thanks for this recipe!
Kristen
These were SO incredibly full of flavor! And I love that they met my diet goals.
Sophie
This is. Very new dish for me but I love anything stuffed in tomatoes.
Josi
These are awesome! Thanks for the great instructions!
Veena Azmanov
This is surely delicious, yum and unique. Love the presentation too.
Laura
This recipe is totally satisfying, so much flavor from such simple nourishing ingredients.
Jess
I absolutely love stuffed vegetables, tomatoes being my favorite so you definitely have my attention!