My husband has always disliked risotto. Yes I know, let us all pick up our collective jaws off the ground together. I couldn’t believe it either. I’ve tried plying him with all different kinds but no, he steadfastly rejects it or picks at it sulkily as if I served him burnt toast. This dish however, changed his mind.
Stuffed vegetables are an impressive way of serving vegetables to the vegetable fearing children and a good way of getting hardened carnivores to try a vegetarian dish – even if it is unwittingly. I think it’s the unknown promise of what’s inside and the fact that a lot of stuffed vegetables use meat in some way. This one does not, although you could certainly add some. I don’t think this really needs any to be honest though as it stands on taste alone.
I considered fancying this up with truffle oil but decided against it, after all its appeal is that it is simple, rustic food that happens to be inexpensive and easy to cook. It can be eaten as a side dish to a meat main or by themselves. They tomatoes can be filled ahead of time and put aside so they are ideal for a dinner party. And as you’d expect try and use truss tomatoes – using a tomato without the greenery on top just doesn’t look the same.
Risotto Stuffed Tomatoes
An original recipe by Not Quite Nigella
- 6 vine ripened tomatoes
- 50g risotto rice
- 25g mozzarella cheese
- 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
- 1/4 onion finely chopped
- fresh basil leaves
- salt and black pepper
1. Preheat oven to 180C/350F. Slice off tops from tomatoes and reserve. Using a very small spoon (I use the “pinch” spoon from the Nigella set) scoop out seeds and drain in a sieve sitting on top of a bowl (I just leave the tomatoes to drain cut side down once I remove the seeds to ensure that the juice drips out), reserving the juice that comes out of the seeds.
2. Cook the risotto in a cup of salted boiling water for about 8-10 minutes. Stir in onion, garlic and mozarella. Tear up a couple of basil leaves and add those too. Season with salt and pepper. Then add tomato juice.
3. Using the same small spoon carefully spoon risotto into the now empty cavities of the tomatoes. Place on a lined baking tray and bake for 30 minutes until the skin is wrinkled.
4. Serve with fresh basil leaves.
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39 Comments | Add your own
They’re like tasty treats with little hats!
What a beautiful and clever way to serve risotto. This looks divine.
Perfect! That’s the kind of dish I like to eat during the summer…
Cheers,
Rosa
I made these and they were great! So simple and easy for a light snack or lunch.
I love your site
Great idea, they look lovely and tasty, yet also reasonably quick and easy
I could see this as being a nice application of using left over risotto or to add some variation if you went nuts and made way too much!
I’ve noticed recently that there are some really good tomatoes out there that are fairly cheap considering. Might have to give this one a go
Yum! I don’t see how your husband could resist risotto in this form – it looks wonderful. Those tomatoes are beautiful – red and plump. they look nothing like the anaemic, flavourless little numbers that bought for this week’s sandwiches.
Mm I love risotto but I can never be bothered making it because I get so bored standing there stirring in cup after cup of stock! This recipe looks so easy and delicious though, I will have to give it a try sometime
Mmm, looks like you could eat that hot or room temp. Delish!
I’m one of those curious and strange people like your husband. I really don’t like risotto. Oh how I’ve tried. Made it, turned out well, everyone else liked it, eaten it at restaurants where I’d been told they make the best.I just can’t handle it. It’s just like a pile of gelatinous goop on my plate no matter how gorgeous the individual ingredients. That said, I’d make these tomatoes. I do some with breadcrumbs and various other things and they are lovely. I ADORE good tomatoes. So,will suck in deep breath and give them a go. They look really good.
Can’t believe your husband does not like risotto! Oh my!
I love stuffed veges, there’s just something intriguing and fun about them
My boyfriend hates risotto, he calls it “fat rice”. He is not a major fan of tomatoes either, so I doubt this would tempt him, but I think this looks delicious! Maybe I will force it down him when he least expects it!
I also have a risotto-disliking husband. Will have to try these babies out on him and see if they change his mind too! They look beautiful
I didn’t know there were people who didn’t like risotto – you must be relieved to find a way to make him appreciate it – these look wonderful
My boyfriend loves risotto thankfully cos its so easy to make.
These look great! They would be perfect for entertaining as they’re much more presentable than just a pile of risotto on its own.
They do look lovely with the greenery on top – perfect for a dinner party. It’s great that you found a way to get Mr NQN to eat risotto too. I always miss eating things if I’m the only one who likes them.
Beautiful little tomatoes with delicious risotto inside – I love this idea – just scrumptious!
So much fun serving tomatoes in this way. I like how people look when they lift up the top to see what’s inside
Those would melt anybody’s heart & change anybody’s mind. Beautiful creation. I can see myself doing this with so much fresh tomatoes now.
wow! these look like such sweet, delicious little presents! I don’t think my attempt on these will turn out as perfect as yours…how do you keep the tomatoes from bursting apart?
These look good on a plate and are yummy to eat
Your husband dislikes risotto?!
Good thing this dish changed his mind; it looks really delicious!
I love risotto, and this looks amazing. Boyfriend saw me reading your blog and went “oh that looks interesting”… haha. He knows you’re one of my ‘go-to’ blogs when it comes to recipes.
And you’re right, it wouldn’t look as nice without the greenery on top.
x
Hi Blond Duck-Hehe yes they do!
Hi Feasting on Art-thankyou! I love stuffed veges-I always think they look so cute
Hi Rosa-Wonderful! Yes when there are good tomatoes in season they are great!
Hi Darya-Oh wonderful! Thankyou so much!
Hi Anita-They are quite quick and easy and healthy too!
Hi Simon-Yes you could certainly use left over risotto as not much is needed. Definitely use the best tomatoes you can find and they’ll be sublime
Yes some tomatoes out there nowadays are not great!
Hi Cakelaw-I don’t know either, he’s fussy that way!
But thankfully he liked these and didn’t complain at all 
Hi Steph-Yes me too! But I have a fix for that (keep watching NQN
) Wonderful! I’d love to know what you think of it!
Hi The Duo Dishes-Yes you could really! I ate them both ways and both were good
Hi Annie-Hehe ahh ok. I think he has a similar objection and he finds it too dry. But if it helps, he said loved these so perhaps they were non risottoey enough? Thankyou!
Hi Betty-Yep but I’m trying to get him to come around
There is isn’t there!
Hi Jenny-Ahh fat rice is probably an accurate term!
Hmm sounds like a double whammy for him although that means more for you (that’s the way I look at it 
)
Hi Nic-Ahh is it a male thing? I think if anything has a chance of changing his mind these will. They worked on Mr NQN
Thankyou!
Hi Johanna-There are! I was relieved although I was prepared to eat them all
Thankyou!
Hi Esz-Ahh relief! Thankyou and yes I struggle with the presentation of risotto so yes you’re right, these look more
presentable
Hi Arwen-Yes I love the green accent! I can’t do without it
Yes I went without making it for years really! Until I decided these just had to be made 
Hi 5 Star Foodie -Thankyou so much!
Hi Jude-Hehe yes it always makes it seem like fun when they can peer inside
Hi Soma-Thankyou! You are too kind!
Hi Sophia-Oh no don’t think that, they are so easy! They don’t burst as they have the tops lopped off
Hi snookydoodle-Thanks so much!
Hi Midge-Yup, but I’m changing that one dish at a time
Hi Su-yin-Thankyou! Hehe sounds like a good dinner coming up for him! Wonderful, I’d love to know what you think of it! x
I love risotto! A great way to enjoy risotto..looks so appetising!
*shock horror* @ Mr NQN not liking risotto! Hee hee I like edible containers ^^!
Good call on not using the truffle oil because the dish is so much better a rustic throwback.
Stuffing veggies is one of my favorite ways to get rid of the massive amount of veggies that grow in the garden.
Love all these flavors and nicely done!
i think stuffing tomatoes is such an extraordinary idea, but i’ve only ever seen it done with cheese. your use of risotto is brilliant and delicious, i’m sure.
So pretty with the little tops on!
That’s so pretty! I really love risotto and luckily my boyfriend likes it, too. I’m going to have to try stuffing some vegetables once my parents are loading me up with things from their garden!
MMMMM….Lorraine, I can’t believe your husband doesn(t like risottos!! Your stuffed tomatoes do look georgous!! I bet that they tasted divine!!! Yummie, my friend!!!
What a great idea. They remind me of a healthier version of risotto balls I used to get in Italian bakeries when I lived in Quebec.
Hi Pigpigscorner-Thanks! We liked them so much I’m making them again tonight
Hi FFichiban-Haha yes edible containers are great like soup in a roll etc
Hi Jeff-Thanks, yes it felt so rustic and truffle oil felt so not
I’m so envious that you have your own garden! 
Hi grace-Ahh really? I must try it with just cheese. I can imagine the ooze! Yumm!
Hi Cate -Thankyou so much!
Hi anna-Thankyou! Hehe yes it’s always nice when both of you enjoy something. Great idea!
Hi Sophie-Hehe I know, it’s true but I’m determined to bring him around
Thankyou so much! 
Hi Jaime-Ahh yes they are quite arancini ball-ish!
Good on you for not using truffle oil, it’s an awful awful thing! I am not a fan of risotto either (give me pasta any day), but these looks delicious, miam!
all your photos are amazing! its funny; the best stuffed tomato i ever had was at the hello kitty restaurant in taipei, hahaha
These tomatoes look amazing. Youre page is wonderful I love seeing the different resteraunts and foods that are out there!
I started reading this and thought it could be me. My partner doesn’t like risotto either. Perhaps it’s a Finnish thing?
Hi Sandie-I’m trying to use up what little I have left of my bottle
I think if anything, this is dish on between risotto
and other food. A way for risotto haters to eat it
Hi DessertObsessed-Thankyou so much!
Oh really? That is quite funny, not the usual sort of place you’d expect it 
Hi Emma-Thankyou so much! You are too kind
Hi Julia-Haha perhaps it is a Finnish thing!
“My husband has always disliked risotto. Yes I know, let us all pick up our collective jaws off the ground together.” LOL, I had my mouth open as I read this, then quickly shut it. haha.
I wouldn’t eat the tomatos, but the risotto sounds wonderful
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