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**The Authentic Stuffed Tomatoes: A Delicious and Flavorful Delight**
In this article, we’ll take you through a simple yet authentic recipe for stuffed tomatoes, showcasing how to elevate this classic dish with the perfect stuffing. Get ready to make a dish that will wow your taste buds and impress anyone you serve it to.
### Ingredients for Authentic Stuffed Tomatoes
For the stuffing:
– 1/2 cup cooked rice (you can use white, brown, or wild rice)
– 1/2 lb ground beef or lamb (you can substitute with ground turkey or vegetarian protein)
– 1 small onion, finely chopped
– 2 garlic cloves, minced
– 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (or a mix of Parmesan and mozzarella)
– 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
– 1 teaspoon dried oregano or basil
– 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
– 1 tablespoon olive oil (for sautéing)
– Salt and pepper, to taste
For the sauce:
– 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
– 1 teaspoon dried oregano
– Salt and pepper, to taste
#### 1. **Prepare the Tomatoes**
Start by carefully washing the tomatoes and cutting off the tops. Use a spoon or melon baller to scoop out the seeds and flesh from inside the tomatoes, leaving the outer walls intact. Set the hollowed-out tomatoes aside, reserving the tomato flesh for the sauce (if desired).
#### 2. **Prepare the Stuffing**
Heat **1 tablespoon of olive oil** in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped **onion** and **garlic**, and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Add the **cooked rice** to the skillet with the meat mixture, followed by the **grated Parmesan cheese** and **fresh parsley**. Stir everything together until the mixture is well-combined. Taste the filling and adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper, and additional oregano or basil as needed.
#### 3. **Stuff the Tomatoes**
Preheat your oven to **375°F (190°C)**. Lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil.
Place the stuffed tomatoes in the prepared baking dish, ensuring they are standing upright.
#### 4. **Make the Tomato Sauce**
In a separate saucepan, heat **1 tablespoon of olive oil** over medium heat. Add the **crushed tomatoes** (and reserved tomato flesh if desired) along with **oregano**, **salt**, **pepper**, and a pinch of **sugar** (to balance acidity). Stir and simmer for about 10 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.