Scalloped Tomatoes are a classic southern dish. I remember my grandmother making this when I was a child. It is known by other names that include stewed tomatoes, breaded tomatoes and tomato pudding with recipes that vary a little between each version.
Basically they’re pretty much the same concept of a tomato and bread casserole dish. The recipe is known to date back as far as the 1820’s.
I am not an expert on the matter of how this dish came to be, but I would assume it came out of making the most of what you had and not being wasteful with food by using up old bread and a making use of a bountiful tomato harvest.
My grandmother had no set recipe and would use old bread or biscuits that were on hand to make her recipe.
I remember growing up that everyone had a vegetable garden during the season. Of course grocery stores weren’t the super sized markets they are today. The earliest grocery stores that I remember were no bigger than today’s convenience stores so people still grew some of the food they ate.
Canned tomatoes, store bought or homemade, are perfectly acceptable to use in this dish if fresh local tomatoes are not in season.
As I mentioned above, there are variations of this dish, as there are with all recipes. I’ve seen a lot of recipes that include sugar although I don’t find it necessary. I am by no means contradicting how your grandmother or mother may have made it. We all know they are the best cooks.
My version, in my opinion, tastes like what I remember as a child – with no sugar added.
So, here’s how I make it…………
Ingredients
Tomato and Bread Pudding
- 2 28 oz Cans Diced Tomatoes ? (or 6 c Diced Fresh Tomatoes)
- 14 oz Brioche Loaf, cut into cubes (8-10 cups)
- 2 Eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
- 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
- 1 c Grated Parmesan Cheese, divided
Preheat oven to 350℉
Add diced tomatoes to a mixing bowl along with beaten eggs, salt, pepper and onion powder. Stir to combine.
Add in 3/4 of the Parmesan cheese and bread cubes, reserving a handful of the bread cubes for topping. Stir to combine.
Pour mixture into a baking dish.
Top with remaining bread cubes and Parmesan cheese.
Bake for 30 minutes until hot and bubbly.
Old Fashioned Baked Tomatoes
Old Fashioned Scalloped Tomatoes
Baked Breaded Tomatoes
Scalloped Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 2 28 oz Cans Diced Tomatoes or 6 c Diced Fresh Tomatoes
- 14 oz Brioche Loaf cut into cubes (8-10 cups)
- 2 Eggs lightly beaten
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
- 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
- 1 c Grated Parmesan Cheese divided
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉
- Add diced tomatoes to a mixing bowl along with beaten eggs, salt, pepper and onion powder. Stir to combine.
- Add in 3/4 of the Parmesan cheese and bread cubes, reserving a handful of the bread cubes for topping. Stir to combine.
- Pour mixture into a baking dish.
- Top with remaining bread cubes and Parmesan cheese.
- Bake for 30 minutes until hot and bubbly.
Nutrition
About Julia
Hey Y’all! I’m Julia, the cook and writer behind the recipes here at Julia’s Simply Southern. I began my website so that I could share easy to follow recipes that anyone can use to put a home cooked meal on the dinner table. Thanks so much for stopping by!
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Captain Pete
Thursday 8th of October 2020
Growing up in New England one grandfather a fisherman one a dairy farmer there was plenty of food but not a lot of variety we had tomato dishes like this every day when the garden harvest was ready often we went to the river and collected scallops or flounders to add into the casserole. Then after all the canning was done we ate stewed tom seems every day with all the fish the winter brought us. We did not know we didn't have much money until after church on Sundays we were not allowed shakes because that was an extra $.37 a kid
Julia Jordan
Thursday 8th of October 2020
Thank you for sharing your story. I think folks did a much better job of getting by back then and good life lessons were learned.
Cathy Fenter
Wednesday 28th of March 2018
Love the recipe! But also love the dinner plate, where can I find?
Julia Jordan
Wednesday 28th of March 2018
Cathy, Thank you. That plate was from the Pioneer Woman collection a few years ago. I'm not sure if it's still available but you can check at Wal Mart :)
butterbasilandbreadcrumbs
Saturday 12th of August 2017
This looks fabulous! I think I agree that no sugar is necessary, as tomatoes take on that natural sweetness when cooked. I can honestly taste this just by looking at your gorgeous photos! Recipe is all printed and ready to go! ❤️
Julia
Wednesday 23rd of August 2017
Thank you :)
Miz Helen
Tuesday 11th of April 2017
When my garden tomatoes are ready I need to make some scalloped tomatoes, this sounds really good. Thanks so much for sharing your delicious recipe with us at Full Plate Thursday!Miz Helen
Alison's Allspice
Friday 7th of April 2017
I have never heard of scalloped tomatoes, this looks delicious! Pinning for later, Thanks!
Julia's Simply Southern
Saturday 8th of April 2017
I hope you enjoy it Alison!