These Provençal tomatoes (or tomatoes Provençal, if we're being very French about it) are one of the easiest side dishes you'll ever make. Juicy, garlicky, and full of herby flavor, they come together in under 5 minutes and are absolutely delicious with rice, chicken, or crusty bread.
The easiest French tomato side dish you'll make all summer
This is the kind of recipe I make when dinner is already a full situation, the kitchen is a mess, and the laundry has been sitting in the dryer long enough to qualify as a permanent resident. You prep everything in less than 5 minutes, slide the dish into the oven, and let it do its thing while you pretend to be on top of your life.
And the best part? These tomatoes are one of my family's favorite sides. I love serving them with rice and lemon chicken, and honestly… it is heaven on a plate.
Jump to:
- The easiest French tomato side dish you'll make all summer
- What Are Provençal Tomatoes?
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients You'll Need
- The Best Tomatoes to Use
- Fresh Herbs or Dried Herbs?
- Should You Add Breadcrumbs?
- How to Make Provençal Tomatoes
- Tips for the Best Provençal Tomatoes
- How to Serve Them
- Storage and Reheating
- Provençal Tomatoes (Easy French Baked Tomatoes)
What Are Provençal Tomatoes?
Tomatoes Provençal, or tomates à la provençale, are a classic French side dish made with ripe tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, herbs, and a trip through a hot oven.
The flavors are sunny, rustic, and basically a trip to the South of France… minus the flight and the jet lag.
Traditionally, some versions are topped with breadcrumbs for extra texture. I usually skip them because I like to keep this recipe super simple, but you absolutely can add some if you want a little crunch on top.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
1. It takes less than 5 minutes to prep
This is my kind of side dish. Cut, season, drizzle, bake. Done.
2. It tastes like summer
When tomatoes are ripe and sweet, this recipe lets them shine without overcomplicating anything.
3. It is simple but very French
A few everyday ingredients, lots of flavor, zero fuss.
4. It goes with everything
Chicken, grilled meat, fish, rice, pasta, crusty bread… these tomatoes play very well with others.
5. It is busy-mom approved
You pop it in the oven, and while it bakes, you can go fold that laundry that has been waiting for you all afternoon.
Ingredients You'll Need
- ripe tomatoes
- olive oil
- granulated garlic
- dried parsley
- salt
- black pepper
- optional pinch of cayenne pepper
- optional breadcrumbs, for extra crunch
The Best Tomatoes to Use
This recipe is only as good as your tomatoes, so this is not the moment for sad, pale, watery tomatoes.
Look for:
- ripe tomatoes
- firm but not hard
- flavorful summer tomatoes
- medium to large round tomatoes that can be cut neatly in half
The best choice is a tomato that feels heavy for its size and smells like an actual tomato. Revolutionary, I know.
If your tomatoes are bland, this dish will still be fine.
If your tomatoes are ripe and sweet, this dish will be fabulous.
Fresh Herbs or Dried Herbs?
You can absolutely make this recipe with fresh parsley and fresh garlic.
But let me be honest: I am in such a busy season of life right now that I make these with dried herbs and granulated garlic (lots of both!!!), and I feel exactly zero shame about it. I promise you, even this way, it's so, so good.
Because do you know what is better than lovingly chopping herbs while dinner chaos unfolds around you?
Getting a delicious side dish into the oven in under 5 minutes. This is real life, not a Provençal cooking retreat (at least not on a weeknight!).
Should You Add Breadcrumbs?
Traditionally, many versions of tomatoes Provençal include breadcrumbs on top.
I usually make mine without breadcrumbs, because I love the softer, juicier finish and the simplicity of it. But if you like a little extra texture, go ahead and sprinkle some breadcrumbs over the tomatoes before baking.
It is a very good option if you want that golden, slightly crisp top.
How to Make Provençal Tomatoes
Step 1: Preheat the oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F.
Step 2: Cut the tomatoes
Slice the tomatoes in half horizontally and place them cut-side up in a baking dish.
Step 3: Season generously
Sprinkle the tomatoes generously with granulated garlic, dried parsley, salt, and pepper. Add a tiny pinch of cayenne if you want a little heat.
Do not be shy here. Tomatoes can handle it.
Step 4: Drizzle with olive oil
Drizzle olive oil over the top of each tomato half.
Step 5: Bake
Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the tomatoes are soft, juicy, and slightly roasted around the edges.
Tips for the Best Provençal Tomatoes
Use ripe tomatoes
This is the big one. Ripe tomatoes make all the difference.
Season generously
Tomatoes need proper seasoning to really come alive.
Don't drown them in oil
A good drizzle is perfect. You want luscious, not swimming.
Add breadcrumbs only if you want that texture
This recipe works beautifully without them, but they are a lovely optional extra.
Serve warm
These are best served warm, when they are juicy, fragrant, and begging to be spooned over rice.
How to Serve Them
This is one of my favorite summer sides because it goes with so many things.
Here are a few delicious ways to serve Provençal tomatoes:
- with grilled chicken
- with roasted fish
- with simple pasta
- with crusty bread
- with rice
And let me tell you: they are SO good crushed on rice.
I make a lemon chicken, serve it with rice and these Provençal tomatoes, and it is one of those dinners that feels almost suspiciously good for how little effort it took. Bright, savory, juicy, comforting… truly heaven on a plate.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat gently in the microwave or in the oven until warmed through.
They are also delicious the next day spooned over rice. I'm just saying.
And because no French meal is complete without a little something sweet…finish with my caramelized apple cake or my French cherry clafoutis recipes!
Now that you know everything you need, let's get cooking.
You will find the detailed provencal tomatoes recipe just below. And if you make it, come back and tell me everything - your comments and ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ratings truly mean the world to this little blog.
Provençal Tomatoes (Easy French Baked Tomatoes)
Ingredients
- 4 large ripe tomatoes
- 2 to 3 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 to 3 tablespoon granulated garlic
- 3 to 4 dried parsley (or fresh parsley, finely chopped)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: a pinch of cayenne pepper
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).2. Prepare the tomatoes
Wash the tomatoes and cut them in half horizontally.Place them cut-side up in a baking dish.3. Season
Very generoulsy sprinkle each tomato with granulated garlic and dried parsley. Add salt and pepper and a small pinch of cayenne pepper if you like a little heat.4. Add olive oil
Drizzle olive oil over each tomato half.5. Bake
Bake for about 25 to 30 minutes, until the tomatoes are tender, slightly roasted and juicy.
Notes
- Use ripe, flavorful tomatoes for the best result.
- You can use fresh garlic and parsley, but dried versions work perfectly (and save time!).
- If you like a crispy topping, you can add breadcrumbs before baking (optional, not traditional in this version).
- Delicious served with rice, chicken, grilled meat, or fish.
