Southern Scalloped Tomatoes – A Simple Microwave Scalloped Tomatoes Recipe

Southern Scalloped Tomatoes is a fresh tomato casserole recipe with Parmesan cheese giving it a delicious twist on a classic dish, and it is all done in the microwave.

This is a great summer recipe as it uses several tomatoes which are always plentiful during the warmer months and the dish is cooked in the microwave oven which helps keep the house cool.

Southern Scalloped Tomatoes Recipe

Think of this beautiful, old fashioned scalloped tomato recipe as a cheesy tomato casserole.  It could really be called a Parmesan Scalloped Tomato Recipe because the small amount of Parmesan cheese packs a big hit of flavor.

I’ve been making Old Fashioned Stewed Tomatoes for years with the fresh tomatoes from my garden.  I love that recipe to the core with its sweet tomato flavor.

But, I also like this Southern Scalloped Tomato recipe from a 1988 Shelby County Extension Homemakers Cook Book. I like how the ingredients are so similar but the flavor is vastly different with the addition of Parmesan cheese.

I also like that this is a Scalloped Tomato recipe in the microwave.  I’m not above using the microwave. I actually prefer it in the summer when tomatoes are ripe.  It keeps the kitchen from getting too hot, and it frees up space in the oven or on the stove. If you do not want to bake, do this instead.

I love fixing asparagus in the microwave. Check out our perfect microwave asparagus recipe.

Ingredient List for Southern Scalloped Tomatoes

Fresh Tomatoes

Butter

Onions, diced

Soft Bread Crumbs

Salt and Black Pepper

Parmesan Cheese

Garlic Powder

Dried Basil

Sugar

How to Make Scalloped Tomatoes in the Microwave

Step By Step Instructions

1. Microwave diced onions and butter for 2 minutes.
2. To the butter mixture, add soft bread crumbs, dried basil, salt, pepper, Parmesan cheese, sugar, and garlic powder and mix.
3. Spray a baking dish (or casserole dish) with nonstick spray.
4. Layer 1/3 thinly sliced tomatoes, 1/3 bread crumb mixture and then repeat until you have three layers, ending with bread crumbs.
5. Press wax paper on top of tomato casserole. Leave it on while microwaving.
6. Microwave on high 4 – 8 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
7. Let stand 3-5 minutes before serving.

For the full instructions and ingredient amounts for Microwave Scalloped Tomatoes, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. 

What are soft bread crumbs?

If you’ve ever seen a recipe calling for soft bread crumbs, you may be wondering what that refers to.  Soft bread crumbs are made from leftover loaf bread, French bread, hot dog or hamburger buns.  Either place the bread in a food processor and give a quick buzz, or gently tear with your hands. You could cut into small bread cubes too.

The key is to use the bread crumbs while they are still soft as opposed to letting them dry out.

A 1-ounce slice of bread or bun makes approximately 1/2 cup of soft bread crumbs.

Recipe FAQs

• This is a scalloped fresh tomato recipe, do not use canned tomatoes.
• Use margarine instead of butter, if desired.
• This is a great way to use up leftover bread or buns.  Tear the leftover buns into pieces and use as soft bread crumbs.  Use approximately 2 slices of bread or one whole hamburger bun.
• I used grated Parmesan but shredded Parmesan would work too.
• Be sure to let the scalloped tomatoes with bread crumbs stand for several minutes before serving. This will help the juices stay in the casserole.
• Check out our Amazon Store for some of our favorite kitchen gadgets and pantry items.

Recipe Variations

• Instead of using soft bread crumbs, try crushed crackers such as Saltine crackers.
• Fried bacon bits would taste awesome.
• Swap onions for onion powder.
• For heat, add a dash of Tabasco.
• Love cheese, top with your favorite shredded variety such as cheddar cheese.

Old Fashioned Southern Recipes

Southern Sweet Chocolate Pie

Southern Pinto Beans and Sausage

Sweet Southern Lima Bean Casserole

Kentucky Yellow Squash Casserole

Southern Vegetable Salad

Collard Greens and Bean Soup