Description
Garlic roasted cherry tomatoes elevate simple ingredients into a Mediterranean-inspired side dish. Caramelized edges and intense herb flavors make this quick recipe perfect for pasta, salads, or bread accompaniments.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pints (about 4 cups) cherry or grape tomatoes (halved)
- 3 tbsps olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic (minced or thinly sliced)
- 1 tsp dried oregano (or 1 tablespoon fresh, chopped)
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar (for extra depth, optional but recommended)
- ¼ cup fresh basil or parsley (chopped)
Instructions
- Preparation: Slice cherry tomatoes in half, exposing their juicy cores and creating an ideal surface for roasting.
- Marinade Creation: Whisk together minced garlic, olive oil, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes in a large mixing bowl, crafting an intensely aromatic seasoning blend.
- Coating Process: Gently fold halved tomatoes into the marinade, ensuring each piece is thoroughly and evenly coated with the herbal and spicy mixture.
- Roasting Setup: Spread tomatoes cut-side up on a parchment-lined baking sheet, positioning them with sufficient spacing to promote uniform caramelization.
- Oven Transformation: Roast in a preheated oven at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, monitoring until tomatoes develop deep golden edges and a slightly shriveled texture, concentrating their natural sweetness.
- Finishing Touches: Remove from oven and drizzle with balsamic vinegar, gently tossing to integrate the tangy glaze, then garnish with freshly chopped basil or parsley to introduce a vibrant, herbaceous layer.
- Serving Suggestions: Present these intensely flavored roasted tomatoes as a versatile accompaniment to pasta, bruschetta, grilled proteins, or as a standalone salad component.
Notes
- Tomato Selection: Choose ripe, uniformly sized cherry tomatoes for consistent roasting and maximum flavor concentration.
- Marinade Mixing: Whisk marinade ingredients thoroughly to ensure even distribution of garlic, herbs, and spices across tomato surfaces.
- Roasting Positioning: Space tomatoes evenly on baking sheet to allow proper caramelization and prevent steaming, which reduces flavor intensity.
- Temperature Control: Watch tomatoes closely during final roasting minutes to prevent burning, aiming for golden edges and slight wrinkling.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg