Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
Roasted cherry tomatoes are sweet, juicy, garlicky, and one of the easiest ways to turn fresh tomatoes into a flavorful topping, side dish, or quick sauce. When cherry tomatoes roast in the oven, they soften, blister, and release their juices, creating a rich tomato flavor that tastes amazing with pasta, toast, eggs, chicken, fish, salads, pizza, and grain bowls.
This roasted cherry tomatoes recipe uses simple ingredients: cherry tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, and herbs. You can keep them basic or add basil, oregano, thyme, balsamic vinegar, parmesan, red pepper flakes, or fresh mozzarella after roasting.
Roasting makes cherry tomatoes even sweeter and more flavorful. It is also a perfect way to use tomatoes that are starting to soften. Instead of letting them go to waste, roast them into a juicy, jammy topping you can use all week.
Why You’ll Love These Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
You will love roasted cherry tomatoes because they are simple, colorful, and packed with flavor. The oven does most of the work, and the tomatoes become sweet, saucy, and slightly caramelized.
They are also very flexible. You can serve them warm, room temperature, or chilled. Use them as a side dish, pasta sauce, toast topping, salad add-in, pizza topping, or spooned over protein.
Another reason this recipe works so well is that it only needs a few ingredients. Even basic cherry tomatoes taste better after roasting with olive oil and garlic.
Ingredients
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced or minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, optional
- Fresh basil, optional for serving
- Parmesan cheese, optional for serving
Ingredient Notes
Cherry tomatoes are the main ingredient. Red, yellow, orange, or mixed-color cherry tomatoes all work well.
Olive oil helps the tomatoes blister and creates a flavorful sauce in the pan.
Garlic adds rich savory flavor. Use fresh garlic for the best taste.
Salt brings out the sweetness of the tomatoes.
Black pepper adds light heat.
Oregano or Italian seasoning gives the tomatoes a classic Mediterranean flavor.
Balsamic vinegar is optional, but it adds sweetness and tang.
Fresh basil and parmesan are optional finishing touches.
How To Make Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
Step 1: Prepare The Tomatoes
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Wash and dry the cherry tomatoes. Cut larger tomatoes in half if desired, or leave them whole for a juicier roasted texture.
Step 2: Season
Add cherry tomatoes to a baking dish or sheet pan.
Drizzle with olive oil. Add garlic, salt, pepper, and oregano.
Toss until the tomatoes are evenly coated.
Step 3: Roast
Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the tomatoes are soft, blistered, and juicy.
For deeper caramelized flavor, roast for 30 minutes.
Step 4: Finish
Remove from the oven and add balsamic vinegar if using.
Top with fresh basil or parmesan if desired.
Step 5: Serve
Serve roasted cherry tomatoes with pasta, toast, eggs, chicken, fish, salads, pizza, rice bowls, or crusty bread.
Tips For The Best Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
Use a rimmed baking sheet or baking dish so the juices do not spill.
Do not overcrowd the pan if you want more caramelization.
Use enough olive oil to coat the tomatoes well.
Roast until the skins blister and the juices collect in the pan.
Add fresh herbs after roasting so they stay bright.
If serving with pasta, save the tomato juices because they help make a light sauce.
Best Ways To Use Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
Roasted cherry tomatoes are delicious with:
- Pasta
- Toast
- Garlic bread
- Scrambled eggs
- Omelets
- Pizza
- Grilled chicken
- Salmon
- Shrimp
- Steak
- Rice bowls
- Grain bowls
- Salads
- Hummus bowls
- Burrata
- Mozzarella
- Feta
- Roasted vegetables
- Sandwiches
Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta
To make roasted cherry tomato pasta, roast the tomatoes with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Toss the roasted tomatoes and pan juices with hot pasta, parmesan, basil, and a splash of pasta water.
Add mozzarella, grilled chicken, shrimp, spinach, or red pepper flakes if desired.
Roasted Cherry Tomato Toast
Spread ricotta, cream cheese, goat cheese, avocado, or hummus on toasted bread. Spoon roasted cherry tomatoes on top with basil, black pepper, and balsamic glaze.
This makes a quick breakfast, lunch, snack, or appetizer.
Roasted Cherry Tomato Variations
Garlic Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
Add extra garlic for a stronger savory flavor.
Balsamic Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
Add balsamic vinegar before or after roasting for a tangy-sweet finish.
Spicy Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
Add red pepper flakes before roasting.
Herb Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
Use thyme, oregano, rosemary, basil, or Italian seasoning.
Roasted Cherry Tomatoes With Feta
Roast tomatoes with a block of feta in the center of the dish, then mix into a creamy sauce.
Roasted Cherry Tomatoes With Mozzarella
Add fresh mozzarella after roasting for a caprese-style dish.
How To Store Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Keep the tomato juices and olive oil because they are full of flavor.
Reheat gently in the microwave, on the stovetop, or in the oven.
You can also serve leftovers cold or room temperature.
Can You Freeze Roasted Cherry Tomatoes?
Yes. Let the roasted tomatoes cool completely, then freeze them in a freezer-safe container.
Freeze for up to 3 months.
Thawed roasted tomatoes are best for pasta, soups, sauces, stews, and cooked dishes.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
Do not roast wet tomatoes. Dry them first so they roast better.
Do not forget salt. It helps the tomatoes taste sweeter.
Do not throw away the pan juices.
Do not overfill the pan if you want the tomatoes to caramelize.
Do not add delicate fresh basil before roasting because it can darken.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I roast cherry tomatoes whole or cut?
Both work. Whole cherry tomatoes become juicy and burst in the oven. Halved tomatoes roast faster and release more sauce.
What temperature is best?
400°F is a good temperature for juicy roasted tomatoes with blistered skins.
How long do cherry tomatoes take to roast?
They usually take 20 to 25 minutes. Roast longer if you want deeper caramelization.
Can I use grape tomatoes?
Yes. Grape tomatoes work well too.
Are roasted cherry tomatoes good cold?
Yes. They taste great cold or room temperature in salads, sandwiches, toast, and pasta salad.
Recipe Card
Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
These roasted cherry tomatoes are sweet, garlicky, juicy, and easy to make with olive oil, garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper.
Prep Time
5 minutes
Cook Time
25 minutes
Total Time
30 minutes
Servings
4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced or minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, optional
- Fresh basil, optional
- Parmesan cheese, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Wash and dry cherry tomatoes.
- Add tomatoes to a baking dish or sheet pan.
- Drizzle with olive oil.
- Add garlic, salt, pepper, and oregano.
- Toss until evenly coated.
- Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, until soft, blistered, and juicy.
- Add balsamic vinegar if using.
- Top with fresh basil or parmesan if desired.
- Serve with pasta, toast, eggs, chicken, fish, salads, or bread.
Notes
For extra saucy tomatoes, roast them in a baking dish. For more caramelization, use a sheet pan and avoid overcrowding. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Final Thoughts
Roasted cherry tomatoes are one of the easiest ways to make fresh tomatoes taste sweeter, richer, and more flavorful. With olive oil, garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper, they turn into a juicy topping or quick sauce that works with almost anything.
Save this recipe for pasta nights, toast, salads, eggs, chicken, fish, pizza, and simple summer side dishes.
