# Cooking 101: How Do You Roast Tomatoes?

URL: https://tastessence.com/vegetables-fruit/how-do-you-roast-tomatoes
Category: Vegetables & Fruit
Published: 2020-11-24T13:48:18
Updated: 2020-11-18T13:48:39
When it comes to quick and easy snacks, **you can’t really get better than freshly roasted tomatoes.** Although it is a simple treat to make, first-timers or amateur chefs might need a bit of guidance to answer the question: **“how do you roast tomatoes?”** At Tastessence, we’ve put together this **quick guide to help you find out how to roast tomatoes at home** to enjoy anytime you’d like. Keep reading to learn how to roast tomatoes like a pro. We’ll also share **what type of tomatoes you can use for [roasting and what to eat with this dish](https://tastessence.com/meat/pig-roast-side-dishes).**

## Choose your tomatoes

**As long as your tomatoes are fresh and ripe,** you can’t really go wrong. Any variety should work well in this recipe, so **you can use Roma, cherry, or plum tomatoes -- or [whatever kind you have on hand](https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/types-of-tomatoes).** If you’re making [roasted tomatoes](https://tastessence.com/vegetables-fruit/fire-roasted-tomatoes) as a side dish for a few people, you should be fine with **2-3 pounds of tomatoes.**

## Gather your materials

**Preheat your oven to 400° F and bring together all of your ingredients.** In addition to your tomatoes, you’ll also need a few other things to complete the recipe, such as:

-   2-3 tablespoons of **extra virgin olive oil**
-   2-3 **cloves of garlic** (adjust depending on your preference)
-   One tablespoon of **freshly chopped thyme or basil**
-   **Sea salt** and freshly cracked black pepper (to taste)

Note: There isn’t an exact science to roasting tomatoes, so **you can add and subtract any of the ingredients** to suit your taste preferences.

## Prep the tomatoes

Once you’ve chosen the perfect tomatoes, **you’ll need to get them ready for roasting.** Clean them thoroughly with running water and pat them dry. **Cut your tomatoes into halves or quarters** (depending on how big you’d like them) and throw them into a large mixing bowl. **Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil over the tomatoes** and add the other ingredients on top. **Using tongs or large spoons, gently toss all of the ingredients together** so that your tomatoes are coated with oil, herbs, and salt and pepper.

## Roast your tomatoes

**Dump the contents of your mixing bowl onto a baking sheet** lined with parchment paper, making sure that all of the tomatoes are arranged in a single layer. Put the tray into the oven. **For small tomatoes, 10-20 minutes should be long enough.** Larger tomatoes (like Roma) could take up to 30-40 minutes. Either way, **keep a close eye on them** so they don’t burn or burst.

## Enjoy your delicious dish

With the hard work done, **it’s time to enjoy your roasted tomatoes.** They’re tasty enough to eat on their own or **with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze.** Roasted tomatoes also pair perfectly with a variety of cheeses, including burrata, mozzarella, and parmesan. Tie everything together with **a loaf of freshly baked artisan bread.**  As you can tell, the answer to the question, “how do you roast tomatoes?” isn’t overly complicated. **With a few simple and fresh ingredients,** you can whip up this tasty dish and dig in within just about half an hour. For more cooking ideas and suggestions, [**check out the Tastessence blog.**](https://tastessence.com/)