Barefoot Contessa Roasted Cherry Tomatoes Recipe

No-Fuss Barefoot Contessa Roasted Cherry Tomatoes Recipe

Barefoot contessa roasted cherry tomatoes transform ordinary ingredients into a culinary experience that tingles your taste buds.

Summer gardens overflow with these tiny crimson jewels, begging for a delectable transformation.

Intense heat coaxes out hidden layers of sweetness and complexity from these small, vibrant fruits.

Robust flavors concentrate and caramelize, creating a rich, mouthwatering accompaniment that elevates simple meals.

Minimal preparation guarantees maximum satisfaction with this incredibly straightforward technique.

Home cooks appreciate how these roasted gems can instantly upgrade salads, pastas, or standalone appetizers.

A handful of quality ingredients and a hot oven are all you need to craft something truly memorable:

Savor the Burst of Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

Savor the Burst of Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
  • Bursting with Flavor: These roasted cherry tomatoes transform from ordinary to extraordinary, developing a deep, concentrated sweetness that intensifies their natural juiciness through the simple magic of high-heat roasting.
  • Effortless Gourmet Experience: With just a few basic ingredients and minimal prep time, you can create a restaurant-quality side dish that looks and tastes impressively sophisticated, making everyone believe you've spent hours in the kitchen.
  • Versatile Culinary Companion: Perfectly adaptable to multiple serving styles, these roasted tomatoes can elevate pasta dishes, top crusty bread, complement grilled meats, or shine as a standalone vegetable side that brings vibrant color and robust flavor to any meal.
  • Quick Weeknight Wonder: Ready in just 20 minutes from start to finish, this recipe offers a speedy solution for home cooks wanting to add excitement to their dinner without complicated techniques or endless chopping.

Key Elements for a Cherry Tomato Feast

Main Ingredients:

Cherry Tomatoes: Sweet and juicy little tomatoes that become intensely flavorful when roasted, best when ripe and firm with bright, glossy skin.

  • Olive Oil: Helps tomatoes roast evenly and adds rich, smooth flavor to the dish.
Seasoning Ingredients:
  • Kosher Salt: Provides basic seasoning and enhances the natural sweetness of tomatoes.
  • Black Pepper: Adds a subtle heat and depth to the roasted tomatoes.
  • Sea Salt or Fleur de Sel: Delicate finishing salt that provides a crisp, clean burst of saltiness.
Herb Ingredient:
  • Fresh Basil: Bright, aromatic herb that adds a fresh, peppery note and beautiful green color to the roasted tomatoes.

Step by Step to Roasted Cherry Tomato Brilliance

Step by Step to Roasted Cherry Tomato Brilliance

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Crank up your oven to a toasty 400°F (200°C). Let it warm up while you get everything else ready.

Step 2: Prepare Tomatoes

Grab a baking sheet and dump your fresh cherry tomatoes onto it. Drizzle with:
  • Olive oil
  • Splash of love

Gently toss the tomatoes to coat them evenly in the golden liquid.

Step 3: Season with Flair

Spread those juicy tomatoes out in a single layer – no crowding allowed! Sprinkle generously with:
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Make sure each tomato gets some seasoning love.

Step 4: Roast to Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the hot oven. Let the tomatoes transform for 15-20 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when they start to look plump and slightly burst, like little flavor bombs ready to explode.

Step 5: Add Fresh Finishing Touch

Once out of the oven, transfer the roasted tomatoes to a beautiful serving dish. Shower them with:
  • Fresh basil leaves
  • Extra pinch of sea salt

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

These roasted tomatoes are amazing warm or at room temperature. Serve as a side, toss with pasta, or just eat straight from the dish. No judgment here!

Insider Hints for Perfectly Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

  • Select Peak-Season Tomatoes: Summer's ripest cherry tomatoes guarantee maximum sweetness and intense roasted flavor.
  • Slice Strategically: Cutting tomatoes in half exposes more surface area, allowing edges to caramelize beautifully while concentrating natural sugars.
  • Drizzle with Premium Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil adds rich, fruity undertones that complement the tomatoes' natural brightness.
  • Season Boldly: Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper unlock deeper flavor profiles and enhance the tomatoes' natural sweetness.
  • Arrange with Breathing Room: Giving each tomato space on the baking sheet ensures crispy edges and prevents soggy, steamed results instead of perfectly roasted gems.

Secrets to Keeping Cherry Tomatoes Fresh

  • Preserve: Transfer roasted cherry tomatoes to glass mason jars with tight-fitting lids, drizzling extra olive oil to cover the tomatoes completely. This method locks in freshness and prevents bacterial growth, extending their shelf life up to 7 days in the refrigerator.
  • Freeze: Pack cooled roasted cherry tomatoes into silicone freezer bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Label each bag with the date and contents. These frozen gems will maintain their intense flavor for 3 months, perfect for adding to winter pasta dishes or soups.
  • Repurpose: Transform leftover roasted cherry tomatoes into a vibrant spread by blending them with fresh basil, garlic, and a splash of balsamic vinegar.

Fun Twists on Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

  • Mediterranean Herb Roast: Enhance the tomatoes by adding dried oregano, thyme, and a sprinkle of za'atar before roasting for a robust Mediterranean flavor profile.
  • Garlic Parmesan Burst: Before roasting, toss cherry tomatoes with minced garlic and grated parmesan cheese, creating a savory and crispy coating that elevates the dish.
  • Balsamic Glazed Version: Drizzle aged balsamic vinegar over the tomatoes after roasting, allowing the rich, sweet-tangy liquid to caramelize and intensify the natural sweetness of the fruit.
  • Spicy Chili Kick: Sprinkle red pepper flakes and a touch of smoked paprika onto the tomatoes before roasting, introducing a warm, spicy undertone that complements the tomatoes' natural sweetness.

The Grand Finale of Cherry Tomato Delicacy

Garden-fresh cherry tomatoes transform into a culinary masterpiece through Ina Garten’s signature roasting technique.

Simple ingredients reveal complex flavor profiles that dance across palates with Mediterranean charm.

Mediterranean kitchens whisper secrets of concentrated sweetness achieved through patient oven roasting.

Fragrant basil leaves scattered atop ruby-red tomatoes create sensory poetry on ceramic plates.

Salt crystals glisten like delicate jewels, enhancing natural tomato richness with subtle mineral notes.

Guests will savor each intensely caramelized morsel, experiencing pure gastronomic pleasure that beckons conversations, connections, and passionate recipe sharing – so grab those ingredients, spread the love, click that share button, and let culinary magic inspire your next kitchen adventure.

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Barefoot Contessa Roasted Cherry Tomatoes Recipe

Barefoot Contessa Roasted Cherry Tomatoes Recipe


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4.5 from 36 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Barefoot Contessa roasted cherry tomatoes offer a Mediterranean-inspired side dish that elevates simple ingredients with intense flavor. Garlic, olive oil, and herbs mingle to create a deliciously caramelized accompaniment you’ll want to serve alongside grilled meats or spread on crusty bread.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 4 pints (2.27 kilograms) cherry tomatoes
  • 20 fresh basil leaves

Primary Seasonings:

  • 34 tablespoons good olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Finishing Touches:

  • Sea salt or fleur de sel (for finishing)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven environment by calibrating the temperature to 200°C (180°C fan) / 400°F, ensuring precise heat distribution for optimal roasting.
  2. Select a clean baking sheet and arrange fresh cherry tomatoes, gently coating them with high-quality extra virgin olive oil to enhance natural flavors.
  3. Carefully distribute tomatoes across the baking sheet in a uniform single layer, allowing each piece maximum exposure to direct heat.
  4. Apply a generous sprinkle of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring even seasoning that will complement the tomatoes’ natural sweetness.
  5. Position the baking sheet in the preheated oven, allowing tomatoes to roast for 15-20 minutes until they develop a soft, slightly blistered exterior and release their aromatic juices.
  6. Once roasted, delicately transfer the tomatoes to an elegant serving dish, maintaining their delicate structure.
  7. Garnish the roasted tomatoes with freshly torn basil leaves, creating a vibrant green contrast against the rich, caramelized red tomatoes.
  8. Complete the dish with a final delicate dusting of flaky sea salt or luxurious fleur de sel to elevate the flavor profile.
  9. Serve immediately while warm or allow to cool to room temperature, presenting a versatile side dish that can complement multiple culinary settings.

Notes

  • Select peak-season tomatoes bursting with vibrant color and firm texture for maximum roasting success.
  • Slice larger tomatoes in half to guarantee uniform cooking and prevent uneven charring.
  • Drizzle premium extra virgin olive oil generously to amplify the tomatoes’ natural sweetness and depth.
  • Sprinkle kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper liberally to enhance the roasted tomatoes’ rich flavor profile.
  • Arrange tomatoes with ample spacing on baking sheet, ensuring each piece caramelizes beautifully without steaming or becoming soggy.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer, Snacks, Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Roasting
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 110
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 85mg
  • Fat: 7g
  • Saturated Fat: 1g
  • Carbohydrates: 9g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg
Isabella Rodriguez

Isabella Rodriguez

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

Pastry Arts and Dessert Innovation, French and European Baking Techniques, Food Writing and Blogging, Culinary Event Planning

Education

Le Cordon Bleu Paris

  • Diploma: Grand Diplôme®
  • Focus: Intensive training in classic French cuisine and pastry techniques, combining the Diplôme de Cuisine and Diplôme de Pâtisserie.

Isabella Rodriguez is the co-founder and pastry chef at wd-50.com. She studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, where she earned the Grand Diplôme®, a top award in both cooking and baking. After working in fancy bakeries and as a personal pastry chef, Isabella now shares her love for desserts in an easy way for home bakers to enjoy.

At wd-50.com, Isabella creates recipes for cookies, cakes, tarts, and more, always with clear steps and helpful tips. She believes baking should be fun, not stressful, and she hopes her recipes bring joy to your kitchen and smiles to your table.

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