Easy Roasted Cherry Tomatoes – plant-based on a budget

Oven roasted cherry tomatoes with garlic, balsamic and herbs

There isn’t a vegetable that pops out of our heads that doesn’t benefit from roasting. While roasting asparagus, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts can help bring out their flavor and add a subtle caramelization and crunch, the transformation between raw and oven-roasted tomatoes is mind-blowing.

Why? Because roasting cherry tomatoes is the perfect way to bring out their natural sweetness and cook away some of the liquid for a concentrated flavor that turns them into tender, tangy bites that are literally bursting with flavor. Even your vegetarian-cautious family members might enjoy these.

Combined with garlic, fresh herbs, and balsamic vinegar, these baked cherry tomatoes may even dwarf the rest of your breakfast, brunch, and dinner table! Whether you have a ton of tomatoes to use, or you’re looking for a way to bring out of season or some stale tomatoes back to life, get ready to fall in love with these Roasted Cherry Tomatoes with Garlic and Balsamic Vinegar!

The ingredients

• Tomatoes: While we’ve focused on cherry tomatoes this time, you can use this method for roasted grape tomatoes, mini plum tomatoes, and other similarly sized mini tomatoes.
• Olive oil: Use extra virgin olive oil whenever possible as the combination of EVOO and tomato increases the absorption of nutrients and antioxidants.
• Garlic: Don’t be shy with the garlic cloves. Roasting softens their flavor.
• Fresh herbs: We used a combination of chopped basil and Italian parsley, but you could use just one. Other herbs that pair well with baked cherry tomatoes include thyme, rosemary, or even dried Italian spices.
• Spices: All you need is a little sea salt to bring out the flavor of the baked cherry tomatoes. Add red pepper flakes for some spice if you prefer.
• Balsamic vinegar: Roasted balsamic tomatoes are heavenly. The vinegar will caramelize and sweeten in the oven while imparting a bright flavor and depth. However, omit the vinegar if you prefer.

What else can I add to Oven Roasted Tomatoes?

You can add the Roasted Cherry Tomatoes recipe in a number of ways, including:

• Black pepper – for seasoning
• Paprika – finely chopped for extra flavor
• Pitted black olives
• Nutritional Yeast (or a shredable Vegan Parmesan) – for a “cheesy” flavor

How to roast cherry tomatoes

Follow just four no-fuss steps for this Roasted Cherry Tomatoes recipe.

• 1) First, preheat the oven to 375F/190C and prepare either a parchment-lined baking sheet or high-sided baking pan.
• 2) Meanwhile, halve the tomatoes (or leave them whole), chop or chop the garlic and chop the fresh herbs (reserve some to garnish the roasted cherry tomatoes).
• 3) Place all ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix well.

• 4) Pour onto the prepared baking sheet in a single layer and roast the cherry tomatoes in the oven for 25 minutes until tender.

What to serve with roasted cherry tomatoes?

There are dozens of ways to enjoy oven-roasted cherry tomatoes warm or at room temperature. It has become one of our favorite side dishes, found with almost every meal. We especially like these roasted balsamic tomatoes with:

• Focaccia or crusty bread – for dipping/spreading, like a bruschetta appetizer
• About Avocado Toast
• Via pasta (like pesto pasta) or zoodles
• With rice and risotto
• With hearty oatmeal or polenta
• In vegan sandwiches, wraps and burgers
• In addition to scrambled tofu, in vegan omelettes, hearty crêpes etc.
• Process into a pasta sauce
• Add to salads – like caprese lettuce, leaf lettuce and buddha bowls
• Use to garnish hummus, white bean dip, and other dips