You’ll love these quick roasted tomatoes with garlic and thyme. Roasted in a high-heated oven until super tender and bursting with intense, concentrated flavor. Make them ahead and use as needed as a delicious vegetarian side; tossed with pasta; or served bruschetta-style like I do below. Heck, they even go well with homemade pita chips.
Read on for tips and watch the video for how to roast tomatoes.
There is not a truly Mediterranean kitchen that doesn’t frequently use tomatoes. Fresh; canned; roasted; stewed, whatever form they come in, tomatoes are a prominent ingredient in Mediterranean cooking and the Mediterranean diet.
Being of Mediterranean blood, I just can’t help but love tomatoes. In my book, there is nothing like biting through a beautiful, perfectly ripe tomato in the summer time–panzanella salad and this Mediterranean tomato salad are two of my favorite ways to enjoy the fresh sweet fruit. If nothing else, I’ll just dress a few tomato slices with a bit of kosher salt and a drizzle of quality Greek extra virgin olive oil. So good!
Then there is roasted tomatoes, intense and bursting with flavor, and a great way to get your tomato fix any time of the year!
You can make oven roasted tomatoes ahead and store them for later use. And even dull winter tomatoes can get a wonderful face-lift when roasted in a high-heated oven.
Why roast tomatoes?
If you haven’t already been roasting your tomatoes, let me give you just a couple more reasons why you should.
- Roasting tomatoes is a sure way to coax out all the flavor. Oven roasted tomatoes are so much more concentrated and intense in flavor, making them useful in so many ways (like with vegan tomato basil soup and more–lots of ideas below). And like I said earlier, when you can’t eat winter tomatoes, roast them for a much tastier option.
- Research shows that cooking tomatoes comes with extra health benefits. Heat processing enhances the nutritional value of tomatoes since it increases the availability of lycopene, one of the main antioxidants in tomatoes.
How to roast tomatoes? The quick way
I’ve always admired people who followed the low-and-slow method for roasting tomatoes. It is a lovely process that can take a whole day to essentially dry the tomatoes into something so sweet akin to candy.
But if you’re anything like me, you may be looking for a faster way that perhaps won’t dry up the tomatoes but will still break them out of their skin, perfectly concentrating their liquid and their sweet flavor. We’re not talking hours here. Just 30 minutes or so in a high-heated oven.
Here is what you do to make my oven roasted tomatoes recipe:
- Set your oven on high heat (mine is set on 450 degrees F).
- Cut the tomatoes in halves or quarters, depending on the size. I used Campari tomatoes here, so they only needed to be halved.
- In a large bowl, toss the tomato halves with a good drizzle of quality extra virgin olive oil, kosher salt and black pepper, a couple of minced garlic cloves, fresh thyme, and spices of your choice (I used 1 teaspoon of sumac and 1/2 teaspoon of Aleppo chile pepper flakes). Using a bowl in this step gives me better leverage to mix the tomatoes until they are well coated.
- Spread the seasoned tomatoes, flesh side facing up, on one large sheet pan (be sure to arrange them in a single layer). Tip: do not line the pan with parchment paper, the tomatoes need to have direct contact with the hot pan.
- Roast for 30 minutes or until the tomatoes are tender and done to your liking.
If you’re serving them right away, feel free to add a few fresh thyme leaves and a garnish of feta cheese (I love the salty, creamy bite it adds). But hold the feta, if you’re planning to save them for later.
Which kind of tomatoes are good for roasting?
Just about any variety of tomatoes can be roasted; although I typically avoid large steak tomatoes. Some good candidates are:
- Campari tomatoes. These are my personal favorite for roasting because they are inherently sweeter
- Roma tomatoes
- Plum tomatoes
- Cherry or grape tomatoes. Can be roasted whole, if you prefer.
With campari, Roma, or plum tomatoes, it’s a good idea to cut them in half. If you use tomatoes that are on the larger side, you may also cut them into quarters for this recipe.
Do you
How to store and use roasted tomatoes
Another beautiful thing about roasted tomatoes is that they will keep well for a good bit. Bring them to room temperature before storing. From there, you have a couple of options:
- In the fridge: Store in a tight-lid mason jar with their juices in the fridge for 3 to 5 days.
- In the freezer: Transfer to freezer-safe bags or freezer-safe containers and freeze for 4 months or so.
I love the idea of stocking up on summer tomatoes and roasting several batches to freeze to use during the winter months!
Ways to use your roasted tomatoes
The possibilities are endless! Use them as a simple side, served hot or at room temperature with a little pesto or dukkah to finish. As an appetizer, piled up over toast or crostini for the perfect bruschetta. Toss them in pasta (if you don’t feel like making spaghetti sauce). Add them to a hearty stew or something like this vegetarian lentil soup!
Maybe your next recipe will be this creamy vegan roasted tomato basil soup! You’ll love the balance of flavors, plus because it does not contain cream, it’s a tomato soup that you can freeze for later!
Similar recipes to try
Italian Skillet Chicken with Tomatoes and Mushrooms
Greek Stuffed Tomatoes: Gemista
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Quick Oven Roasted Tomatoes Recipe
Equipment
- Large sheet pan
Ingredients
- 2 lb Smaller Tomatoes, halved (I used Campari tomatoes)
- 2 to 3 garlic cloves, minced
- Kosher salt and black pepper
- 2 tsp fresh thyme, stems removed
- 1 tsp sumac
- 1/2 tsp dry chili pepper flakes, I used Aleppo Pepper which is milder
- Extra virgin olive oil, I used Private Reserve Greek extra virgin olive oil
- Crumbled feta cheese, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
- Place the tomato halves in a large mixing bowl. Add minced garlic, salt, pepper, fresh thyme, and spices. Drizzle a generous amount, about 1/4 cup or more, quality extra virgin olive. Toss to coat.
- Transfer the tomatoes to a baking sheet with a rim. Spread the tomatoes in one single layer, flesh side up.
- Roast in your heated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until the tomatoes have collapsed to your desired doneness.
- Remove from heat. If you are planning to serve it soon, feel free to garnish with more fresh thyme and a few sprinkles of feta cheese. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Video
Notes
- What kind of tomatoes to use? You can use a different tomato variety in this recipe. I typically avoid using larger steak tomatoes, but you can use Roma tomatoes, smaller vine-ripe tomatoes and the like. Just be sure to cut them in halves or quarters as needed depending on their size. If you use smaller tomatoes such as cherry or grape tomatoes, you can leave them whole or you can also reduce the oven heat to 400 degrees F for those.
- Make extra to store. You can simply double or triple this recipe if you plan on storing the roasted tomatoes for later use. You may need to go a little bit longer in the oven, just watch for the tomatoes to get super tender and begin to release their juices.
- How to store. Do not add the feta cheese if you plan to store the roasted tomatoes for later. Bring them to room temperature and store in fridge in a tight-lid mason jar for 3 to 5 days. You can also freeze them in freezer bags for up to 4 months! Thaw in fridge overnight before use.
- Visit our Shop to browse quality Mediterranean ingredients including olive oils and spices used in this recipe.
Nutrition
*This post first appeared on The Mediterranean Dish in 2015 and has been recently updated with new information and media for readers’ benefit
This is a great recipe! The fragrance as they cooked floated
towards my neighbors who were drooling. The only time consuming part for me is preparing the thyme, but that is me. Fresh thyme is so good 😊. I also topped the tomatoes with diced mozzarella, simply because I needed ato use it. With or without the cheese they are addictive
Hi, I love this recipe of roasting the tomatoes. Question, if I want to jar them and gift them to friends and family, what do you recommend for an extended shelf life? Should I put them in a sterilized jar and top up with oil? Thanks!
Hi, Emma. I don’t have experience with canning for an extended shelf life, so I’m not able to advise on this, I’m sorry. Sounds like a nice idea, though!!!
Thank you for sharing this recipe. I roast veggies all the time but never added tomatoes. I had a couple pounds of camparis that I needed to use and all the other ingredients as well so I tried these. They are amazing! I’m so happy they can be frozen – tomato season is winding down here in NJ so I’ll be out this weekend buying all I can get and making these to use all winter. I like stewed tomatos on my mac and cheese and these will be a perfect substitute, as well as pasta, pizza, omelettes, bruschetta, etc., etc. SO verstaile and delicious! The Sumac and Aleppo, along with the thyme and garlic really make them pop! Yum! Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed the recipe, Sue!
I made these today and they were so delicious 🤤🤤
I made these with a mix of cherry, Campari and Roma tomatoes and they were delicious. Because there is only 2 of us I didn’t want to make a huge batch. So, I put them in an 8×8 disposable cake pan, cooked them in my air fryer oven! I started at 430 degrees (highest it would go) and gradually adjusted the temperature down to keep them from charring. It worked great and is a definite keeper recipe. Thank you!
Thanks, Anita!
thanks for that air fryer tip!
This recipe seems just the thing. But any suggestions on making the clean-up easier? Without parchment, it takes forever to scrub the pans.
Hi, Nancy. Brushing a thin layer of olive oil on the bottom of the pan may help with this issue.
Fantastic Roasted Tomato’s. I made them just the way Suzy suggested and they are delicious!
This morning with my leftover tomatoes, I added them to scrambled eggs topped with a little parmigiana cheese. My new favorite roasted tomato recipe!!
Ooo! That sounds fabulous! Thanks, Lynne!
I have an abundance of saladette tomatoes, about the size of a golf ball. I also have a wonderful crop of thyme , problem solved as to what to do with them…. I did add my own garlic and onions…as far as freezing them i found that if i take both small and large muffin tins, lined with the cupcake or muffin papers and freeze them in this the vacuum seal in an assortment of sizes next winter is great. to add to soup, stew, sauce and oh yeah use as a tapenade… it works great!
This is my absolute favorite way to use the tomatoes I get from my plant! The skin comes off easily and I mash them slightly and toss them with pasta, mix in my dishes, or just have them on toasted Italian bread. So good!!!
Thanks, Nena!
Absolutely great. Much more efficient than slow roasting and great results. Definitely keep an eye on them in the final 10 minutes. Used garlic, fresh oregano, thyme and basil from my tiny garden. Very satisfied with the results 🍝
Did you ever add chopped onion as well as garlic?
I haven’t, but that should work just fine.
Made these last night. A total hit! I served these with toasted French baguette slices and the feta spread with olive oil and nuts. Our guests raves about it!
YUM! So glad everyone loved it!
Love the idea of doing it fast and it looks delicious indeed ! Trying it this weekend.
Hope you enjoyed it, Adriana!
My tomato plants went crazy this month. I picked about 6lbs last week and 25lbs this week. So when life gives me tomatoes… I make tomato sauce. To shake it up a bit I used your recipe for the last batch. Wow! This is amazing. I think next week (when I undoubtedly will have another boat load of tomatoes) I will make this recipe and just jar them! Thank you!
My tomato plants went crazy this month. I picked about 6lbs last week and 25lbs this week. So when life gives me tomatoes… I make tomato sauce. To shake it up a bit I used your recipe for the last batch. Wow! This is amazing. I think next week (when I undoubtedly will have another boat load of tomatoes) I will make this recipe and just jar them! Thank you!
Yay!! I LOVE tomato season!
I’ve only just seen this recipe 😮😮…DEFINITELY going to try this one this summer.. I’m drooling just thinking about it..
Suzy, your recipes are always awesome!!!
I can’t wait to try these tomatoes on some artisan bread!!!
Mmmmm! Sounds wonderful!! Enjoy!