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Blistered Roasted Cherry Tomatoes for Pasta

Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

Tender, juicy cherry tomatoes roasted with garlic, herbs, and balsamic vinegar, then topped with creamy feta and fresh basil. A simple and flavourful side dish or appetiser.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 230

Ingredients
  

  • 500 g cherry tomatoes on or off the vine
  • 4 cloves of garlic thinly sliced
  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 4-5 sprigs of fresh thyme
  • ½ tsp sea salt
  • ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 100 g feta cheese crumbled
  • A small handful of fresh basil leaves to garnish

Method
 

  1. Preheat Your Oven: First things first, get your oven preheating to 200°C (180°C fan). Place a rack in the middle of the oven.
  2. Prepare the Tomatoes: Wash and dry your cherry tomatoes. If any are particularly large, you can slice them in half, but I prefer to leave them whole for that lovely bursting texture. Place them in a medium-sized mixing bowl.
  3. Add Flavourings: Add the thinly sliced garlic, extra virgin olive oil, dried oregano, fresh thyme sprigs, sea salt, and black pepper to the bowl with the tomatoes.
  4. Toss Everything Together: Gently toss everything together until the tomatoes are evenly coated in the oil and seasonings. I find that using my hands is the best way to ensure every single tomato gets a good coating.
  5. Arrange on a Baking Tray: Tip the tomato mixture onto a large, rimmed baking tray. Spread them out in a single layer, ensuring they aren't overcrowded. This is crucial for getting a good roast.
  6. First Roast: Place the tray in the preheated oven and roast for 15-20 minutes. You'll see the tomatoes starting to soften and their skins beginning to wrinkle and blister.
  7. Add the Balsamic Vinegar: Carefully remove the tray from the oven. Drizzle the balsamic vinegar over the tomatoes and give the tray a gentle shake to distribute it evenly.
  8. Final Roast: Return the tray to the oven and roast for another 5-10 minutes. The tomatoes should be tender, slightly caramelised at the edges, and some will have burst, releasing their juices to create a light sauce in the pan.
  9. Finish and Serve: Remove from the oven. Let them cool for a minute or two on the tray. To serve, transfer the roasted cherry tomatoes and all the lovely pan juices to a serving dish. Crumble the feta cheese over the top and scatter with fresh basil leaves. Serve warm.

Notes

Delicious served warm as a side, spooned over toasted bread, or tossed with pasta.