Oven Roasted Tomatoes (w/ 10+ Variations!)

Oven roasted tomatoes can elevate nearly any dish that calls for tomato, cooked or raw. This is the base recipe for how to roast tomatoes in the oven. From there, we have over 10 variations to customize the recipe to fit your needs.

overhead shot of oven roasted tomatoes on sheet pan


 

While many grocery stores carry roasted tomatoes around or even in their olive bars, homemade still reigns king. I’ve even seen them commercially packaged in a glass jar in the Italian aisle. These are great for when you need them in a pinch, but homemade will also taste better — and there’s a wide variety of variations for personal preference.

Best Tomatoes for Roasting

There is no wrong answer, here! Nearly any of the 100+ varieties of tomatoes can be roasted, however it is most common to see these.

  • Roma – With their rich, concentrated flavor, Roma tomatoes (also known as plum tomatoes) only get even more flavorful when roasting. Their thick skins also help them keep their shape when roasted and prevent them from becoming mushy.
  • Campari – The firmness of Campari tomatoes makes them ideal for roasting and their sweet flavor deepens during the roasting process. Their vibrant color also enhances any dish they’re added to.
  • Cherry or Grape – Since these tomatoes are smaller than others, they are easy to roast whole and their uniform size means they’ll roast evenly. Their size also helps them to roast quickly and they have an ideal amount of moisture which means they won’t become overly watery when roasted.
  • Yellow – These milder tomatoes are less acidic than red tomatoes and they have a natural sweetness that is enhanced when they’re roasted. They also add striking color to any dish they’re added to.

But my favorite is to use a blend. I like to see differences in color, texture, and flavor.

overhead shot of tomatoes, cheese and balsamic on crostini

Ingredients for Oven Roasted Tomatoes

With only four simple ingredients, this oven roasted tomatoes recipe couldn’t be any easier!

  • Roma Tomatoes – Before roasting, quarter the tomatoes and remove the pulp and seeds. If you’re using a smaller variety like grape or cherry tomatoes, they can be roasted whole. 
  • Yellow Grape Tomatoes – These will add a vibrant contrast to the red Roma tomatoes and a sweet flavor to the medley. 
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Since there are so few ingredients, it’s crucial to use high-quality olive oil for the best flavor. 
  • Coarse Kosher Salt – Salt helps to bring out the sweetness of the tomatoes. You can choose other varieties of salt, too, if you prefer.
overhead shot of tomatoes and salt in bowl

How to Make Oven Roasted Tomatoes

Once you see how easy it is to make these tomatoes, you’re going to want to make them part of your regular recipe rotation.

  1. Slice tomatoes. After slicing the Roma tomatoes, put them in a large mixing bowl with the yellow tomatoes. 
  2. Add olive oil and salt. Pour the olive oil over the tomatoes and stir to coat. Add the salt and stir again. 
  3. Roast. Place the tomatoes in a single layer on the prepared rimmed baking sheet. Roast for the recommended time.
  4. Remove from oven and serve. Once browned, remove the tomatoes from the oven. Serve immediately, store, or use in another recipe.

Ways to Use Roasted Tomatoes

There is certainly no shortage of ways to use roasted tomatoes! Spread them onto plain crusty bread or garlic bread, spoon them over burrata, mozzarella, or ricotta, or serve them as an accompaniment on a cheese board.

You can also brighten up a simple salad or pasta salad or add pizzazz to grilled chicken, soups, or casseroles. They also add fresh flavor to pasta sauces (like a hearty marinara or spicy marinara), or you can just toss your cooked pasta with them.

Or, if you love them as much as I do, you can simply serve them solo with a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

close up overhead shot of oven roasted tomatoes on sheet pan

Variations on Oven Roasted Tomatoes

You won’t believe how many ways you can change up this recipe to make it your own!

  1. French Style – Instead of using traditional Italian herbs and spices, try using French like mint, herbs de Provence, or tarragon.
  2. Italian Style – Likely the most common, this can also lead to several variations. Consider roasting along with fresh herbs like basil, parsley, oregano, thyme, or rosemary. If you are short on time, toss 1-2 teaspoons of dried Italian seasoning in the with olive oil.
  3. Garlic – I never turn down roast garlic or garlic confit, so adding a few cloves or an entire head of garlic (or 5) to the roasting pan would be a welcome addition.
  4. Hot, Hot, Hot! – Spicy tomatoes — actually, let’s call them fiery tomatoes — can work in dishes like fra diavolo or simply heaped on a wedge of focaccia. Add 1-2 teaspoons of crushed red pepper flakes or Aleppo pepper to the olive oil prior to roasting.
  5. Mediterranean Style – Mint, dill, fennel, marjoram, and oregano are great for tomatoes headed towards a Mediterranean hummus platter or grilled dish entree.
  6. Middle Eastern – Tomatoes are also quite popular in Middle Eastern cuisine. Toss them with 1 teaspoon of sumac to bring out these natural flavors and transform the color into an even brighter hue.
  7. Curry – Yellow curry powder can be used for tomatoes intended for a curry sauce.
  8. Tomatoes and Peppers – Julienne several bell peppers (red, yellow, orange, or green) and add them to the sheet pan for a delicious variety of flavors and textures.
  9. Infused Olive Oil – There are so many infused olive oils out there that can make a huge flavor impact. Consider using one for roasting or to drizzle after cooking.
  10. Sweet – If you want your tomatoes to take on a sweet tone without so much punchy acidity, consider adding 1-2 teaspoons of sugar to the mix before roasting. It will enhance their natural sugars.
  11. Lemony – A spritz of fresh lemon juice and a sprinkle of grated lemon zest right after removing from the oven will not only smell heavenly but taste fresh and bright.
close up angled shot of oven roasted tomatoes on sheet pan

Storage and Freezing

One of the best things about these oven roasted tomatoes is how long they last. So roast up a whole slew of them and have them on hand for snacking or adding to recipes on the ready.

Since these will last a couple of weeks, you can make and store them to use whenever you want. You can also toss all of the ingredients together and refrigerate until you’re ready to roast them.

Storing Oven Roasted Tomatoes

Store these roasted tomatoes in the fridge for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container.

How to Freeze Oven Roasted Tomatoes

Freeze the tomatoes in a resealable freezer bag or freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.

Common Questions About Oven Roasted Tomatoes

Are oven roasted tomatoes good for you?

Oven roasted tomatoes pack in all of the nutrients of tomatoes along with the added bonus of healthy fat, making them a solid choice for a healthy snack, side dish, addition to a sandwich, or addition to other recipes like tomato sauce, a caprese salad, or tomato soup.

Does roasting tomatoes change the flavor?

Roasting tomatoes helps to concentrate the flavor of tomatoes, often making them sweeter. They’ll also take on the flavor of the spices or other ingredients that you add.

How should tomatoes be cooked?

Depending on what you’re using them for, tomatoes can be cooked in a variety of ways. For the most flavorful tomatoes, roast them in the oven with olive oil until browned.

overhead shot of oven roasted tomatoes in white bowl

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close up angled shot of oven roasted tomatoes on crostini with text overlay for pinterest
overhead shot of oven roasted tomatoes on sheet pan

How to Roast Tomatoes in the Oven

5 from 4 votes
This is the base recipe for how to roast tomatoes in the oven. Eat Oven Roasted Tomatoes on their own or add them to proteins and sauces!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 2 cups

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 450°F. Get out a large rimmed baking sheet. Set aside.
  • Place the cut roma tomatoes and yellow grape tomatoes into a large mixing bowl. Toss with the olive oil. Sprinkle with the salt, tossing again to evenly coat.
  • Using a slotted spoon or clean heads, transfer the tomatoes to a rimmed baking sheet, spreading out into a single layer.
  • Roast for 30-35 minutes or until they are browned and reduced.
  • Remove and use for any recipe that calls or roast tomatoes or simply spread onto bread.
  • If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings.

Notes

  1. French Style- Instead of using traditionally Italian herbs and spices, try using French like mint, herbes de provence or tarragon.
  2. Italian Style- Likely the most common, this can also lead to several variations. Consider roasting along with fresh herbs like basil, parsley, oregano, thyme or rosemary. If you are short on time, toss 1-2 teaspoons of dried Italian seasoning in the with olive oil.
  3. Garlic- I never turn down roast garlic or garlic confit, so adding a few cloves or an entire head of garlic (or 5) to the roasting pan would be a welcome addition.
  4. Hot, Hot, Hot!- Spicy tomatoes, actually let’s call them fiery tomatoes, can work in dishes like fra diavolo or simply heaped on a wedge of focaccia. Add 1-2 teaspoons of crushed red pepper flakes or aleppo pepper to the olive oil prior to roasting.
  5. Mediterranean Style- Mint, dill, fennel, marjoram and oregano are great for tomatoes headed towards a Mediterranean hummus platter or grilled dish entree.
  6. Middle Eastern- Tomatoes are also quite popular in Middle Eastern cuisine. Toss them with 1 teaspoon of sumac to bring out these natural flavors and alter the color into an even brighter hue.
  7. Curry- Yellow curry powder can be used for tomatoes intended to join a curry sauce.
  8. Tomatoes and Peppers- Julienne slice several bell peppers, red, yellow, orange or green, and add them to the sheet pan for a delicious variety.
  9. Infused Olive Oil- There are so many infused olive oils out there that can make a huge flavor impact. Consider using one for roasting or to drizzle after cooking.
  10. Sweet- If you want your tomatoes to take on a sweet tone and not so much punchy acidity, consider add 1-2 teaspoons of sugar to the mix before roasting. It will heighten the natural sugars.
  11. Lemony- Fresh lemon juice and lemon zest spritzed and grated right after removing from the oven will not only smell heavenly, but taste fresh and bright.

Nutrition

Calories: 280 kcal, Carbohydrates: 9 g, Protein: 2 g, Fat: 27 g, Saturated Fat: 4 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 20 g, Sodium: 1175 mg, Potassium: 544 mg, Fiber: 3 g, Sugar: 6 g, Vitamin A: 1912 IU, Vitamin C: 31 mg, Calcium: 24 mg, Iron: 1 mg
Author: Jessica Formicola
Calories: 280
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: oven rosted tomatoes
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see your recipes – snap a picture and mention @savoryexperiments or tag #savoryexperiments!
collage of oven roasted tomatoes for pinterest
Jessica Formicola in her ktichen

About the Author

Chef Jessica Anne Formicola

Jessica the mom, wife and chef behind Savory Experiments. You might see her on the Emmy- nominated TV show Plate It! or on bookshelves as a cookbook author. Jessica is a Le Cordon Bleu certified recipe developer and regularly contributed to Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, The Daily Meal, Mashed and more!

Read More About Jessica

5 from 4 votes

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Questions and Reviews

  1. This was such an easy and delicious recipe that does not disappoint! Made some homemade spaghetti sauce that was a savory success! Definitely a new favorite recipe!

  2. 5 stars
    Oven roasted tomatoes are my absolute favorite! Thanks for all those wonderful variations too. I am going to give lemony version a go!

  3. 5 stars
    Roasted tomatoes are SO tasty, and easy to make – I love the various ideas to vary the flavors that you give, I look forward to trying some!

  4. 5 stars
    Hi, tomato lover here! I have to say this recipe is one I use all of the time! Easy to make, flavorful, and has so many uses.