Description
Ina Garten’s roasted tomatoes with pesto showcase summer’s garden-fresh ingredients in a simple Mediterranean-inspired side dish. Garden tomatoes mingle with herbaceous basil pesto, creating a perfect accompaniment you’ll want to serve alongside grilled meats or crusty bread.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 to 2.5 lbs (907 to 1134 g) large red tomatoes
- ½ cup (120 ml) pesto, store-bought or homemade
- ½ cup (50 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) good olive oil
- 2 tsps (2 g) dried oregano
- Kosher salt
- ½ tsp (1 g) freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preparation: Position oven rack in the middle and preheat to 220°C / 425°F to ensure optimal roasting conditions.
- Tomato Preparation: Core and slice ripe tomatoes into uniform 1.25cm / ½-inch rounds, arranging them in a single, non-overlapping layer on a rimmed baking tray.
- Initial Seasoning: Drizzle extra virgin olive oil across tomato surfaces, then sprinkle dried oregano, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper evenly for comprehensive flavor distribution.
- First Roasting Phase: Place tray in preheated oven and roast for 10 minutes, allowing tomatoes to soften and release natural juices, developing an intense flavor profile.
- Pesto and Cheese Enhancement: Remove tray, spread a thin layer of basil pesto over each tomato slice, then generously top with finely grated Parmesan cheese to create a rich, aromatic covering.
- Final Roasting: Return tray to oven and bake for an additional 7–10 minutes until cheese melts and turns a light golden color, creating a crisp, caramelized finish.
- Serving: Remove from oven, let rest for 2-3 minutes, then transfer roasted tomatoes to a serving plate using a wide, flexible spatula. Optionally garnish with an extra pinch of salt and serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Select Ripe Tomatoes: Choose firm, vibrant red tomatoes at peak ripeness for maximum flavor and best roasting results.
- Uniform Slicing Technique: Cut tomatoes precisely to 1/2-inch thickness to ensure even roasting and consistent texture.
- Oil Coverage Matters: Use high-quality extra virgin olive oil sparingly, creating a light coating that enhances flavor without soaking the tomatoes.
- Cheese Melting Pro Tip: Use freshly grated Parmesan for optimal melting and golden-brown color, avoiding pre-packaged cheese that might not melt smoothly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 17 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 276
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 440 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 18 mg