Roasted Tomatoes With Balsamic Vinegar and Parmesan Cheese

Roasting tomatoes with olive oil and Parmesan cheese, which requires a handful of wholesome ingredients, is easily put together in a few minutes. The magic is in the roasting, which brings out the sweet, rich flavor of the tomato. Roasted tomatoes make a succulent side dish served alongside a hearty entree, or you can create gourmet sandwiches by placing the roasted tomatoes between two pieces of crusty, sourdough or whole wheat bread.

Things You'll Need

  • Serrated knife
  • Baking dish or baking sheet
  • Sliced garlic cloves
  • Olive oil or vinaigrette dressing
  • Balsamic vinegar (optional)
  • Sea salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • Fresh oregano or thyme (optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse the tomatoes thoroughly; then slice the tomatoes in half crosswise, using a serrated knife. You can also use whole cherry tomatoes.

  2. Place the sliced tomatoes in a baking dish with the cut-side up. If you use whole tomatoes, arrange the tomatoes on a lightly oiled baking sheet. If desired, sprinkle a few sliced garlic cloves over the tomatoes.

  3. Drizzle the tomatoes lightly with olive oil or your favorite vinaigrette dressing. Alternatively, drizzle them with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

  4. Sprinkle the tomatoes with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. If desired, arrange fresh, chopped oregano or several sprigs of fresh thyme over the tomatoes.

  5. Place the tomatoes in an oven preheated to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and bake them until they are hot and the skins begin to split -- about 8 to 15 minutes, depending on the size of the tomato.

  6. Remove the roasted tomatoes from the oven and serve them hot or refrigerate them for later use.