This Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Goat Cheese Spread entered our lives several years ago. We’ve enjoyed it countless times since then, and I love sharing the recipe and the story of the friend who inspired it!
Recipe originally published September 2017. Updated April 2021.
On August 31, 2014, we were just waking up in our new home – a 45’ Trawler (an ocean boat) in a beautiful marina in San Diego. My husband accepted a position with a start-up, and after months of planning and preparation, we were finally there.
We arrived in San Diego late the night before with our pets and a car full of belongings that we couldn’t live without until the rest of our things arrived with the movers. My friend, Kathy, had also recently moved to San Diego. Suffice it to say, she was an amazing resource throughout the process of our move and, kindly provided the most gracious welcome to our new home.
Every time she visited, she brought food, wine and friendship. She made our big crazy move more pleasant just by being there, and she made many of our sunset cruises together in beautiful San Diego Bay an absolute joy.
Kathy is an amaaazing cook. One of her many culinary talents is whipping up the simplest dishes in an unbelievably delicious way. This Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Goat Cheese Spread is one of those dishes.
The first time she brought this goat cheese spread to our boat/home, I think I ate most of it myself… It was everything my palate was craving all in one absolutely beautiful little dish.
While our move to San Diego was brief, this is one of the many wonderful things that came from the experience. Despite the months of craziness, packing and moving that lead up to it all – as well as the whirlwind return to Minnesota – we’d do it all over again in a heartbeat. Life is too short not to take chances, and we don’t regret having taken this chance one bit!
Speaking of chances, there isn’t a chance in the world that you won’t love this recipe as much as I do if you love fresh tomatoes basil and tangy goat cheese.
There are only a few ingredients in this Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Goat Cheese Spread recipe, and it takes very little effort to make, but it looks and tastes like a million bucks. Use garden fresh cherry tomatoes and your favorite goat cheese, then finish it all off with the best sweet balsamic you can find. I just know you and your guests are gonna love this!
Enjoy!
Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Goat Cheese Spread with Fresh Basil and Balsamic Drizzle
Ingredients
- 2½ - 3 cups cherry tomatoes about 1 pound
- 3 tablespoons good quality olive oil
- 10 ounces goat cheese slightly softened
- ¼ cup good quality balsamic vinegar – or more/less to taste
- 10 - 15 fresh basil leaves
- You’ll need:
- 1 rimmed sheet pan
- aluminum foil optional
- a 6.5 x 9” casserole/serving dish – or similar
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Toss whole cherry tomatoes with 3 tablespoons of olive oil, a pinch of salt, and fresh ground pepper. Line a rimmed sheet pan with foil (optional). Spread the seasoned tomatoes on the sheet pan, and roast for 45 minutes. Carefully remove the hot pan from the oven after 45 minutes to check doneness – tomatoes should just about be at the bursting point. Place them back in the oven for another 15 minutes. Remove pan again, toss, and this time carefully press down on the tomatoes with a spatula to smash them. Toss again to combine tomato juices with oil and seasoning, and place the pan back in the oven. Repeat roasting and tossing until (1) all of the tomatoes burst easily, and (2) the tomato juices reduce and reach a thick, syrup-like consistency. Allow to cool before spreading tomatoes on top of goat cheese.
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Spread goat cheese on the bottom of the casserole dish, and spoon the tomatoes evenly over the top. Drizzle with balsamic, and garnish with basil. Serve with grilled or toasted baguette or your favorite crackers.
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Best served at room temperature. See notes below for more serving information.
Recipe Notes
*Making this ahead? Roast the tomatoes and allow them to cool completely; place in small covered bowl and refrigerate until needed. Spread the goat cheese in your serving dish, cover and refrigerate until needed. Just before serving: Allow roasted tomatoes and goat cheese to come to room temperature. Spread the tomatoes on top of the goat cheese, drizzle with balsamic, and garnish with plenty of fresh basil.
*Basil is a must with this dish, so make sure to serve with plenty of it! The delicate leaves bruise quickly, so it’s best to use whole leaves or tear/chop/chiffonade just before serving.
Looking for more bright, beautiful appetizer options?
Grilled Summer Garden Toasts – perfect with chilled white wine on a warm summer day!
Easy Garlic Herb Tomato Jam – wonderful with cheeses and crackers, or as a sandwich and burger spread.
Clean Green Goddess Dressing – amazing drizzled over grilled asparagus and other veggies, and also makes a wonderfully guilt-free dip for fresh veggies.
Corn Sauté with Fresh Ginger, Garlic and Cilantro – totally crave-worthy on it’s own as a side, and equally as good with chips and salsa, or as a taco topping.
Cilantro Lime Yogurt Sauce – so good with grilled meats and veggies, and drizzled on burgers, sandwiches and tacos!
Mango Cucumber and 3-Pepper Salsa – the freshest, brightest salsa you could possibly want… So good with chips, and absolutely wonderful with grilled chicken and fish!
Mashed Green Pea Spread with Lemon, Chives and Garlic – delicious on toasts or crackers, and it makes a fabulous sandwich spread, too!
Making this Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Goat Cheese Spread?
I’d love to hear how you enjoyed this recipe! Leave a note here on the blog in the comments below, or share your creations and ideas on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.
Make sure to hashtag #baconfatte or tag @baconfatte in your social media posts!
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Great appetizer.
I am all over this dish!!! All my favorite things!
I love roasted tomatoes and these sound delicious!
The tomatoes are just amazing right now and roasting them makes them even sweeter. I love this dish that you’ve made for us this week too!
The cherry tomatoes are looking so yummy and tasty, We can have it on garlic bread and eat as a bruschetta. As bruschetta consists of bread and tomatoes. Thanks for sharing.
I love roasting tomatoes. The sweetness and depth of flavor is just wonderful!
This post captivated me, not just for the incredibly simple yet beautifully depicted recipe, but also for your adventure of moving onto an ocean boat. Who gets to do that?! The fact that this summery and fresh dish came from that experience only serves to fortify both the recipe and this particular moment in your life. Thanks for the story and thanks for the recipe, I love them both.
Aaaawe… Thanks so much, Dan! Your note just made my day. 🙂 This recipe is, indeed, a special one, as are the memories surrounding it. Thanks so much for visiting!
I just love the combination of flavors. Tomatoes and goat cheese is a match made in heaven. I don’t think I’d need any crackers, just had me a spoon!
I’m with you there, Debra! This it totally spoon-worthy! Thanks for popping by! 🙂
Everything about this sounds so amazing! I have to make this next time I have people over!
It really is amazing, Madi! Hope you get to try it soon! 🙂
It just doesn’t get any better than this!
Nope! 😉 Thanks, Michaela! xo
Such a vibrant dish paired with wonderful memories. Food really does have a way to connect us with places and people.
Yes, yes, yes! Aside from the deliciousness, the memories surrounding food are my favorite thing about it! 🙂
The simplest ingredients are always the best! A quick drizzle of balsamic makes everything better just like salt and with tomatoes, it is no exception!
Couldn’t agree more, Jennifer! Thanks so much for stopping by! 🙂
Hi, Michelle! Thanks for sharing the recipe, I don’t know a single person that doesn’t love it when I take it to a gathering. I like it best with herbed goat cheese … the herbs just add that little extra that takes it over the top!
This is the cutest appetizer I have ever had in my life. I have tried it at home. I loved it completely. Thanks a lot for sharing this beautiful recipe. Regards
Love love love! We have a garden full of cherry tomatoes just waiting for me to make this!
Thanks so much, Mary! This is such an easy and delicious recipe… Enjoy!!