Roasted Red Potatoes

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All you need is potatoes, olive oil, salt, and pepper to make this simple, 35-minute side dish.

Prep Time:
5 mins
Total Time:
35 mins
Servings:
4

A simple but satisfying side dish you’ll make again and again, this roasted red potato recipe takes five minutes to prep and about 30 minutes of hands-off time to roast. There’s no need to peel or boil the potatoes before roasting which saves you time. Simply wash them, cut them in half, and toss them with olive oil, fresh-ground black pepper, and salt right on the baking sheet (no bowl required).

You can add your favorite fresh herb, such as rosemary, thyme, or oregano before roasting if you like. Martha recommends chopping the herbs, rather than carefully removing the leaves from the stems—another time-saving strategy. Spread the potatoes on the baking sheet, cut side down, and roast to golden perfection.

roasted red potatoes - in bowl

Emily Laurae

About the Ingredients

This easy recipe couldn’t be more straightforward. It has just four ingredients:

Baby red potatoes: Using baby potatoes makes this dish quicker because the smaller potatoes roast faster than larger ones. Also, there is no boiling needed prior to roasting as is done for larger potatoes. We don’t peel the potatoes for roasting because we love how their red skins look, and keeping the skins on potatoes makes them more nutritious.

Olive oil: Some roast potato recipes use duck fat or beef fat, which does add great flavor, but olive oil is healthy and easy. It’s an ingredient we always have on hand and produces consistent, crispy potatoes.

Salt and pepper:  There’s hardly a savory recipe on our site that doesn’t call for seasoning with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. And when a recipe is as simple as this one, the seasoning is extra important.


Equipment

This simple recipe doesn’t require any special equipment. You may want a colander for draining the potatoes after rinsing, and you'll need a cutting board and paring knife to halve any larger potatoes. 

Rimmed Baking Sheet

The most important item for this recipe is the rimmed baking sheet. We always use a rimmed baking sheet for roasting vegetables. The baking sheet makes for better air circulation. Using a casserole or other baking dish with high sides will prevent the potatoes from crisping and browning. 

Martha's secret for deliciously crispy roasted potatoes? Preheat the baking sheet while you prep the potatoes.

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Ingredients

  • 1 ½ pounds baby red potatoes, quartered

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh thyme or rosemary

  • Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

Directions

roasted red potatoes - ingredients

Emily Laurae

  1. Preheat oven and toss potatoes with oil:

    Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss potatoes, oil, and rosemary on a rimmed baking sheet.

    roasted red potatoes - adding oil and herbs

    Emily Laurae

    Lining the baking sheet with parchment paper or foil prevents the potatoes from sticking to the sheet and makes cleanup easier.

  2. Spread potatoes on baking sheet:

    Spread out potatoes in a single layer; season with salt and pepper.

    roasted red potatoes - in sheet pan

    Emily Laurae

  3. Roast potatoes:

    Roast, stirring once halfway through cooking, until potatoes are golden brown and crisp outside and tender inside, about 30 minutes.

    roasted red potatoes - on sheet pan

    Emily Laurae

How to Store and Use Leftover Roast Potatoes

Leftover roasted potatoes should be cooled completely before being stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

We do not recommend freezing leftover roast potatoes.

Any leftover potatoes can be enjoyed as is or mashed (the crisp pieces add unexpected crunch), or tossed with mayonnaise or dressing to make potato salad.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can you overcook red potatoes?

    Yes, you can overcook red potatoes. You can boil them until they fall apart, or roast them until they are completely shriveled and dehydrated. It is important to follow the timing given in the recipe.

  • Can I roast potatoes in advance?

    Yes, you can roast potatoes in advance. When you are ready to eat them, reheat them in a hot oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes to crisp them back up. Making potatoes in advance is great for meal preparation for lunches or dinners for the week.

  • Can I add fresh rosemary after roasting the potatoes?

    Yes, you can add fresh rosemary after roasting the potatoes. If you like the flavor of rosemary, sprinkle the roasted potatoes with fresh rosemary leaves as a nice garnish and to add another layer of flavor. However, fresh rosemary is not required for this recipe.

More Potato Side Dish Recipes to Try 

Originally appeared: Martha Stewart Living, October 2004
Updated by
Victoria Spencer
Victoria Spencer, senior food editor, MarthaStewart.com
Victoria Spencer is an experienced food editor, writer, and recipe developer. She manages the Martha Stewart recipe archive and is always curious about new ingredients and the best techniques. She has been working in food media for over 20 years.

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