This dish features baby potatoes and fresh green beans perfectly roasted with minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, and parsley. The potatoes become golden and crisp while green beans remain tender, all coated in olive oil and seasoned with salt and pepper. This easy side combines vibrant flavors and textures, ideal for complementing a variety of meals. Adjust herbs or add lemon juice to enhance freshness before serving.
The smell of rosemary hitting hot olive oil still takes me back to my first tiny apartment kitchen where I discovered that roasting vegetables could make them taste like something from a restaurant. I used to burn everything until an old cook told me the secret was patience and heat management. Now this sheet pan combination is my go to when I need something that looks impressive but requires almost zero attention.
Last summer my sister dropped by unexpectedly and I threw this together while we caught up on her patio. She kept hovering around the pan asking if it was done yet because the garlic and herbs smelled so good. Now she requests it every time she visits, calling it the potato dish that ruined all other potatoes for her.
Ingredients
- Baby potatoes halved: These creamier potatoes hold their shape better than russets and develop beautiful golden edges
- Fresh green beans trimmed: Look for bright green pods that snap when you bend them, signaling freshness
- Garlic minced: Fresh garlic mellows beautifully during roasting, avoiding the harsh bite of raw cloves
- Fresh parsley rosemary and thyme: This trio creates layers of earthy aromatic flavor that dried herbs cannot replicate
- Olive oil: Extra virgin olive oil helps the vegetables roast evenly while adding its own subtle fruitiness
- Salt and black pepper: These basics amplify the natural sweetness of the vegetables
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare your baking surface:
- Crank your oven to 425°F with the rack in the middle position and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup effortless
- Coat the potatoes with flavor:
- In a large bowl toss the halved potatoes with olive oil garlic rosemary thyme salt and pepper until every piece is glistening and well coated
- Start the roasting process:
- Spread the potatoes in one crowded layer on your prepared baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes until they are starting to turn golden and the garlic is fragrant
- Add the green beans:
- Pull the pan from the oven scatter the trimmed green beans over the partially cooked potatoes and toss everything gently with tongs to redistribute the seasonings
- Finish roasting to perfection:
- Return the pan to the oven for another 12 to 15 minutes until the potatoes are crisp and golden and the green beans are tender but still have some bite
- Add the finishing touches:
- Sprinkle the freshly chopped parsley over everything and taste a potato to see if it needs a pinch more salt before serving hot
This became the side dish that saved Thanksgiving one year when I was hosting family and completely forgot about a vegetable course. Twelve minutes of panic roasting later and everyone was asking for the recipe instead of judging my planning skills.
Making It Your Own
Substitute fresh dill or basil for the parsley if you want to change the flavor profile completely. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice right before serving cuts through the richness and brightens everything up.
Timing Is Everything
The potatoes need that head start to develop their crispy exterior while the green beans cook much faster. Adding them at the right moment is the difference between perfectly tender beans and sad shriveled ones.
Serving Ideas
This works alongside roasted chicken grilled fish or even as part of a vegetarian main grain bowl. For extra protein add roasted chickpeas during the last 15 minutes of cooking.
- Make extra because these reheat beautifully for lunch the next day
- The vegetables continue to cook slightly after leaving the oven so pull them when they look slightly less done than perfect
- If your oven runs hot check at 10 minutes after adding the green beans to prevent burning
Serve this warm from the oven and watch it disappear from the platter first every single time.
Recipe FAQs
- → What type of potatoes work best?
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Baby potatoes or new potatoes are ideal as they roast evenly and become tender inside while crisping outside.
- → Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?
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Yes, substitute 1 tsp dried herbs for 1 tbsp fresh, adjusting to taste for balanced flavor.
- → How do I ensure the potatoes are crispy?
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Tossing potatoes thoroughly in olive oil and roasting at a high temperature helps achieve a golden, crispy texture.
- → Can this dish be made vegan?
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It is naturally vegetarian and vegan; adding roasted chickpeas can increase protein for a heartier option.
- → Is it necessary to add green beans halfway through roasting?
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Adding green beans midway ensures they stay tender and don't overcook while potatoes crisp properly.