Celebrate summer with these healthy, delicious, fresh tomato recipes! Everything from grilled tomatoes to tomato salads and soup, appetizers, pastas, and so much more!
One of my favorite times of the year is tomato season! During the summer, tomatoes truly shine—they are sweet, juicy, and bursting with authentic “tomato” flavor! Whether you have a harvest of tomatoes from your garden that needs to be used or you want to create a simple salad or soup from farmers’ market tomatoes, we have a beautiful collection of tomato recipes for you to peruse.
As a chef, one of the best tips I can give you when it comes to serving up fresh tomatoes is to make sure they are at room temperature. I never store tomatoes in the fridge! Salting them goes a long way, and when you roast them, it brings out their sweetness and intensifies their flavor. They have a lot of powerful nutrients, including lycopene – read more about it here.
Favorite Recipes Using Tomatoes
When tomatoes are in peak season, they taste heavenly. Here are our most popular tomato recipes to try this summer!
Tomato Confit
This cherry tomato confit recipe takes only 5 minutes of hands-on time before roasting in your oven, transforming into the most tender, juicy, little heavenly bites.
Chicken Caprese
This recipe for Chicken Caprese is easy to make with simple ingredients. Made with chicken breast, fresh tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella cheese, it can be grilled or seared.
Savory Summer Galette
This savory galette recipe is full of summertime goodness! It’s filled with summer tomatoes, corn, and zucchini, ricotta cheese, cheddar cheese, fresh basil, and a delicious cornmeal crust.
Greek Shrimp Saganaki
This classic Greek recipe for Shrimp Saganaki with feta cheese and kalamata olives in a flavorful tomato sauce is easy to make and delicious as an appetizer or weeknight dinner.
Traditional Succotash
This classic Succotash recipe is easy and delicious! Make perfect use of your summer vegetables- it’s a lovely side dish your whole family will love!
Grilled Tomatoes
Savory grilled tomatoes with garlic and oregano, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. A delicious, healthy, summery side dish in 20 minutes! Vegan.
Tomato Risotto
Tomato Risotto with juicy vine-ripened tomatoes, and infused with saffron, can be served as a vegetarian main or side dish, or topped off with smoky shrimp.
Cherry Tomato Recipes
Every summer, I plant cherry tomatoes in the garden. They are easy to grow and produce fruit all summer long, adding little pops of color and sweetness to everything!
Caprese Pizza
How to make Caprese Pizza with roasted cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, basil oil and optional balsamic drizzle.
Grilled Eggplant Steaks with Cherry Tomatoes
Grilled Eggplant Steaks with Fresh Cherry Tomato Relish and an Italian herb sauce called Gremolata. Keep it vegan or add crumbled cheese.
Pesto Chickpeas
Creamy warm chickpeas tossed with pesto, kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and sprinkled with Parmesan. Easy to make in 20 mins!
Mediterranean Baked Cod
Easy Mediterranean baked cod recipe, ready in 30 minutes! Packed full of flavor, baked in the oven with kalamata olives, garlic, lemon, cherry tomatoes, and veggies.
Orzo Pasta Salad with Lemon Basil Dressing
This Orzo Salad is perfect for summer gatherings and picnics. Cucumber, cherry tomatoes, arugula, and a zesty Lemon Basil Dressing make the flavors pop!
Quinoa Cakes with Tomato-Chickpea Relish
Quino Cakes with Cherry Tomato Chickpea Relish- a delicious, healthy, flavorful plant-based vegan dinner that is gluten-free. Please watch the how-to video to see how to get the quinoa to “clump”.
Tomato Appetizer Recipes
Whether you want to serve little bowls of fresh gazpacho or want to serve up classic tomato bruschetta, you’ll love the way we elevated these recipes for you!
Gazpacho Recipe
How to make the BEST Gazpacho, a chilled and refreshing Spanish soup highlighting ripe and juicy summer tomatoes. Serve it chunky or smooth- it’s vegan and gluten-free with several variations.
Pico de Gallo
Fresh & flavorful Pico De Gallo is the perfect salsa, everyone loves! Easy to make with simple ingredients, see how we elevate this classic!
Tomato Bruschetta (Elevated!)
Are you looking for the perfect recipe for Tomato Bruschetta? Here are a few tips to elevate this classic summer appetizer!
Fresh Tomato Recipes
Whether you are looking for Roma tomato ideas, beef steak, Campari tomatoes, or summer heirloom tomato recipes, you’ll love these fresh tomato recipe ideas.
Oven Roasted Tomato Sauce
Extend your harvest with roasted tomato sauce! Made with fresh roasted tomatoes, you can capture the essence of summer- freeze (or can) in jars for winter!
Caprese Salad
You’ll love everything about this Caprese Salad! Made with juicy summer tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, basil leaves, and a balsamic glaze, we give it a little “upgrade” with Basil Oil.
Tomato Tart
Elegant and savory, this fresh Tomato Tart is made with a flaky olive oil crust, juicy summer heirloom tomatoes, creamy goat cheese, and fresh basil. Perfect as an appetizer, side dish or light meal.
Tomato Zucchini Gratin
A simple recipe for Tomato Zucchini Gratin: fresh tomatoes and zucchini, breadcrumbs, parmesan, garlic, and fresh basil. A quick and easy vegetarian side dish!
Recipes With Tomato Sauce
Zucchini Lasagna (without noodles)
A savory recipe for Zucchini Lasagna made without noodles for a low-carb, keto version of one of our favorite meals! Use ground lamb, beef, or try a plant-based “meat”!
Italian Baked Beans and Greens
A simple recipe for Italian Baked Beans, with kale, cannellini beans, and your favorite tomato sauce, baked in the oven until golden and bubbling.
Quick and Easy Marinara Sauce
A fast and easy recipe Tomato Sauce using fresh or canned tomatoes, with garlic, onions and basil cooked on the stovetop in under 30 minutes.
Roasted Vegetable Lasagna
This homemade vegetarian lasagna is layered with savory roasted vegetables, marinara sauce, ricotta, and goat cheese- a cozy vegetarian dinner perfect for feeding a crowd.
Fresh Tomato Salad Recipes
Sesame Tomato Salad
This summery Tomato Salad with sesame ginger dressing and fresh herbs is an easy, delicious way to savor ripe, juicy heirloom tomatoes! Vegan and gluten-free.
Cucumber Tomato Salad
Looking for a light and healthy summer salad? This quick & easy Cucumber Tomato Salad is fresh and light, made with vine-ripe tomatoes and juicy cucumbers, slivers of red onion, and fresh dill, tossed in a red-wine vinaigrette.
Tomato Burrata Salad with Nectarines
Burrata Salad with nectarines, summer tomatoes, fresh basil, creamy burrata cheese and a balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
Tomato Watermelon Salad
Cooling, refreshing Tomato Watermelon Salad with melon, avocado, pickled shallots, radishes, pumpkin seeds, and basil, tossed in a flavorful Tomato Vinaigrette. Vegan and Gluten-free.
Heirloom Tomato Salad with Toasted Walnuts & Smoked Blue Cheese
Heirloom Tomato Salad with Toasted Walnuts and Smoked Blue Cheese – a simple summer salad highlighting sweet and juicy heirloom tomatoes. Can be made in 15 minutes!
Fresh Tomato Soup Recipes
Best Ever Tomato Soup
Simply the BEST homemade Tomato Soup recipe made w/ fresh or canned tomatoes in under 30 minutes. Cozy and comforting, vegan-adaptable!
Roasted Tomato Soup
This Roasted Tomato Soup is made with fresh summer tomatoes and topped with optional crispy Halloumi Croutons.
Tomato Artichoke Soup
An easy vegan recipe for Tomato Artichoke Soup with fennel and tarragon using pantry ingredients.
Coconut Ginger Tomato Soup
Creamy Vegan Tomato Soup with Coconut, Ginger, and Turmeric- a quick, easy homemade tomato soup recipe that can be made in 15 minutes!
White Bean Tomato Soup
Smoky Tomato White Bean Soup made with dry beans in an instant pot or on the stovetop.
Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup
This roasted red pepper and tomato soup recipe is made with fresh summer tomatoes and peppers, garlic, and basil, with only 15 minutes of hands-on time.
Sun-Dried Tomato Recipes
Vegetarian Split Pea Soup
This Split Pea Soup recipe comes from our vegetarian restaurant! Savory and flavorful, with Mediterranean flavors and sun-dried tomatoes, it’s vegan and delicious!
Sun-dried Tomato Meatballs
These turkey meatballs, made with sun-dried tomatoes and basil, can be baked in the oven or pan-seared on the stovetop. Simmer them in your favorite tomato sauce!
Tomato Pasta Recipes
Traditional Lasagna Recipe
This classic lasagna recipe is the ultimate comfort food. Made with rich tomato-meat sauce, three cheeses, and Italian spices, it’s easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser!
Summer Pasta Salad
This pasta salad recipe highlights summer zucchini, corn, bell pepper, and cherry tomatoes; tossed with noodles in a punchy cilantro pesto.
Baked Feta Pasta
This Baked Feta Pasta recipe is simple and packed with feta, tomatoes, and olives! Perfect for a fast, easy weeknight dinner.
Healthy Spaghetti with Fresh Tomato Sauce
This healthy spaghetti recipe with fresh tomato sauce comes together in under 20 minutes. It’s incredibly easy and completely delicious!
Tuna Pasta with Olive Tapenade & Fresh Tomatoes
Tuna Pasta with Olive Tapenade & Fresh Tomatoes is a super fast, fresh pasta dish that is full of bright, clean, and savory flavors.
Tomato Sandwich Recipes
Toast a piece of sourdough bread, drizzle it with olive oil, slice an heirloom tomato, and place it on top. Season it with salt, letting the juices run into the toast, and take a bite. Deliciousness can be as simple as that.
Caprese Sandwich Recipe
These Caprese Sandwiches are the perfect summer lunch- made with juicy ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, fresh basil, and pesto-mayo on a baguette.
Caprese Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Grilled Caprese Sandwich – a toasty, melty grilled cheese sandwich with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and arugula pesto.
BLT Sandwich
This delicious vegan BLT sandwich features smoky tempeh bacon, ripe summer tomatoes, crisp lettuce, and toasted sourdough bread. Vegan.
More Tomato Ideas
Jammy Roasted Ketchup
Learn how to make the most flavorful Homemade Ketchup using your homegrown garden tomatoes! Roasting brings out their sweetness. In a hurry? Check out our quick cheater version below.
Tomato Vinaigrette
This summery Tomato Vinaigrette recipe is delicious on salads, spooned over fish or chicken, or even used as a marinade for grilling! Made with simple ingredients, it is slightly sweet, tangy, and full of tomato flavor! Vegan!
Grilled Scallops with Tomato Vinaigrette
Grilled Scallops with a delicious charred Tomato Vinaigrette. A delicious summer dinner that is fast, easy, light, refreshing and elegant!
50+ Best Tomato Recipes
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 15
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6
- Category: side dish
- Method: grilled
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
50+ fresh tomato recipes for summer! Enjoy vibrant salads, soups, appetizers, and pasta, made with juicy garden fresh tomatoes! (Below: Easy Grilled Tomatoes)
Ingredients
- 2 lbs tomatoes, semi-firm (Roma, Vine ripened, Better boy, Heirloom) 3-5 inches in diameter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, more for finishing
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2-4 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 2-3 tablespoons fresh oregano, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, more for finishing
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Clean and grease the grill well.
- Remove the core of the tomatoes using a sharp knife. Cut in half. If using Romas, cut through the core. If using round tomatoes, cut perpendicular to the core. See photos.
- Place tomatoes in a bowl. Stir olive oil, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, oregano, salt and pepper together, and pour this over the tomatoes, gently mixing to coat well.
- On a well-greased grill, place tomatoes open side down- and SAVE THE REMAINING MARINADE in the bowl. Cover and grill 5-7 minutes (longer if bigger) or until deep grill marks appear. Using a thin metal spatula, turn them over, continue grilling, covering, checking every few minutes, until they begin to soften. You want them to the point where they are softening, but not totally collapsing, so watch closely at the end.
- If grilling multiple things, you can keep these warm in a 350F oven until ready to serve. If your tomatoes are particularly large the oven will continue to soften which can be a good thing.
- When ready to serve, place tomatoes on a platter and pour any leftover marinade over the tomatoes, arranging the oregano so there is a little on each tomato. Drizzle with more olive oil if you like (I like) and sprinkle with salt (a flakey finishing salt is really nice here).
Notes
Serve warm or at room temperature.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 whole tomato
- Calories: 77
- Sugar: 4.8 g
- Sodium: 203.1 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.7 g
- Carbohydrates: 8.1 g
- Fiber: 2.4 g
- Protein: 1.6 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
