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Celebrate tomato season with 35 of our best tomato recipes! From fresh tomato salads and appetizers to soups, sauces, pastas, and easy dinners, these recipes make the most of juicy, ripe summer tomatoes.
Tomato season might just be my favorite time of year. When summer tomatoes are at their peak, they’re sweet, juicy, and so flavorful they need very little help. Whether your garden is overflowing with tomatoes or you couldn’t resist bringing home a basket from the farmers’ market, this collection is full of delicious ways to put them to good use.
As a chef, my best advice is simple: serve fresh tomatoes at room temperature for the fullest flavor. A little salt makes them sing, and roasting or grilling concentrates their natural sweetness. Below you’ll find some of my favorite ways to celebrate them-from simple tomato salads and appetizers to soups, sauces, pastas, and easy summer dinners.
Chef's Tips for Fresh Tomatoes
Choose tomatoes that feel heavy and fragrant. Ripe tomatoes should have a little give and smell distinctly tomato-y, especially around the stem.
Keep them out of the refrigerator. For the best flavor and texture, I keep ripe tomatoes at room temperature whenever possible.
Salt brings tomatoes to life. Even a small pinch enhances their sweetness and brings out their juices. For tomato salads, I often season just before serving.
Roast less-than-perfect tomatoes. If tomatoes aren’t quite as sweet and flavorful as you’d hoped, roasting concentrates their flavor and natural sweetness.
Pair them simply. Peak-season tomatoes don’t need much-good olive oil, flaky salt, fresh herbs, garlic, lemon or vinegar, and perhaps a creamy or salty cheese.
Our Best Tomato Recipes
Start here! These reader-favorite tomato recipes make ripe summer tomatoes the star-from juicy grilled tomatoes and bruschetta to gazpacho, Caprese, and tomato confit.
Tomato Risotto
This dreamy Tomato Risotto with juicy vine-ripened tomatoes is infused with saffron and can be served as a vegetarian main or side dish, or topped off with smoky shrimp.
Gazpacho
How to make the BEST Gazpacho, a chilled and refreshing Spanish soup highlighting ripe and juicy summer tomatoes. Serve it chunky or smooth.
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 Bruschetta (Elevated!)
Are you looking for the perfect recipe for Tomato Bruschetta? Here are a few catering tips to elevate this classic summer appetizer!
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.
Grilled Tomatoes
Savory grilled tomatoes with garlic and oregano, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. A delicious, healthy, summery side dish in 20 minutes! Vegan.
Pico de Gallo
Fresh & flavorful Pico De Gallo is the perfect salsa, everyone loves! Â Easy to make with simple ingredients, see how we elevate this classic!
Fresh Tomato Salads
When tomatoes are perfectly ripe, sometimes the simplest recipes are best. These fresh tomato salads pair them with herbs, cucumbers, summer fruit, creamy cheese, and bright dressings.
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.
Tomato Soups and Sauces
Turn fresh tomatoes into cozy soups and flavorful sauces-from classic tomato soup and marinara to roasted tomato sauce you can freeze and enjoy all winter.
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.
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!
Tomato white Bean Soup
Smoky Tomato White Bean Soup made with dry beans in an Instant Pot or on the stovetop.
Tomato Artichoke Soup
An easy vegan recipe for Tomato Artichoke Soup with fennel and tarragon using pantry ingredients. Â
Vietnamese Hot and Sour Tomato Soup (Canh Chua)
Vietnamese Hot and Sour Soup with tomatoes and tofu (aka Canh Chua)- flavorful, warming and healing, this version is vegan and gluten-free!
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.
Tomato Pasta, Pizza & Hearty Dinners
Make tomatoes the heart of dinner with these easy summer pastas, pizzas, vegetarian meals, and Mediterranean-inspired mains.
One Pan Baked Quinoa Dinner with Tomato Relish
This easy Baked Quinoa is a hearty one-pan vegetarian dinner with zucchini, corn, melty cheese, and fresh tomato relish. No need to cook the quinoa first!
Grilled Eggplant Steaks with Gremolata and Tomato Relish
These Grilled Eggplant Steaks are topped with fresh gremolata, juicy tomatoes, and optional goat cheese for a simple, flavor-packed vegetarian dinner.
Pasta with Fresh Tomato Sauce
This spaghetti recipe with fresh tomato sauce comes together in under 20 minutes. It’s incredibly easy and completely delicious!
Caprese Pizza
How to make Caprese Pizza with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, basil oil, and optional balsamic drizzle.
Tomato Zucchini Gratin
A simple recipe for Zucchini Gratin with tomatoes, breadcrumbs, garlic parmesan, and fresh basil. A quick and easy vegetarian side dish that’s cozy and warming.
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.
Grilled Chicken Caprese
This recipe for Chicken Caprese is easy to make with simple ingredients. Grill it or pan-sear it. It’s bursting with summertime flavor and can be made in 30 minutes!
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!
Baked Feta Pasta
This Baked Feta Pasta recipe is simple and packed with feta, tomatoes, and olives! Perfect for a fast, easy weeknight dinner.
Tuna Pasta with Olives & 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. Â
Tomato Tarts, Galettes and Sandwiches
Ripe tomatoes don’t need much to become something special. Layer them into savory tarts, galettes, sandwiches, and simple summer dishes perfect for lunch or entertaining.
Savory Summer Galette
This savory galette recipe is full of summertime goodness! It’s filled with summer tomatoes, corn, and zucchini, ricotta cheese, fresh basil, and a delicious cornmeal crust.
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.
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.
Ways to Preserve & Use Lots of Tomatoes
Too many tomatoes? Lucky you! Turn an abundant tomato harvest into confit, roasted tomato sauce, homemade ketchup, marinara, and tomato vinaigrette.
Homemade Roasted Tomato Sauce Recipe
An easy recipe for Roasted Tomato Sauce made with fresh summer tomatoes, garlic and herbs. Â
Quick and Easy Marinara Sauce
A fast and easy recipe for Marinara Sauce using fresh or canned tomatoes, with garlic, onions and oregano and basil cooked on the stovetop in under 30 minutes.
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!
Which Tomatoes Are Best for Cooking
Heirloom tomatoes - Best for Caprese, tomato salads, sandwiches, and anywhere you want beautiful fresh tomato flavor.
Roma or plum tomatoes - Meaty and less watery, making them ideal for tomato sauce, roasting, soups, and preserving.
Cherry and grape tomatoes - Sweet, juicy, and wonderful for salads, pasta, roasting, confit, and quick weeknight meals.
Beefsteak tomatoes - Big and juicy; perfect for slicing onto sandwiches, burgers, toast, and platters.
Garden tomatoes - Use whatever is ripe! Mixed varieties are wonderful in sauces, soups, salads, and roasted tomato recipes.
35+ Best Tomato Recipes
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 15
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: grilled
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Got fresh tomatoes? Here are 35 of our best tomato recipes, from vibrant summer salads and appetizers to pastas, soups, sauces, and easy dinners.
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
