55+ Glorious Tomato Recipes for Right Now
The time we’ve been looking forward to all winter is finally here. It’s tomato season! Yes, peak tomato season is in full swing, and that means one thing: It’s your duty to consume as many tomatoes as possible. My cue that it’s time to dive in is when I go to the market and I can smell the table of tomatoes before I even step up to it. And it turns out that the smell is the key to choosing a good ripe tomato (along with choosing tomatoes that are firm and heavy) Then I have a habit of getting caught up in the excitement of summer and loading up my bag with what’s likely far too many tomatoes, only to leave me wondering what to make with fresh tomatoes.
When I was a kid, I savored tomato season, biting into juicy, ripe tomatoes as if they were apples. I took every chance I could get to make tomato sandwiches, and we ate them as a side dish, simply cut into thick slices with a swipe or mayo and sprinkle of salt and pepper. These days, my bucket list of tomato recipes includes tomato salad (namely my mom’s cucumber and tomato salad), a fast and fancy weeknight tomato galette with plenty of feta and fresh herbs, homemade tomato sauce, and weekly renditions of pasts dinners packed with fresh tomatoes. Ready to make this summer’s tomato season really count? Here are over 55 tomato recipes to eat up the best tomatoes before time runs out.
Tomato Sandwiches Every Which Way
I’m not sure there’s a more satisfying way to eat a perfectly ripe tomato than a tomato sandwich. It’s a summer essential in my book. Everyone usually has their own go-to, and these are some of our favorites.
Tomato Salads
When summer tomatoes are dripping juice and packed with ripe, sweet flavor, there are few things better than turning them into a simple salad. These salads work with any type of tomato you have on hand, and my absolute favorite is faith’s tomato and cucumber salad with fresh herbs, feta, and red onion.
Tomato Tarts and Pies
Arm yourself with pie dough, a box of frozen puff pastry, or even some pizza dough, and you’re well on your way to turn that bundle of tomatoes into something seriously delicious (and impressive). No matter what form they take, these tomato recipes can work as a summery appetizer or casual summer dinner.
Fresh Tomato Sauces
There’s a time for slow-simmered tomato sauce, but right now, it’s hard to beat fresh tomato sauce. In part because tomatoes are stepping into their prime, and hardly need the heat of the stovetop to coax out extra flavor, but also bc it’s just too hot for keeping the oven on all afternoon.
Pasta with Fresh Tomatoes
You don’t necessarily have to whip up a batch of sauce to enjoy fresh tomatoes with your pasta dinner. We say, toss them right into the bowl or pot of pasta, or onto the sheet with some pillowy gnocchi.
Tomato-Heavy Mains
Want to really make summer-ripe tomatoes the star of the show? You should try a savory tomato cobbler, a tomato and peach pot pie, or a pot of meltingly tender ratatouille.
Chicken and Fish Dinners with Tomatoes
If chicken and fish are just as much a part of your meal plan roster as they are ours, here’s all the ways you can work a bunch of fresh tomatoes into the skillet and onto the plate.