17 Garden-Fresh Tomato Recipes That Showcase This Garden Staple (2024)

We have almost two dozen answers for all those wondering what to do with fresh tomatoes. The fresh tomato recipe ideas ahead, from tomato soup and sandwiches to tomato salads and drinks, combine classics with innovative ways to use the plump garden staple.

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Heirloom Tomato and Green Bean Salad

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Why toss together several picnic salads when you can combine everyone's favorites in one rainbow-hued feast? This heirloom tomato recipe is like a Caprese salad, pasta salad, and bean salad all in one. Fresh mint and parsley perk up the already-vibrant blend of heirloom tomatoes, blanched green beans, tender couscous, and crunchy jicama. Try it as a side or top with grilled shrimp, chicken, or salmon to make this the meal.

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Tomato Pizza Rolls

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Say, "see ya!" to that standard slice. (Just for today!) This fresh tomato recipe idea combines everything you love about fresh-baked bread and pizza in one handheld package. Cherry tomatoes burst with sweet-tangy brightness once roasted atop the puffy bread rolls.

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Fresh Tomato Soup

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You're just 30 minutes away from pairing this tomato recipe with your go-to grilled cheese sandwich. Garden-fresh tomatoes star in this creamy tomato soup. A drizzle of honey and fresh basil add layers of light sweetness to the timeless comfort food.

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Summer Tomato Salad

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Come peak season, heirloom tomato recipes like this will inspire you to let the tomatoes step into the spotlight. Zero cooking is required. Just make the quick-pickled red onions, slice the tomatoes, and toss it all together with a homemade white balsamic dressing and serve it in a patio-friendly bowl (like you'll find in this Better Homes & Gardens 12-Piece Eco-Friendly Bamboo Melamine Dinnerware Set, $26, Walmart). Summer side dishes don't get much fresher than this.

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Bucatini with Shrimp and Spicy Cherry Tomato Pan Sauce

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Seafood fans will definitely want to give this cherry tomato recipe a twirl. Sauté sweet cherry tomatoes in garlic to create a summery sauce that's ideal for tossing with shrimp and pasta. Crushed red pepper adds a pleasant hint of spice.

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Tiny Tomato Pie

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As shepherd's pies and pot pies prove, pies aren't always sweet. When you're wondering what to do with fresh tomatoes, you can't go wrong with this savory pie that calls for piling tiny tomatoes onto a feta and Parmesan crust. As they bake, the tomatoes melt into the tender, flaky crust.

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Two Tomato Bruschetta

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Invite this roma tomato recipe to the party! Your next co*cktail party or picnic, that is, and each batch can be ready in just 15 minutes. Small roma tomatoes are the perfect size for crunchy toasts, and their tangy flavor complements salty feta and sun-dried tomatoes for an irresistible appetizer. Plate them on a tray (like this Better Homes & Garden Galvanized Rectangle Bed Tray, $17, Walmart) so you can easily transport them to your outdoor dining table.

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Spicy Tomato Gin and Tonic

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Sip on a gin and tonic with a kick! If you like savory drinks like vegetable juice or Bloody Mary co*cktails, then this is the cherry tomato recipe to try next happy hour. The spicy drink, spiked with hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce, will entertain with its unique flavor and colorful look.

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Tomato-Edamame Grilled Cheese

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This fresh tomato recipe is not the standard grilled cheese you remember from childhood. Ripe tomatoes and a garlicky soybean spread take the comfort food sandwich to new flavor heights. The leftover spread is a delicious dip or dressing for fresh veggies.

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Grilled Ribeye Steaks with Smoked Tomatoes

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This charred-just-enough heirloom tomato recipe is layered with such rich, smoky flavors, they really stand up to the savory grilled steaks. Try this with vine-ripened tomatoes when they are inexpensive and plentiful. At season's end, try smoking your green tomatoes, too.

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Zoodle Bowls with Tomato Sauce and Sausage

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When fresh tomatoes are in season, ditch the jarred marinara. This fresh tomato recipe puts a huge harvest (4 pounds!) to tasty work in a freezer-friendly, sweet pepper-infused sauce. While you can use it over regular pasta, we prefer this Paleo version made with zoodles for its double dose of summer produce picks. Savory chicken sausage slices round out the restaurant-quality "pasta" dinner.

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Avocado Pesto-Stuffed Tomatoes

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Three appetizer hits join forces in this cherry tomato recipe: pesto, avocado, and tomatoes. But this one-bite treat requires no toast, cook time, or cilantro (welcome news for the cilantro-averse!). For this easy 18-calorie snack, basil pesto blends with avocado and cream cheese for the smooth, luscious filling for the cherry tomatoes.

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Shrimp and Tomato Piccata

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Our goal when we created this fresh tomato recipe idea? Whip up a simple blend of pure flavors in a light seafood piccata that can be savored over cooked pasta or zucchini noodles. Luscious tomatoes, earthy string beans, and savory tender shrimp shine under the subtle lemon and caper sauce.

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Pork and Potatoes with Tomato Relish

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Thinly sliced tomatoes, onion, and vinaigrette combine in a light and juicy topper for this classic meat-and-potatoes dinner that can be on your table 20 minutes from now. The simple relish brightens the flavor of pork, but it could work with almost any meat (any cut of steak tastes great, too!).

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Chicken, Tomato, and Cucumber Salad

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Gluten-free, low in carbs, yet full of flavor, this fresh tomato recipe is one of the most popular on our site. The 25-minute Mediterranean-style salad will change the way you think about quick chicken dinners. (In other words, this is far from the plain ol' chicken breasts!) Fresh tomatoes and cucumbers sing under simple seasonings like thyme and black pepper, and a bit of salty, creamy feta help this healthy entrée feel like a treat.

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Mama's Spicy Meatballs with Fresh Tomato Sauce

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Bring home the flavors of Italy! You'll feel like you've been transported to a nonna's (aka Italian grandma) dinner table in Rome once you taste this traditional tomato sauce recipe: sautéed garlic, fresh roma tomatoes, and a splash of red wine. The roma tomato recipe pairs beautifully with our spicy meatball recipe. Buon appetito!

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Pan-Fried Chicken with Tomato Jam

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Fried chicken gets a less-messy, lower-calorie makeover in this roma tomato recipe. The flavorful stove-top chicken topped with a plum-tomato jam makes an ideal weeknight supper for those who crave fast food and those who are trying to eat a healthful diet. Wilted spinach and creamy polenta round out the meal.