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Is your garden full of ripening juicy, delicious fresh tomatoes? My garden is producing lots of tomatoes, and I decided to go looking for new fresh tomato recipes to try! I have gathered 31 of the Best Fresh Tomato Recipes to help you create delicious, nutritious meals with your Summer bounty of ripe tomatoes!

31 best fresh tomato recipes title with 9 images of tomatoe dishes along with simply happy foodie.com logo

31 Best Fresh Tomato Recipes

Every year I grow tomatoes. Usually 3 or more varieties as I like to try different sizes and colors. Last year was the first year in ages that I didn’t plant any, and I regretted it! Never again!! The garden is full of ripening tomatoes right now, and I’ve been on the hunt for the best fresh tomato recipes to highlight them.

The food blogging community I belong to is very collaborative, and when I asked them to share their best fresh tomato recipes to share with you, they delivered! It was hard to choose, so I decided to give you a variety of categories, and cover several methods of preparing garden fresh tomatoes.

tomatoes on a vine
If you need a little help growing tomatoes in your garden, Sunset Magazine has some good tips.

Best Fresh Tomato Recipes – Appetizers

Four Bruschetta on a white plate with fresh basil
Bruschetta
Simply Happy Foodie

Several Easy Caprese salad skewers
4 Ingredient Caprese Salad Skewers
Food Meanderings

Ratatouille in a small white bowl with some spread on french bread on a platter with different cheeses, olives, cherries, and nutsInstant Pot Ratatouille Paint The Kitchen Red

Two Welsh Rarebit next to a silver fork and knife
Welsh Rarebit
Pinch and Swirl

several tomato bites on a white platter
Chicken Stuffed Tomato Bites
Binky’s Culinary Carnival


Best Fresh Tomato Recipes – Condiments & Sauce

Marinara Fresh Tomato Sauce in a white bowl next to tomatoes and a red gingham napkin
Instant Pot Marinara Fresh Tomato Sauce
Simply Happy Foodie

Peach Pico De Gallo Tomato Salsa in a glass bowl
Peach Pico de Gallo Tomato Salsa
The Kitchen Girl

chipotle corn and bacon salsa in a red bowlChipotle Bacon and Corn Salsa Dip Recipe Creations

Fresh Tomato Summer Pasta Sauce over noodles on a white plate with a silver spoon and fork
Fresh Tomato Summer Pasta Sauce
What A Girl Eats

Homemade Basic Tomato Sauce in a small canning jar next to a green herb and canning jar lids
Homemade Basic Tomato Sauce
Syrup and Biscuits

Roma Tomato Sauce in a small canning jar next to a large pot of sauce
Roma Tomato Sauce
Brooklyn Farm Girl


Fresh Tomato Recipes – Soups

Fresh Tomato Basil Soup topped with croutons and fresh basil, in a white bowl
Instant Pot Fresh Tomato Basil Soup Simply Happy Foodie

roasted tomato soup in a white bowl with a spoon
Roasted Tomato Soup
I Am A Honey Bee

Two bowls of easy tomato basil soup in front of a loaf of bread on a wooden cutting board
Easy Tomato Basil Soup
A Virtual Vegan

Two white bowls of easy Gazpacho Soup topped with sliced jalapeno
Easy Gazpacho Soup
Everyday Eileen


Fresh Tomato Recipes – Salads

Caprese Orzo Salad in a white bowl
Caprese Orzo Salad
Simply Happy Foodie

Blueberry Caprese Salad on a white platter next to a bowl of blueberries
Blueberry Caprese Salad
Bakersbeans

Classic Caprese Salad on a white plate on a wooden background
Classic Caprese Salad
Inside The Rustic Kitchen

Garden Veggie Tortellini Pasta Salad in a glass bowl with a wooden spoon
Garden Veggie Tortellini Pasta Salad
Peas and Crayons

Heirloom Tomato salad with Basil Capers Feta on a white plate
Heirloom Tomato Salad with Basil, Capers and Feta
Flavour and Savour

Summer Corn Salad in a white bowl
Summer Corn Salad
Cooking with Carlee


Fresh Tomato Recipes – Entrees

Six Pesto Spinach Quinoa Stuffed Tomatoes in a white baking dish
Pesto Spinach Quinoa Stuffed Tomatoes
Stacey Homemaker

Tomato, garlic, and prawn spaghetti on a white and turquoise plate next to cherry tomatoes and potted plant
Tomato, Garlic and Prawn Spaghetti
Hungry Healthy Happy

Cheesy Tomato Biscuit Casserole in a glass baking dish
Cheesy Tomato Biscuit Casserole
4 Sons ‘R’ Us

chicken feta spinach pasta in a gray stoneware bowlChicken Feta Spinach Pasta Salt and Lavender

Summer tomato pasta on a weight and beige stoneware plate with silver fork
Summer Tomato Pasta
My Kitchen Love


Best Fresh Tomato Recipes – Side Dishes

several cinnamon allspice baked tomatoes on a white plate
Baked Cinnamon and Allspice Tomatoes
Recipes From a Pantry

Ratatouille Tian in a blue skillet
Ratatouille Tian
Champagne Tastes

Two white pates of Cheesy Roasted Hasselback Tomatoes
Cheesy Roasted Hasselback Tomatoes
spabettie

Six Herb Crusted Baked Tomatoes on a wooden board
Herb Crusted Baked Tomatoes
Spend with Pennies

spicy roasted green beans tomatoes on a baking sheet
Roasted Spicy Green Beans and Tomatoes
Simply Happy Foodie

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Benefits of Cooking with Fresh Tomatoes

    Cooking with fresh tomatoes offers a range of benefits that contribute to flavor, nutrition, and culinary versatility. Here are some advantages of using fresh tomatoes in your cooking:

  • Fresh Flavor: Fresh tomatoes have a vibrant, natural taste that can’t be replicated by canned or processed tomatoes. Their juiciness, sweetness, and acidity add depth and complexity to dishes.
  • Nutrient Rich: Fresh tomatoes are packed with essential nutrients like vitamin C, potassium, folate, and antioxidants like lycopene. These nutrients can support overall health, boost immunity, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
  • Lycopene Content: Lycopene, a powerful antioxidant found in tomatoes, has been associated with various health benefits, including reducing the risk of certain cancers and promoting heart health.
  • Texture: Fresh tomatoes have a pleasing texture that adds variety to dishes. Their mix of pulp and seeds can contribute to a more satisfying mouthfeel.
  • Cooking Versatility: Fresh tomatoes can be used in a wide range of dishes, from salads and salsas to sauces, soups, and stews. They can be roasted, sautรฉed, blended, or eaten raw, offering numerous culinary options.
  • Control Over Ingredients: When using fresh tomatoes, you have complete control over the quality of ingredients and can avoid additives or preservatives often found in canned tomato products.
  • Aromatic Compounds: Fresh tomatoes contain aromatic compounds that contribute to the overall aroma and flavor profile of dishes. Cooking with fresh tomatoes can enhance the sensory experience of your meals.
  • Personalization: Different varieties of fresh tomatoes offer varying flavors, colors, and textures. This allows you to choose tomatoes that best suit the specific taste and appearance you want in your dishes.
  • Culinary Creativity: Fresh tomatoes provide a canvas for experimentation in the kitchen. You can explore different cooking methods and flavor combinations to create unique and memorable dishes.
  • Local and Seasonal Appeal: Using fresh, locally sourced tomatoes in your cooking can promote seasonal eating, support local farmers, and reduce the carbon footprint associated with transporting canned or processed foods.
  • Natural Acidity: The natural acidity of fresh tomatoes can help balance flavors in dishes, add brightness to sauces, and cut through rich or fatty ingredients.
  • Thermal Processing Benefits: Cooking fresh tomatoes can release certain nutrients, making them more bioavailable. For instance, heating tomatoes helps break down cell walls and enhances the release of lycopene.
  • Overall, cooking with fresh tomatoes can elevate the taste, nutritional value, and overall enjoyment of your meals, making them an excellent choice for a wide range of culinary uses.

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Sandy wearing a black shirt and a red apron

Hi, Iโ€™m Sandy!

My style of cooking is casual, uncomplicated (most of the time, if I can get out of my own way!), and everything is made from my heart. I hope my recipes will help you get the meal on the table a little easier, so you can enjoy the time with your tribe.

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8 Comments

  1. Jenn Peas and Crayons says:

    Ahhhh YUM! I cannot wait to try them all – we have so many tomatoes right now!! Thanks for the feature!

  2. Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says:

    So many tasty recipes – I must try some of them.! Thanks for including my baked tomatoes

  3. Samantha | My Kitchen Love says:

    So many inspiring recipes for summer tomatoes! Thanks for including my Summer Tomato Pasta!

  4. Natasha @ Salt & Lavender says:

    Thanks for including my pasta recipe in your roundup! Fresh tomatoes straight out of the garden are the BEST!

  5. Marissa says:

    Fresh tomatoes are one of my favorite things about summer. So versatile – just look at this lineup! I want to try everything!

  6. Beth says:

    What a HUGE group of fresh tomatoes recipes! I should take a picture of the tomatoes I picked tonight! It is only half of what I have to pick! I will need every one of these! Thanks for including mine, as well!

  7. Jackie/SyrupAndBiscuits says:

    Thanks for including us in this great roundup. So many great tomato recipes!

  8. Cynthia | What A Girl Eats says:

    Who doesn’t love tomatoes? What a lovely collection of tomato recipes to take advantage of the summer’s harvest!