26 Fresh Tomato Recipes to Make While the Picking is Good

Recipe: Best-Ever Succotash

There's no suffering with this succotash—it's quick, easy, and delicious. Succotash is hearty enough to be not only a light entrée but also a blue-ribbon accompaniment to fish, fried chicken, or grilled pork chops. This recipe brings together some of our favorite Southern vegetables, including lima beans, corn, cherry tomatoes, and sweet onion. You'll want to throw in some crumbled bacon because that simply makes it more delicious. 

Recipe: Fried Green Tomatoes

Fried green tomatoes are a Southern delicacy. In fact, they're so well known they appear in the title of a well-known book. Add this recipe to your repertoire for a no-fail crowd pleaser that will be a winner with friends and family no matter what the occasion. You'll want to fry these until they're golden brown and crispy. 

Recipe: Pasta with Marinated Tomatoes

You'll savor every bite of this dish, which combines beautifully marinated tomatoes with the al dente deliciousness of penne pasta. This shape of pasta is a tube with a hole in the center which is great for grabbing and absorbing sauce, so it is perfect for this recipe. 

Recipe: Marinated Watermelon Tomato Salad

Few fruits and vegetables say summer more than tomatoes and watermelon, and goat cheese crumbles creaminess.  After the tomatoes and melon soak up the tangy vinaigrette, just gently toss into a salad bowl to serve as a fresh side for grilled meats. And the extra hit of freshness that you can't quite put your finger on? That's the taste of fresh mint, bringing in just a little sharpness and more fresh sweetness to this treat.

Recipe: Mini Tomato Sandwiches with Bacon Mayonnaise

This is a gorgeous, mini approach to the classic tomato sandwich. Beefsteak and yellow heirloom tomatoes are the basics for this simple sandwich. Add in mayonnaise and bacon, and you've created delicious delights for any outdoor picnic, baby shower, or church brunch. 

Recipe: Heirloom Tomato Pie

We raised the ante on your Grandma's tomato pie with an Heirloom studded stunner that makes the most of your favorite Dukes Mayonnaise. Inside, layers of tomatoes topped with a mixture of bacon, plenty of cheese and herbs to tie it all together. You'll love the flavor and texture of this incredible handmade crust too. For best results, we suggest that roast the tomatoes to drain excess water before baking. 

Recipe: Slow-Roasted Cherry Tomato Bruschetta

This recipe is the easiest way to make use of an overabundance of cherry tomatoes. Roasting concentrates the sweetness and makes the fruit jammy and rich. You don't want the tomatoes to break down completely in the oven; they should still hold their shape. Once they have cooled a bit, you can easily remove and discard the skins. Or leave them on, and serve as is.

Recipe: Fusilli Pasta with Spinach, Tomato, and Bacon

You won't have to encourage gets to get started as soon this colorful dish hits the table. This simple sheet pan pasta incorporates cherry tomatoes, spinach, bacon, and shredded Italian cheese and uses refrigerated Alfredo sauce to keep things simple. Plus, the coils of the Fusilli pasta are sure to grab onto the sauce for tomato-filled flavor in every bite.

Recipe: Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad

This fresh, seasonal salad is one of the easiest ways to show off peak season summer flavor. With just 7 ingredients, you'll be the hostess with the mostess when you add this combination of tomatoes, basil, and fresh mozzarella cheese to your party spread. 

Recipe: Tomato Tea Sandwiches

Just like Grandma's, but better, these Tomato Tea Sandwiches offer a slight twist to the Southern luncheon staple. Sliced tomatoes combine with a summer sauce that you'll want to use on everything from salads to sandwiches all season  long. It gives these tomato sandwiches something extra. These work wonders on any party menu, so serve these quick and easy finger sandwiches at your next summer gathering. 

Recipe: Crusty Broiled Tomatoes

This simple recipe brings together the fresh taste of tomatoes with the savory-flavors of Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs . First delicately seasoned with salt and pepper and topped with mustard, these treats are popped under the broiler for a few minutes to emerge with the cheese and crumbs well browned and the tomatoes warmed. 

Recipe: Tomato, Peach, and Corn Salad

This recipe keeps it simple with a few savory ingredients. Tangy feta cheese pairs perfectly with the sweetness of beefsteak tomato wedges, honey vinaigrette, corn, and peaches for the ultimate summer side.  What you'll love about this salad is the chunks of feta—they're bold, and they add creaminess to every tomato-filled taste and complement the confetti-like produce in every bite.

Recipe: Grilled Baby Zucchini-and-Tomato Salad

This salad brings together some of the great tastes of summer—tomatoes and zucchini, with some of our other favorite tastes. One of these is sourdough croutons, because a few crispy carbs are a great add to any salad. If you're lucky enough to find baby zucchini at the market, this is the perfect way to show it off. If not, any fresh zucchini will do. We add a zingy mustard-and-shallot vinaigrette to top it off. 

Recipe: The SL BLT

This hearty sandwich celebrates the flavorful simplicity of a beloved summer recipe. Easy to assemble anytime for a quick bite but substantial enough to serve at any casual party, this grilled version of the lunchtime classic is best with thick-cut bacon to avoid crumbles. 

Recipe: Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwiches

Fans of this famous Kentucky dish will dig in to this homemade sandwich. Open-faced and similar to The Brown Hotel's original sandwich, this recipe layers thinly sliced turkey breast, a smooth Mornay sauce, crisp bacon, and of course, fresh tomatoes. 

Recipe: Okra and Chickpeas in Fresh Tomato Sauce

The king and queen of Southern farmer's markets, okra and tomatoes are a timeless summer treat. Here we add chickpeas to the mix for a trio that's as flavorful as it is filling. Serve it on the side of grilled chicken or bbq ribs. Either way, it's sure to be a crowd-pleaser. 

Recipe: Smoked-Tomato Salsa

Turn Taco Tuesday up a notch with a freshly smoked salsa that beats anything you'll find in the pantry. This simple salsa has a depth of flavor that's achieved by smoking jalapeños and tomatoes. Fair warning: you're sure to go through a whole bag of tortilla chips with this dip on the table. 

Recipe: Heirloom Tomato Salad with Herbs

Make this simple, stunning tomato salad in the height for summer for a centerpiece-worthy side that just might steal the spotlight from any BBQ main. Heirloom tomatoes and cherry tomatoes tango in this recipe, though it doesn't matter what kind of tomatoes you use. It's all ready to serve in less than 30 minutes–no cooking needed. 

Recipe: Kentucky Hot Brown Casserole

If you were planning a classic Southern meal, you'll want to include this Kentucky Hot Brown Casserole. A baked take on the classic open-faced sandwich, this casserole is dotted with diced tomatoes and filled with turkey and bacon. It's sure to top your list of comfort food favorites. 

Recipe: Tomato Carbonara

Indulge in a plate full of pasta that's so good it deserves at checkered table cloth. The trick to the best homemade pasta sauce? Save some of your pasta cooking water to help season your sauce. The salty, starchy liquid will help it cling to your noodles. 

Recipe: Tomato 'n' Beef Casserole with Polenta Crust

Ready in under an hour, this quick-fix supper is cheesy and hearty enough to please the whole family. The cornmeal crust sets this meaty main apart from other casseroles, and the bubbly, cheesy topping will delight even the pickiest of eaters. 

Recipe: Seared Scallops with Fresh Tomato-Basil Orzo 

 A restaurant-worthy seafood dinner straight from your own kitchen, this dish is best made with dry-packed scallops, which are packed without extra water or preservatives. This helps them brown nicely. Want a break from pasta? You can easily substitute grits or rice or orzo. No matter what you serve these scallops on, the fresh tomato-basil sauce is a must. 

Recipe: Pasta with Shrimp and Tomato Cream Sauce

A colorful selection of cherry or grape tomatoes makes for one bright penne. These smaller, fruiter-tasting tomatoes only a few minutes in a hot pan before they soften and release their naturally sweet juices. 

Recipe: Roasted Tomato Macaroni and Cheese

The kids will love that we don't skimp on the cheese in this family-favorite recipe. Luxuriously cheesy but still quick and easy, this classic mac and cheese is made better with the addition of freshly slicked tomatoes scattered on top. 

Recipe: Tomato Salad with Grilled Shrimp

Two pounds of large shrimp, cooked to perfection on the grill, bring a sweet richness to this salad. Toss them with a vinaigrette filled with fresh herbs, and it will only enhance their delicate flavor and subtle smokiness. The tomatoes add a little sweetness to this salad, so be sure to choose those that are fresh and ripe. Look for beautiful and tasty heirloom tomatoes in a rainbow of colors at your local farmers' market, and keep them at room temperature until you're ready to slice and serve them. The same vinaigrette that seasons the shrimp also makes the tomatoes tart yet delicate. Tomato Salad with Grilled Shrimp is a great fresh take on seasonal seafood.

Recipe: Pickled Tiny Tomatoes

This is a great way to pickle tomatoes when you want the taste and flavors of pickled tomatoes without having to put up a whole batch. Use a mixture of baby tomatoes such as 'Sweet 100,' 'Yellow Pear,' or 'Sun Gold'—all are available at farmers' markets in summer months. This dish uses 3 pints of tomatoes, but feel free to halve the recipe. If you want to add a little extra spice to your pickled tomatoes, you can peel and slice some fresh ginger, and add it in with the other ingredients while you are preparing your pickling spice. With or without the ginger, keep these in an airtight container in the refrigerator and these Pickled Tiny Tomatoes will taste great for up to two weeks.