19 Tomato Recipes That Aren't Caprese Salad

By

Jessica Ball, M.S., RD

Published on June 13, 2024

a recipe photo of the Baked Feta & Tomato Portobellos — Photo:
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Julia Levy, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

Don’t get us wrong, we love caprese salad in all shapes and forms. But sometimes, it’s fun to get creative with your tomato dishes—especially as peak summer approaches. Here, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite recipes featuring the fan-favorite vegetable, from sandwiches to gazpachos. Whether you grow them in your garden, frequent the farmer’s market or pick up a pint from the store, dishes like our Tomato-Cucumber Salad with Whipped Feta and our Tomato, Mozzarella & Arugula Sandwich will help you make the most of the season.

01 of 19

Tomato-Cucumber Salad with Whipped Feta Is Peak Summer Perfection

a recipe photo Tomato-Cucumber Salad Over Whipped Feta — Photographer: Stacy k. Allen, Props: Christina Brockman, Food Stylist: Lauren Odum

The feta and cream cheese whip up into a smooth and creamy dip topped with summer-ripe tomatoes and cucumber. Each bite keeps you coming back for more! Opt for feta in brine for the best texture, as pre-crumbled feta tends to lack moisture and can make the dip grainy.

02 of 19

This High-Protein Tomato, Mozzarella & Arugula Sandwich Tastes Like Summer

a recipe photo of the Veggie & Mozzarella Sandwich — Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, prop stylist: LIndsey Lower

This vegetarian sandwich is packed with protein, thanks to creamy fresh mozzarella cheese and plenty of walnuts blended into the roasted red pepper spread. The spread, reminiscent of romesco sauce, is versatile and can also be served as a dip or sauce, adding depth and complexity to dishes like grilled meats, seafood and vegetables, or as a topping for pasta.

03 of 19

Baked Feta & Tomato Portobellos

a recipe photo of the Baked Feta & Tomato Portobellos — Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Julia Levy, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

These easy feta-and-tomato-stuffed portobellos make for a delicious side. Baking the mushrooms stem-side down first allows any excess liquid to release from the mushrooms so it won’t muddy the flavors of your dish. If you don’t have Calabrian chiles, substitute 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper depending on your spice preference.

04 of 19

Tomato, Peach & Feta Salad

Tomato, Peach & Feta Salad — Ted & Chelsea Cavanaugh

This juicy salad is the perfect snack in the height of summer when tomatoes and peaches are at their best.

05 of 19

This Cucumber & Tomato Sandwich Tastes Like Summer

a recipe photo of the Cucumber & Tomato Sandwich — Photographer: Stacy k. Allen, Props: Christina Brockman, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

This herby cucumber and tomato sandwich is crisp and refreshing, making the most out of summer’s produce bounty. Chives add a delicate onion flavor to the cream cheese, but dill or basil can be used in their place.

06 of 19

Tomato-Zucchini Salsa

a recipe photo of the Tomato & Zucchini Salsa — EatingWell

This easy, veggie-packed dip makes a healthy snack or appetizer. Capers add a nice brininess to this salsa. Serve with pita chips or tortilla chips or spoon it over grilled chicken or fish.

07 of 19

Marinated Cucumber & Tomato Salad

Marinated Cucumber & Tomato Salad — Andrea Mathis

This marinated salad is such a healthy way to enjoy those fresh summer veggies and can be easily customized. Try adding in some fresh herbs or feta cheese for a little added flavor. You can also swap in seasoned pepper, which is amped up with additional seasonings, in place of the plain ground pepper for an additional flavor boost.

08 of 19

Chunky Tomato-Avocado Dip

a recipe photo of the Tomato-Avocado Dip — EatingWell

Don’t worry about mashing the avocado until smooth—a coarse texture works best with the chopped tomato. This easy dip makes a quick appetizer or snack. We serve with tortilla chips, but you can also pair with your favorite crackers or pretzels.

09 of 19

Tuna Salad & Tomato Sandwich

a recipe photo of the Tuna Salad & Tomato Sandwich — Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser

This classic deli-style tuna sandwich is packed with protein and topped with a juicy slice of fresh tomato. This recipe makes one sandwich, but you can easily double or quadruple the recipe to make more. Sweet pickle relish adds a contrast of flavors to the mix, but if you prefer something less sweet, dill pickle relish can be used in its place.

10 of 19

Creamy Cucumber, Radish & Tomato Chopped Salad

Creamy Cucumber, Radish & Tomato Chopped Salad

A mix of cool, crunchy vegetables gives this healthy salad a satisfying bite for a perfect potluck side.

11 of 19

Salsa-Topped Avocado Toast

a recipe photo of the Salsa-Topped Avocado Toast — Photography: Carson Downing, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Gabe Greco

Spin leftovers from taco night into this easy salsa-topped avocado toast for a quick snack or use it as a jumping-off point for breakfast by adding an egg on top. Single-serve packages of mashed avocado or guacamole can stand in for the fresh avocado.

12 of 19

One-Pot Tomato Basil Pasta

This one-pot pasta with tangy tomato-basil sauce is a simple, fast and easy weeknight dinner. All of your ingredients go into one pot, and with a bit of stirring and about 25 minutes of cook time, you'll have a healthy dinner the whole family will enjoy.

13 of 19

Chickpea & Tomato Balsamic Salad

chickpea tomato salad — Andrea Mathis, M.A., R.D.N., L.D.

This easy tomato salad recipe gets a satisfying upgrade from chickpeas, which deliver both protein and fiber. The chickpeas quickly turn this simple side into a healthy lunch or dinner, perfect any time of the year. This delicious salad takes just 10 minutes to make and while you could eat it right away, it tastes even better the longer it sits, so plan to leave at least an hour of marinating time before serving.

14 of 19

Easy Tomato Gazpacho

Many gazpacho recipes are thickened with bread, but this easy gazpacho recipe uses just vegetables, making it a gluten-free refresher for a hot summer day. The key to any flavorful gazpacho is giving it time to rest. The flavors meld and become cohesive when the soup is allowed to sit a bit before serving.

15 of 19

Baked Parmesan Tomatoes

A sprinkle of Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil transform tomatoes into the perfect side dish. Or try sandwiching them between slices of your favorite whole-wheat country bread.

16 of 19

Fresh Tomato Salsa

Fresh Tomato Salsa — Jason Donnelly

This easy fresh tomato salsa recipe yields about 5 cups of salsa—plenty to serve a crowd. If you like spicy salsa, use the full amount of jalapeños and add more cayenne pepper. Serve with chips, tacos and more.

17 of 19

Whipped Feta with Roasted Tomatoes

a recipe photo of the Whipped Feta with Roasted Tomatoes — Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Marianne Williams, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

This easy appetizer is a must-have for your next gathering. Roasting the tomatoes brings out their natural sweetness, while the garlic’s sharper flavor gets mellowed out. If you don’t have basil, garnish with oregano or thyme. Toasted whole-wheat baguette scoops up every bit of dip, but you could also serve with sliced veggies.

18 of 19

Pasta with Fresh Tomato Sauce

Pasta with Fresh Tomato Sauce

To avoid a watery sauce, choose tomatoes that are fleshy and have few seeds. Romas (aka plum tomatoes) fit the bill, but there are plenty of heirlooms with a similar flesh-to-seed ratio. The addition of cherry tomatoes brings a burst of sweetness to the dish.

19 of 19

Slow-Roasted Tomatoes

Slowly cooking summer-ripe tomatoes in a low oven makes them candy-sweet. Turn to this recipe to preserve the summer bounty from your garden or farmers' market; it freezes well for up to 6 months. Tuck these tasty bites into sandwiches; stir them into risotto; or chop them and mix with Kalamata olives, olive oil and fresh herbs to scoop up with pita chips.

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