Our Five All-Time Favorite Fresh Tomato Recipes

Effortless summer dinners often start with tomatoes, so we gathered together our five favorite fresh tomato recipes of all time to inspire your cooking this month!

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Dotdash Meredith Creative
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Published August 05, 2019
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Bruschetta with Tomato and Basil
Elise Bauer

This post is brought to you in partnership with California Grown.

At the peak of their season, there's nothing better than cooking (or snacking on) fresh, California tomatoes.

They're delicious on their own and in need of little adornment, but we also have some tried-and-true recipes we turn to each year.

What makes California produce extra special is how devoted the farmers are to growing the ripest, most delicious fruits and veggies (those sun-drenched fields certainly help!), and offering interesting growing varieties that make our meals more colorful and flavorful everyday.

From savory tarts and unforgettable appetizers to salads and quick pizzas, there's something here for every tomato lover!

  • Tomato Ricotta Tart

    Tomato Tart Phyllo Dough
    Aaron Hutcherson

    When tomatoes are at the peak of ripeness, this beautiful tart is a great way to showcase them. Combine thick slices of heirloom tomatoes and cheesy crisp phyllo dough, and everyone's guaranteed to be talking about this one for days.

  • Panzanella Bread Salad

    Panzanella Bread Salad in a glass serving bowl
    Elise Bauer

    When it's just too hot to turn on the oven or when you've got crusty bread to use up, panzanella salad is what's for dinner! With ripe tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and basil, it's a refreshing and hearty summer salad we'll be making on repeat this month.

  • Bruschetta with Tomato and Basil

    Bruschetta with Tomato and Basil
    Elise Bauer

    Need a quick late summer appetizer that's simple to throw together? Bruschetta it is! This crowd favorite is a great candidate for making in advance and assembling right before serving.

  • Cherry Tomato Orzo Salad

    Cherry Tomato Orzo Salad
    Elise Bauer

    Effortless summer dinners often start with ripe tomatoes. Fold crisp cucumbers, salty feta, orzo and oregano into the mix and you've got an unforgettable (but incredibly quick) meal for any day of the week.

    Continue to 5 of 5 below.

  • Mozzarella and Tomato Skillet Pita Pizzas

    Tomato and Mozzarella Skillet Pita Pizzas
    Sheryl Julian

    No one wants to be spending much time standing over the stove in the summer, and that's why kids and adults alike love these speedy skillet pizzas made with fresh tomatoes and mozzarella.