If your kitchen is full of tomatoes and you’re not sure what to do next, you’re in the right spot. It doesn’t matter if they came from your garden, the market, or a generous neighbor, there’s a good chance you’ve got more than you can eat fresh. From quick sides to easy dinners, they make extra tomatoes disappear fast.
Ratatouille with an Italian Flair. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad
This fresh and crunchy mix brings together juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and salty pita chips for a quick and flavorful bowl. A simple dressing ties everything together without taking over, and it’s ready in minutes. Make a big batch and watch how fast it disappears.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad
Hearts of Palm Salad
Mild hearts of palm pair perfectly with sweet tomatoes and cool cucumber in this light and easy mix. It needs just a splash of dressing and comes together without much fuss. Try this when you want something fresh that doesn’t feel like the same old salad.
Get the Recipe: Hearts of Palm Salad
Caprese Panini
Melty mozzarella, sliced tomatoes, and fresh basil come together in a warm sandwich that’s crisp on the outside and soft inside. It’s simple to make and tastes like something you’d get from a café. Skip the takeout and press one of these for lunch today.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Panini
Tomato Quinoa Salad
This salad brings together fluffy quinoa, crunchy cucumber, and juicy tomatoes in a bowl that’s full of texture and bright flavors. A light dressing adds the right amount of tang without making it soggy. Keep this one on repeat when you want something fast, filling, and fresh.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Quinoa Salad
Ratatouille with an Italian Flair
Tomatoes cook down low and slow with soft vegetables until everything turns rich and tender. It smells great while simmering and tastes even better the next day. Let your tomatoes shine in this easy one-pan meal that works warm or cold.
Get the Recipe: Ratatouille with an Italian Flair
Simple Pasta with Tomatoes and Ricotta
Sweet tomatoes break down into a light sauce that coats every noodle, and dollops of ricotta make it creamy without being too heavy. It’s fast enough for a weeknight but still feels a little special. Make this when you want an easy dinner that uses what’s already in your kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Simple Pasta with Tomatoes and Ricotta
Grown-Up Mac and Cheese
Roasted tomatoes add just enough sweetness to balance the cheesy sauce in this comfort food favorite. It feels cozy and familiar, but with a little more flavor in every bite. If your tomatoes are starting to pile up, throw a few in your next batch and thank yourself later.
Get the Recipe: Grown-Up Mac and Cheese
Tomato Tart
Thin slices of tomato sit on a flaky crust with herbs and cheese in a dish that looks fancy but takes little effort. The tomatoes soften in the oven and soak up all the flavor while the crust stays crisp. Bake this when you want something that feels special without spending all day in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Tart
Spinach Caprese Salad
Juicy tomatoes, soft mozzarella, and crisp spinach make this salad feel light but full of flavor. It’s ready in minutes and needs only a quick dressing to bring it all together. Put this on the table when you need something easy that still tastes fresh and bright.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Caprese Salad
Veggie Pasta Salad
Sweet tomatoes, crisp corn, and salty feta come together with pasta in a bowl that’s just as good cold as it is right after mixing. It’s the kind of thing that keeps well and travels easily, whether for lunch or a picnic. Toss this together when you want a dish that’s fast, filling, and full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Veggie Pasta Salad
Chunky Guacamole
Mash ripe avocados with smoky roasted tomatoes for a dip that’s full of bold flavor and perfect for scooping with chips or veggies. The tomatoes bring a rich, deep taste that mixes smoothly with the creamy avocado base. If you’ve got too many tomatoes on hand, this easy dip is a fast way to make them the highlight of snack time.
Get the Recipe: Chunky Guacamole
Tomato Basil Biscuit Cups
Fill biscuit dough with a mix of fresh tomatoes and chopped basil, then bake until they turn soft and golden on top. They’re fun to pull apart and share, with a light herby flavor that makes them feel a little different from the usual snacks. These biscuit cups are an easy pick when you need a quick way to use up tomatoes and still want something warm and homemade.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Basil Biscuit Cups
Avocado Tomato Salad
Toss creamy avocado chunks and juicy tomato slices with a light dressing for a side that feels smooth, fresh, and full of color. This one’s ready in minutes and goes with just about any meal, especially when you want something light but still satisfying. When your tomato pile starts growing, this simple salad is the perfect no-cook fix.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Tomato Salad
Slow Roasted Italian Tomatoes
Roast your tomatoes low and slow until they turn soft, sweet, and packed with flavor that’s perfect for topping toast, pasta, or salads. The oven does most of the work while you get deep flavor without much effort. This is a no-stress way to turn a mountain of ripe tomatoes into something you’ll want to keep in the fridge all week.
Get the Recipe: Slow Roasted Italian Tomatoes
Oven Roasted Tomato Soup
Roast tomatoes first, then blend them into a soup that’s smooth, rich, and full of warmth in every spoonful. The roasting brings out their sweetness and adds a deep, homemade taste that canned soup just can’t match. This is a smart way to use a bunch of tomatoes and still end up with something cozy and simple.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Tomato Soup
Marinated Tomatoes
Soak thick tomato slices in olive oil, vinegar, garlic, and herbs until they turn bright, tangy, and packed with flavor. They’re great added to sandwiches, salads, or just served on toast with a little salt. When tomatoes are piling up faster than you can eat them, this quick marinade makes them last longer and taste even better.
Get the Recipe: Marinated Tomatoes
Shrimp and Tomato Pasta
Cook juicy tomatoes and shrimp in one pan, letting the tomatoes melt into a light, fresh sauce that clings to every noodle. The dish comes together fast but tastes like you spent more time on it than you did. This is the kind of meal that clears out your tomato stash without feeling like leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp and Tomato Pasta
Tomato Egg Drop Soup
Simmer tomatoes in a simple broth and swirl in beaten eggs to make a soup that’s silky, light, and done in no time. The flavor stays clean and comforting, with just a few ingredients that go a long way. When your tomatoes are ripe and ready, this fast soup is an easy win.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Egg Drop Soup
Penne with Salmon and Cherry Tomatoes
Sauté cherry tomatoes with salmon, thyme, and a splash of white wine for a pasta that’s light, juicy, and full of flavor. The tomatoes burst just enough to make a gentle sauce that doesn’t overpower the fish. If you want a dinner that feels fresh and clears out the tomato bowl, this one’s a sure thing.
Get the Recipe: Penne with Salmon and Cherry Tomatoes
Baked Tomatoes with Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese
Stuff halved tomatoes with cheese and herbs, then bake until bubbly and golden with crispy edges and soft centers. The Parmesan gives a little crunch on top while the mozzarella turns gooey and rich underneath. This is a warm and easy side that puts a big dent in your tomato supply without making extra work.
Get the Recipe: Baked Tomatoes with Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese
Bacon Tomato Avocado Cucumber Boats
Fill crisp cucumber halves with creamy mashed avocado, juicy chopped tomatoes, and crunchy bits of bacon for a snack that’s light but satisfying. A sprinkle of Everything Bagel seasoning brings a salty, savory touch that pulls all the flavors together. This is a fun way to use up tomatoes when you want something cool and easy to throw together.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Tomato Avocado Cucumber Boats
Tomato Mozzarella Baked Chicken
Top chicken breasts with thick slices of tomato, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil before baking until everything melts together. The tomatoes soften in the oven and soak into the meat, making every bite juicy and full of flavor. This is a great dinner idea when your tomatoes are ready to go and you want something simple but full of color.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Mozzarella Baked Chicken
Summer Orzo Salad
Toss orzo pasta with chopped cherry tomatoes, crunchy cucumber, and a bright vinaigrette for a salad that’s refreshing and full of texture. It’s quick to make and keeps well in the fridge, making it a solid choice for lunches or side dishes. When tomatoes are at their peak, this is the kind of salad you’ll want to make again and again.
Get the Recipe: Summer Orzo Salad
Stuffed Tomatoes
Scoop out large tomatoes and fill them with a savory mix of meat and herbs, then bake until everything turns tender and bubbly. The tomato shells hold everything in place while adding sweetness to every bite. If your counter is full of tomatoes, this is a cozy and filling way to put them to good use.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Tomatoes
Bruschetta Al Pomodoro
Chop tomatoes and basil, then spoon them onto slices of toasted bread for a snack that’s juicy, crispy, and full of bold flavor. The mix is simple but tastes like something you’d get at a restaurant. When tomatoes are looking good, this is one of the fastest and best ways to enjoy every bite.
Get the Recipe: Bruschetta Al Pomodoro
Classic Roasted Tomato Crostini with Whipped Feta
Top toasted bread with soft roasted tomatoes and creamy whipped feta for a bite that’s warm, savory, and full of contrast. The rich cheese balances the bright tomatoes, and a drizzle of herbs adds a fresh finish. This is the kind of quick recipe that makes your tomato haul feel extra special without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Classic Roasted Tomato Crostini with Whipped Feta
Wheat Berry Salad with Tuna and Tomatoes
Mix chewy wheat berries with chunks of tuna, juicy tomatoes, and a light lemon dressing for a hearty but fresh meal. It packs well for lunches and holds up great in the fridge, which makes it a smart prep-ahead dish. When you’ve got extra tomatoes, this is a great way to turn them into a satisfying and balanced bite.
Get the Recipe: Wheat Berry Salad with Tuna and Tomatoes
Green Bean Tomato Salad
Toss crisp green beans with juicy tomato pieces and a simple dressing for a side that’s full of crunch, color, and clean flavor. It only takes a handful of ingredients, but every bite is packed with freshness. If your tomato bowl is overflowing, this easy salad makes them shine with almost no work.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Tomato Salad
Tomato Burrata Salad
Layer thick slices of tomato with creamy burrata and finish with a drizzle of balsamic for a plate that feels rich but still fresh. The combination of soft cheese and juicy tomatoes is simple but always satisfying. When tomatoes are at their best, this is the easiest way to show them off in just a few minutes.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Burrata Salad
Chinese Tomato Beef Egg
Stir-fry beef with scrambled eggs and fresh tomatoes in one pan for a savory dish that’s fast, filling, and full of rich flavor. The sauce is light but tasty, and the tomatoes break down just enough to coat everything. When you’re in the mood for something different, this is a fast way to use up tomatoes and make a full meal.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Tomato Beef Egg
Eggplant Tomato Stacks
Grill slices of eggplant and stack them with juicy tomato rounds, then drizzle with balsamic and top with herbs for a soft and savory bite. Each layer brings a different texture, and the whole stack feels hearty without being heavy. This is a fresh and fun way to use up tomatoes when you want something that looks good and tastes even better.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Tomato Stacks