Tomato Recipes

Tomato recipes range from fresh salads and salsas to sauces, soups, pasta, pizza, and slow-cooked world dishes. Use fresh tomatoes for raw dishes, paste or Roma tomatoes for sauce, and canned tomatoes for soups and braises. Browse every recipe by type and cuisine below.

Find the right tomato recipe

How do you choose tomatoes for recipes?

Choose the tomato to match the dish. Use ripe cherry, heirloom, or slicing tomatoes for fresh salads and sandwiches. Use meaty Roma or plum tomatoes for sauce because they are low in water. Use canned tomatoes for soups, stews, and braises, where convenience and consistency matter most.

Fresh vs canned tomatoes: which is better?

Fresh tomatoes win for raw dishes like salads and salsa. Canned tomatoes win for cooked dishes like soups and sauces, and they are available year-round. For blended or simmered recipes, either works, so pick by season and convenience.

Tomato recipe FAQs

What tomatoes are best for sauce?

Plum and Roma tomatoes are best for sauce because they are meaty and low in water. Good canned tomatoes also work very well.

What tomatoes are best for salads?

Cherry, grape, heirloom, and ripe slicing tomatoes are best for salads because they taste good raw and hold their shape when cut.

What is the easiest tomato recipe for beginners?

A simple tomato sauce, tomato salad, or salsa is the easiest start. Each needs few ingredients and shows how tomatoes behave in cooking.

What can I make with lots of tomatoes?

With extra tomatoes, make sauce, soup, or salsa, or roast and dry them. These methods use large amounts quickly and cut waste.