28 Plant-Based Recipes to Make the Most of Tomato Season

By Lisa Esile,

Last Updated:

It’s that time of year when tomatoes are cheap, plentiful, and at their seasonal peak. If you find yourself with more juicy tomatoes than you know what to do with, here are some tantalizing and healthy vegan tomato recipes to tickle the taste buds and make the most of this bright and juicy ingredient.

Quick Gnocchi with Zucchini, Tomato, and White Beans in a white pasta bowl on a folded cloth napkin on a light wooden table top

Quick Gnocchi with Zucchini, Tomato, and White Beans

to getting this luscious Italian-style meal on the table in record time. Fresh tomatoes, zucchini, and green garlic create a chunky, aromatic sauce. Add cannellini beans and fresh basil, and you’re ready to devour this piquant pasta that’s perfect for busy weeknights. A fan writes, “[A] quick, delicious, and easy WFPB meal. Thanks for sharing! I will be making this again and again.”
Hearty Pesto Salad with Tomatoes, Farro, and Air-Fried Chickpeas in a large white bowl

Hearty Pesto Salad with Tomatoes, Farro, and Air-Fried Chickpeas

Heirloom tomatoes add color and tangy goodness to this vibrant pesto salad, featuring chewy farro and crispy air-fried chickpeas. A packed-with-flavor spinach and basil pesto does double duty, coating the chickpeas before they’re air-fried and stirred through the salad at the end. Feel free to get creative with the veggies and whole grains you use. A commenter writes, “So delicious! What a great way to add garbanzos. I added some cucumbers to the lettuce and put avocado on top to use more veggies that were here.”
Roasted Vegetable Chowder in white ceramic bowls against a white tabletop

Roasted Vegetable Chowder

In this luscious, made-with-real-ingredients soup, roasted roma tomatoes, bell peppers, and onion are blended until thick, creating a velvety, richly flavored base. Corn, red potatoes, and leafy greens make it chunky like chowder. Drizzle with hot sauce if you like things spicy, or leave it out if serving to kids. (You can always add it at the table.) Serve with a slice of crusty whole grain bread, and get slurping!
Grilled Tofu Kabobs with Rhubarb-Balsamic Glaze and Quinoa Pilaf in a stainless steel pan on a a dark countertop

Grilled Tofu Kabobs with Rhubarb-Balsamic Glaze and Quinoa Pilaf

It’s skewering time! Cherry tomatoes are the perfect shape to push onto skewers alongside cubes of zucchini and tofu. (Be sure to use extra firm so they don't fall apart!) The tangy maple syrup–sweetened glaze, featuring rhubarb and balsamic vinegar, has a charming sweet-sour flavor; it gets brushed over the skewers halfway through grilling. Serve over quinoa and drizzle with the remaining glaze for a fun and tasty meal that makes you feel as if you're dining at a fancy restaurant!
Basil-Leek Pesto Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes and Summer Squash in a white bowl on a cloth napkin in a wooden plate

Basil-Leek Pesto Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes and Summer Squash

Soft and juicy, grilled cherry tomatoes explode with flavor when you bite into them and taste fabulous paired with smoky grilled summer squash. A creamy basil pesto featuring cashews and leek coats every morsel of this pasta with rich flavor. Don't be surprised if you want to lick your plate clean! This healthy tomato recipe is classy enough to serve to guests and easy enough to make any day of the week.
Roasted Tomato and Eggplant Soup in a yellow ceramic bowl with a metal spoon dipped into the soup

Roasted Tomato and Eggplant Soup

Looking for a healthy tomato recipe that tastes amazing? Garlic- and thyme-roasted tomatoes and eggplant add a rich backdrop to this hale and healthy soup, while a can of fire-roasted tomatoes bulks things up and adds a smoky flavor. A traditional version of this soup might use a heavy cream. But in this recipe, a light cashew cream perfectly softens the subtle acidic taste of the tomatoes while keeping the fat content of the soup low. Serve steaming ladles of this luscious tomato soup over wheat berries (or another grain) for a meal that’s as satisfying as it is delicious.
Bulgur-Bean Salad with Tomato Vinaigrette on a gray ceramic plate with a green cloth napkin

Bulgur-Bean Salad with Tomato Vinaigrette

Tomatoes do double duty in this chewy bulgur wheat and mixed bean salad with juicy, quartered cherry tomatoes taking center stage. An out-of-this-world tomato vinaigrette delivers a sweet, acidic kick to tie all the flavors together. Serve over a bed of greens, and don't hold back!
Spicy Corn and Tomato Salad in a yellow serving bowl with metal serving utensils

Spicy Corn and Tomato Salad

In this colorful summery salad, the sweet flavor of corn works well with the rustic tang of in-season tomatoes. Peppery scallions, fresh cilantro, and tart lemon juice brighten the earthy flavors, while chopped jalapeño lends heat. This refreshing corn and tomato salad is excellent eaten on its own or spooned over tortilla chips, plant-based tacos, or whole grain toasts.
Greek-Style Vegan Stuffed Tomatoes in a baking pan, with filling spilling out

Greek-Style Stuffed Tomatoes

The intense flavors of peak-season produce make these stuffed tomatoes tastier than ever. Filled with brown rice, currants, roasted pine nuts, and a choice selection of herbs, they make a scrumptious side dish fit for any occasion.
A hearty, colorful bowl of polenta and mashed sweet potato topped with blistered cherry tomatoes and juicy cremini mushrooms, with a dish of pine nuts on the side

Polenta and Sweet Potato Mash with Mushroom Sauce

In this incredibly satisfying, robust family meal, cherry tomatoes, spinach, and mushrooms are served over mashed sweet potato and polenta. Mathematically speaking, this is comfort food squared!
Vegan Tomato Soup with Chickpeas

Garden Chickpea Tomato Soup

This vibrant summertime soup features chickpeas in a blended base made from tomato, bell pepper, onion, and garlic, topped with pumpkin seeds, quartered cherry tomatoes, and parsley.
Air-Fried Green Tomatoes on a white plate with dipping sauce

Air-Fried Green Tomatoes

In this oil-free take on a Southern classic, unripe green tomatoes are coated in subtly spiced breadcrumbs and fried in an air-fryer to delicious effect: Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, these tasty treats are stealthily healthy. Serve with Creamy Dairy-Free Dill Ranch Dip. Notes a reader, “Totally awesome recipe!”
Cherry Tomato Bruschetta Tartines on a white countertop

Cherry Tomato Bruschetta Tartines

Smarten up your toast-topping repertoire with these delectable sprouted whole grain toasts. Just add a slather of a creamy cannellini bean spread and top with tangy cherry tomatoes, cool cucumber slices, a few beans, and fresh basil to create a nourishing meal or snack. Shares one fan, “A hit in our household!”
Homemade Ketchup in a glass bottle sitting on a wood cutting board next to fresh tomatoes

Fresh Tomato Ketchup

There really is nothing like transforming a box of in-season tomatoes into a delectable sauce, rich with spicy flavor. And it’s easy to do: Most of the work is hands-off, as you let the tomatoes simmer on the stove. Once made, ketchup will keep for 6-8 months if unopened, 1 month when opened.
A bowl of Summer Tomato Soup with Pesto Breadsticks on the side

Quick Summer Tomato Soup with Pesto Breadsticks

Thick and absolutely delicious, this vegan tomato soup features both fresh and canned tomatoes, sweet potato, navy beans, and corn. Serve with twisty pesto breadsticks for a meal that’ll be remembered long after the dishes have been cleared.
Bold red tomato chutney served in a teal stoneware bowl

Tomato Tamarind Chutney

Having chutney on hand is an easy way to boost the flavor of curries, grain bowls, or sandwiches, and making your own is easier than you’d think. Here, the grassy aroma of fresh tomato mingles with the sweet tang of tamarind paste in this flavor-packed homemade chutney. A few toasted cumin seeds and black mustard seeds add complex flavor to tie it all together.
Vegan Ratatouille Baked Penne

Ratatouille Baked Penne

This saucy vegan ratatouille—fragrant with fresh herbs and loaded with veggies, kidney beans, and whole grain pasta—is one for the whole family!
Creamy Avocado Kale Pasta in a white bowl on wooden table next to a small bowl of paprika

Creamy Avocado-Kale Pasta

Fresh asparagus and cherry tomatoes take center stage in this scrumptious pasta dish, which also features a palate-pleasing kale-and-avocado sauce. Writes a reviewer, “This dish is so delicious! I have made it for my family, and they all loved it. If you have a toddler, this dish works very well as they can grab the pasta with their hands and they get a good serving of veggies even if they don’t eat the asparagus and/or tomatoes.”
Chipotle-Watermelon Gazpacho recipe

Chipotle-Watermelon Gazpacho

Equal parts cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and watermelon, this chilled summer soup has a tangy flavor and crunch that’s instantly refreshing. Cumin powder and chipotle chile powder add an earthiness and a pop of heat, while lemon zest, lemon juice, and cilantro give it a zesty lift.
spicy tomato sushi rolls

Spicy Tomato Sushi Rolls

You’ll savor every bite of these vegan sushi. Wrapped in toasted nori sheets, riced butternut squash adds extra sweetness to sticky brown rice and perfectly pairs with the spicy tomato-vegetable filling. Notes a commenter, “These are delicious and the tomatoes make for a wonderful mouth feel instead of meat or fish.”

Roasted Tomato Salsa

Whether you’re entertaining or looking for a movie night snack, this smoky salsa and a batch of homemade baked tortilla chips will have everyone munching happily. And it’s ready in only 20 minutes!
Chickpea and Corn Fritters with Tomato-Corn Chutney on a white platter

Chickpea and Corn Fritters with Tomato-Corn Chutney

These fabulous oven-baked fritters, served with a dollop of homemade tomato and corn chutney, have that going-out-to-brunch feel. The chutney, which features tomato, corn, apples, and sweet onion, needs to be simmered for 10 minutes; it can be prepared while you’re waiting for the fritters to bake.
Sunshine Gazpacho topepd with apple slices and mint in blue bowls on a peach colored tabletop

Sunshine Gazpacho

Golden heirloom tomatoes give this refreshing gazpacho a gorgeous golden hue, while fresh apple gives it a fruity kick. Other tomato varieties would also work, but expect the color to change accordingly. Notes a fan, “Refreshing and delicious. What a creative way to enjoy fresh raw veggies and gazpacho!” Also, check out this Yellow Tomato and Cucumber Gazpacho with Chili-Lime Chips, which includes a recipe for seasoned baked corn chips.
myrna's homemade marinara sauce

Myrna’s Marinara Sauce

Homemade marinara sauce is incredibly handy to have around and a great vehicle for capturing the sweet, sweet fragrance of in-season tomatoes. We love it! I use it wherever marinara sauce is used.”—Christine
Roasting vegetables is an easy way to add flavor to a dish, and, yes, you can absolutely make them for this roasted tomatoes pasta without oil!

Spaghetti with Roasted Tomatoes, Chickpeas, and Basil

For a simple summertime meal, take your favorite whole grain spaghetti, toss through garlicky-roasted tomatoes, chickpeas, and fresh basil, and watch as friends and family wonder who the gourmet chef is.
vegan bruschetta

Sweet Potato Bruschetta with Avocado-Tomato Topping

Bruschetta isn’t just for bread: Sweet potatoes serve as a flavorful base in this plant-packed appetizer. A refreshing mix of veggies and creamy avocado top things off.
vegan buddha bowl

Italian Roasted Vegetable and Wheat Berry Buddha Bowl

This luscious bowl gets twice the tomato goodness, with roasted cherry tomatoes and marinara sauce.
Tomato and Red Pepper Soup

Tomato and Red Pepper Soup

Tomato plays beautifully with another MVP of summer produce—red bell pepper—in this satisfying soup.

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