It’s mid-August — or, as it’s known in my house, Tomato Christmas. Finally, we’ve entered that magical, fleeting window when tomatoes are at their absolute peak: juicy, fragrant, and bursting with flavor. It’s the time of year when every tomato dish we’ve been dreaming about all year becomes possible.
For me, it’s all about Nora Ephron sauce. For Jenny (and Joanna!), it’s the classic tomato sandwich. We’ve already done several rounds of both this season, but this year I wanted to expand my repertoire. So, I reached out to a few food pros to find out their favorite ways to enjoy late-summer tomatoes—and now my weekend menu is officially planned.
Tomato-Peach Salad with Mozzarella
Adam Roberts, author of Food Person
Adam’s version is all about balancing sweet, juicy peaches with ripe tomatoes and creamy mozzarella. Start with two or three large heirloom tomatoes, cored and sliced into thick rings. Lay them on a plate. Then slice two peaches or nectarines into wedges and tuck them between the tomato slices. Tear fresh mozzarella into chunks and layer it in as well.
Drizzle with good olive oil, syrupy balsamic vinegar, a sprinkle of Maldon sea salt, and a pinch of Aleppo pepper.
Then comes the fun part: mix together assorted heirloom cherry tomatoes, some halved, some left whole, with chopped red onion and lots of torn green and purple basil. Toss with olive oil, salt, and more balsamic, then scatter this vibrant mixture over the peach, tomato, and mozzarella layers. Add a final flourish of fresh basil for presentation. It’s a salad that’s as gorgeous as it is flavorful.
Tomatoes & Eggs
Bettina Makalintal, Senior Reporter at Eater
Some pairings are classics for a reason—tomatoes and eggs are one of them. Inspired by Kitty Coles’s Make More With Less, Bettina starts her mornings by cooking halved cherry tomatoes with butter and salt until they soften and release their juices.
Then, she uses the same pan to scramble eggs, topping them with the juicy tomatoes. A drizzle of peppery olive oil and a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan bring the dish together. Quick, simple, and perfect for a summer breakfast.
Warm Shrimp Salad with Tomatoes and Butter Beans
Jenny Rosenstrach, author of Dinner: A Love Story
This dish captures the spirit of peak-summer ingredients in a light, satisfying dinner. Start by boiling shrimp in one pot and red potatoes in another, then strain. Cook butter beans until tender and simmer fresh corn for a few minutes. Once cooled, cut the kernels off the cob and toss everything—including shrimp and scallions—into a salad bowl. Drizzle with vinaigrette, mix gently, and serve. It’s fresh, hearty, and full of seasonal flavors.
Caprese Pasta Bake
Hannah Howard, author of Feast and Plenty
Hannah’s Caprese Pasta Bake is a crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for family dinners or potlucks. Boil a pound of short pasta (penne, rigatoni, fusilli) until just shy of al dente, then toss with olive oil. Slice 3–4 large tomatoes (or a couple pints of cherry tomatoes) and rip up half a cup of fresh basil. Tear a ball of mozzarella into chunks.
Layer half the pasta in a lightly oiled baking dish, then top with half the tomatoes and mozzarella and a sprinkle of Parmesan. Repeat with the remaining pasta, tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella, finishing with another sprinkle of Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25–30 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
Tomatoes with Quick-Pickled Onion
Klancy Miller, author of Cooking Solo and For The Culture
For a simple yet striking side, Klancy uses thinly sliced red onions pickled quickly in apple cider vinegar and salt. While the onions pickle, slice fresh tomatoes and chop basil. Combine everything with a drizzle of olive oil and a little of the leftover pickling liquid. It’s an easy, bright dish that’s perfect for picnics, potlucks, or just a casual summer lunch.
This is just a sampling of the ways you can celebrate summer tomatoes—from salads to pasta, from breakfast to dinner. Each dish highlights the tomato’s natural sweetness, juiciness, and versatility. So, whether you’re in the mood for a light salad, a hearty pasta, or a comforting egg dish, there’s a tomato recipe waiting for you.
