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Home » Vegan Main Dishes

Published: Jun 18, 2021 by Jim Mee Sha · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

20 Easy Vegan Dinner Recipes using Tomatoes

Wondering what to do with a bunch of ripe summer tomatoes? Check out these amazing dinner recipes featuring tomatoes! They are incredibly easy to make, and are naturally vegan too.

A collage of marinara sauce in pan, stuffed tomatoes, Mexican rice in plate and pasta salad with fork.

Tomatoes are seriously one of my favorite ingredients to work with! They are incredibly versatile, and can be added to almost any dishes.

Jump to:
  • 🍅Choosing the perfect tomatoes
  • ❄Storing tomatoes
  • 🌿Substituting canned tomatoes for fresh
  • ❔Commonly asked questions
  • 🥗Appetizers and salads
  • 🍜Pasta, rice and other mains
  • 🍲Soups and stews
  • 🍝Sauces
  • 🍽More vegan dinner recipes

🍅Choosing the perfect tomatoes

Although tomatoes are an all-year round vegetables (OK fine, fruit), you can find the best and juiciest ones at the peak of summer. Here are a few tips to pick tomatoes so you won't end up with a watery flavorless disappointment.

  • Appearance - A good tomato should be vibrant and red in color, without any discoloration, dark spots or bruises. The skin should be smooth and not wrinkled. If possible, look for vine-ripened or locally grown ones as they will be more flavorful.
  • Touch - Give tomatoes a gentle squeeze and it should be firm, but not rock hard. Do also take note of their weight. The heavier the tomato, the juicier it is.
  • Smell - Give it a sniff at the stem end. The stronger the sweet, earthy smell, the more flavorful the tomato tends to be.

❄Storing tomatoes

Now that you have chosen a bunch of ripe juicy tomatoes, it is important that you know how to store them properly to preserve their freshness.

Ripe tomatoes - Store them in a shaded area in your pantry away from sunlight, stem side down in one layer. Consume within 3-4 days.

You can also refrigerate them, but do place them on the top shelf near the door, where it tends to be warmer. They can last up to a week.

Let them warm up to room temperature before using to regain some of their flavor and richness loss during refrigeration.

Unripe or green tomatoes - Place them in a paper bag, stem side down at room temperature until they ripen fully. You can now use them immediately, or move them to a cooler spot for storage.

3 tomatoes arranged on a grey background.

🌿Substituting canned tomatoes for fresh

A few of the recipe below calls for canned tomatoes. The best option is to use what the recipe suggest, but you can also use fresh ones in place, especially if you are looking to use up your tomatoes!

Do make sure to wash and diced up your tomatoes into small cubes before incorporating them into the recipe.

  • If the recipe calls for 1 28 oz can diced tomatoes, you will need about 10-12 whole tomatoes, or about 2 pounds (900g). You can also substitute it with 2 cups of freshly diced tomatoes.
  • If a 14 oz can diced tomato is needed, use 5-6 whole fresh tomatoes, or about a pound (450g). Or, substitute it with a cup of freshly diced tomatoes.

❔Commonly asked questions

Can I freeze them?

Yes, tomatoes can be frozen and will last in the freezer for a solid year.

To freeze, first wash, pat dry and core your tomatoes. Then, place them on a baking tray and place it in the freezer for a couple of hours, or until frozen. You can now transfer them to any freezer bags or containers before freezing them.

Before using, let frozen tomatoes defrost in the fridge overnight. They can be added into soups, stews or be use to make sauces.

How long do they last in the fridge?

If stored properly, ripe tomatoes will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Do make sure to let refrigerated tomatoes warm up to room temperature before using to regain some of their flavors loss during refrigeration.

Should I wash them before storing?

No, do not wash tomatoes before storing them. Dampness will encourage the growth of bacteria, which cause them to decay faster. Wipe them clean using a dry paper towel or cloth instead.

Ok, that should cover most of the important information regarding tomatoes! Now, onto the recipes -

🥗Appetizers and salads

Chipotle Fresh Tomato Salsa (Copycat)
Make your own Chipotle fresh tomato salsa at home with just 5 simple ingredients! It is vibrant, refreshing, and incredibly addictive to have. This super chunky & flavorful salsa is a great condiment for chips, burritos, tacos, and more!
Check out this recipe
A bowl of fresh tomato salsa with spoon with chips, chopped cilantro and jalapenos in the background.
Salsa served with a plate of chips. There are jalapeno peppers and salt in the background.
High Protein Pasta Salad
This amazingly delicious protein pasta salad contains almost 25g of protein per serving! It is also refreshing, nutritious, and packed with flavors. You only need a handful of ingredients and 15 minutes to make this recipe.
Check out this recipe
Pasta salad in a white bowl with fork. There are cherry tomatoes and black peppercorns in the background.
Pasta salad in a white bowl with a fork and cherry tomatoes in the background.
Easy Bruschetta with Fresh Tomatoes
This light and refreshing bruschetta makes a great bite-sized appetizer to be taken to parties and barbeques! This simple Italian inspired side dish is easy and quick to make.
Check out this recipe
Bruschetta arranged on a white plate.
Scooping tomato mixture on a baguette. There are a few bruschetta in the background.
Cucumber and Tomato Salad with Chickpeas
Packed with crunchy veggies and protein-rich chickpeas, this cucumber tomato salad works well as an appetizer or light lunch. It is paired with a flavorful lemony dressing, and is a great dish to bring to potlucks or summer parties.
Check out this recipe
A bowl of salad with a fork. There are lemon halves and jar of olive oil in the background.
Vegan Papaya Salad
This veganised version of Thai's papaya salad is zesty, spicy and incredibly flavorful. Can be made in 15 minutes, and is naturally gluten-free and oil-free.
Check out this recipe
Papaya salad in a blue bowl.
Papaya salad in a blue bowl with lime and green beans in the background.
Cucumber Gazpacho with Avocado
Light and delicious, this cucumber gazpacho is the perfect no cook summer meal! This cold refreshing soup is ready in 20 minutes and only requires a handful of simple ingredients.
Check out this recipe
Gazpacho in a white bowl topped with cucumber and tomato cubes.
2 bowls of gazpacho with spoons topped with cucumber and tomato cubes. There are some basil leaves in the background.

🍜Pasta, rice and other mains

Pesto Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes
Super quick and easy to fix, this amazing pasta with cherry tomatoes is a great light and refreshing summer dinner that everyone will love! Also a great dish to meal prep and can be served both hot or cold.
Check out this recipe
Pesto pasta served with cherry tomatoes on a white plate.

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Pesto pasta served in a white plate with fork. There is another plate of pasta and a bowl of pesto beside.
Cherry Tomatoes Basil Pasta
This cherry tomatoes basil pasta is comforting, flavorful and utterly delicious! Plus, all you need is 6 simple ingredients and 20 minutes to make this versatile sauce that pairs well with literally any pasta.
Check out this recipe
Pasta served in a bowl with fork.
Pasta served in a white bowl. There is a lemon wedge and basil leaves in the background.
Mexican Rice
This classic rice dish is comforting, rich and bold in flavor! Super easy to prepare from scratch and is ready in 30 minutes.
Check out this recipe
Mexican rice served with lime wedge in a white plate with a spoon.
A plate of Mexican rice served with lime wedge. There is tomato sauce and a plate of quesadilla beside.
Stuffed Tomatoes with Cashew Cheese Sauce
Make your own gourmet stuffed tomatoes at home! It is super filling, hearty and healthy at the same time. They are served with a generous drizzle of cashew based cheese sauce.
Check out this recipe
A stuffed tomato served on a white plate with cutlery beside it.
Close up of a stuffed tomato served on a bed of microgreens topped with cheese sauce.
Vegan BLT Sandwich
This hearty vegan BLT sandwich is made from flavorful tempeh bacon! This plant based version of the classic sandwich is easy to make, healthy and super filling.
Check out this recipe
2 BLT sandwich stacked on top of each other.
Taco Rice Bowls
This simple meatless meal also happens to be vegan, gluten-free and is packed full of fresh, wholesome ingredients. This easy recipe is a great weeknight dinner to have after a long day of work!
Check out this recipe
2 bowls of taco bowls with a tomato and some fresh herbs in the background.
2 bowls of taco bowls with a tomato in the background.

🍲Soups and stews

Creamy Fresh Vegan Tomato Soup
Bursting full of flavors, this rich and creamy vegan tomato soup is actually really easy to make! It is packed full of vibrant vegetables and will please both vegans and meat-eaters.
Check out this recipe
Tomato soup in white bowl topped with croutons and chopped basil.
2 bowls of tomato soup topped with croutons and basil. There is a spoon, croutons and basil leaves in the background.
Instant Pot Butternut Squash Curry
Make some creamy and rich butternut squash curry in your Instant Pot! This cozy meal pairs well with freshly steamed rice.
Check out this recipe
Squash curry in a white bowl topped with chopped herbs and peanuts with spoons on the side.
Butternut squash curry served with rice in a bowl with spoons.
Instant Pot e Fagioli
This Italian pasta and beans stew is wholesome, nourishing and comforting to have. You can make this easy one pot meal even on your busiest of days!
Check out this recipe
Scooping some Pasta e Fagioli from an Instant Pot with a metal ladle.
Hands holding a bowl of Pasta e Fagioli.
Vegan Jackfruit Chili
This set and forget vegan jackfruit chili is a great cozy meal to have on chilly evenings. Packed full of wholesome ingredients and is hearty and filling.
Check out this recipe
Chili served in a white bowl topped with chopped scallions and sour cream.
2 bowls of chilis topped with chopped scallion and sour cream. There is bread and a lime in the background.

🍝Sauces

Hearty Vegan Marinara Sauce (Low Sodium)
This super hearty vegan marinara sauce is also low in sodium & healthy! Made with diced tomatoes, it is incredibly easy to fix, & all you need is a handful of ingredients & 20 minutes. Perfect for pastas, lasagnas or as a dipping sauce.
Marinara sauce in skillet with stirrer. There is some spaghetti and glass of water beside.
Marinara sauce in a cast iron skillet with a wooden spatula.
Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce
All you need is 6 ingredients and 5 minutes to make this amazing pizza sauce. It taste just like the store-bough ones, minus the preservatives and additives.
Check out this recipe
Pizza sauce in a glass jar with dried herbs and garlic cloves in the background.
Pizza sauce in a glass jar.
Cherry Tomato Sauce
This creamy and rustic cherry tomato sauce is incredibly quick and easy to make. A perfect meal prep dish to make during the weekends to be enjoyed throughout the week.
Check out this recipe
Tomato sauce in a mason jar. There is a pot of tomato sauce in the background.
A plate of tomato sauce spaghetti with a fork.
Vegan Tomato Cream Sauce
This cashew based vegan tomato cream sauce is garlicky, flavorful and super thick! Ready in 10 minutes and is also freezer friendly.
Check out this recipe
Creamy tomato sauce in a blender with spatula.
Pasta topped with tomato cream sauce. There is a chopping board with fresh produce in the background.

🍽More vegan dinner recipes

  • 5 tacos arranged on a white oval plate.
    TVP Tacos
  • A close-up shot of curry served in a white bowl with a spoon on the side.
    Creamy Vegan Thai Red Curry with Tofu
  • Collage of jajangmyeon, peanut miso soup, udon soup and peanut noodles.
    20 Healthy Easy Vegan Noodles Recipes (made in 30 mins)
  • Collage showing vegan Philly cheesesteaks, tacos, lentil bolognese, and seitan ribs.
    25+Vegan Father's Day Recipes

I hope that you will find this post helpful and inspiring! Do let me know down in the comments below your favorite dish to make with tomatoes.

More Vegan Main Dishes

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    Lemongrass tofu
  • 4 vegan sausages on a plate with stalks of cilantro beside on a blue folded teacloth.
    Vegan Italian Seitan Sausages
  • Orange tofu served with rice and broccoli on a plate with chopsticks beside.
    Crispy Vegan Orange Chicken (orange tofu)
  • 2 bowls of congee served with spoon topped with green onion and fried shallots.
    Creamy Brown Rice Congee

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A headshot of Mee Sha leaning on a handrail.

Hi, nice to meet you! I am Mee Sha, a final-year dietetic student passionate about nutrition, cooking, and food. This blog was created to share my favorite plant-powered recipe!

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