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Ina Garten is the master of transforming exquisite-looking, delicious meals into approachable, everyday recipes. For any avid follower of the celebrity chef, you know about her love of tomatoes. While she frequently recommends the canned variety to make her meals quick and easy, Garten clearly loves to use gorgeous, colorful, fresh tomatoes in her summer-ready dishes. In fact, she recently took to Instagram to celebrate tomato season and share her favorite easy tomato recipes. 

“For me, tomatoes and corn are the taste of summer,” Garten captioned her post.

If you love tomatoes as much as Garten, here are all of the easy, light, and refreshing Ina Garten tomato recipes you need to have in your summer recipe arsenal.

Heirloom Tomatoes & Blue Cheese Salad

While tomatoes and mozzarella are a classic summer pairing, why not change things up by swapping the delicate mozzarella for some tangy blue cheese? It’s perfect for a fun take on an old classic. Plus, there’s no cooking involved!

Get the full recipe from Barefoot Contessa

Anna’s Tomato Tart 

If you’re looking for a tomato-centric main dish and are craving something with a bit more substance, Garten has you and your plate covered — with cheese, that is. Whether you’re looking for a fresh dinner party recipe or to impress your friends and family with something special, follow Garten’s instructions to make a homemade crust (it calls for a secret ingredient: dried beans!). For the filling, Garten keeps it simple with sliced tomatoes, Guryére and Parmesan cheeses, fresh herbs, olive oil, and Dijon mustard for some extra flavor and depth. Get thefull recipe here. (It’s also, as she helpfully notes, on page 79 of Cooking for Jeffrey.)

Slow-Roasted Tomato & Ricotta Bruschetta

Want to “#keepitsimple” but still whip up a crowd-pleaser? This dish calls for just three ingredients: fresh bread, soft cheese, and some slow-roasted tomatoes. Garten explained how she “didn’t even need a recipe!!” And, even without instructions, we trust that this five-minute appetizer will not disappoint. The chef suggests pairing it with either pesto pasta or grilled lamb chops for one easy, dinner party-ready spread.

Grilled Bread With Tomatoes 

This dish proves that less truly can be more and is perfect for vegans or anyone just trying to cut down on dairy. With only tomatoes, spices, and some fresh greens, this bruschetta-inspired dish is perfect for a hot day and to serve alongside other small plates or for happy hour. Grill up thick slices of rustic bread and top with some raw, ripe tomatoes, olive oil, and herbs for a delicious, nutritious snack or side any time of the day.

Roasted Tomato Caprese Salad 

If you’re looking for an indulgent option without the bread, this timeless Caprese salad is perfect for the hot weather. To make Ina Garten’s take on this classic Italian starter, use plum tomatoes and soft fresh mozzarella with some balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic, spices, and a bit of sugar. Top with basil leaves for a refreshing, artisanal touch. Get thefull recipe here.

Tomato & Goat Cheese Crostata 

For an elevated version of your standard homemade pizza, try out Ina Garten’s Tomato Crostata. Garten shared a similar recipe with Food Network that you make in under an hour. To make this recipe, use puff pastry, goat cheese, a tomato, onions, garlic, some fresh herbs, dry white wine, and good olive oil. Sauté the onion according to the directions, assemble, and place the tart in the oven for a nearly effortless Italian meal. Get the full recipe here.

Before you go, check out our gallery of Ina Garten’s best dinner recipes below: