Tomato Sandwiches Deserve This Creamy Upgrade That's Hiding In Your Fridge

To some lovers of fresh produce, ripe and juicy slices of tomato between two pieces of soft or toasted bread is simply sandwich perfection. While the dish is popular in summertime, reveling in tomatoes' natural balance of sweet, tart, and umami flavors isn't limited to one season. And adding a single ingredient to this straightforward sandwich can elevate it to new flavor heights any time of the year. 

Long-laden atop bagels, cream cheese adds a luscious, rich element to your basic bread and tomato combo. The fat mellows out the tomato's acidity while adding flavor and a creamy layer when you bite into it. The textures — juicy, velvety, and crunchy — blend together superbly. Similar to one of our favorite two-ingredient dishes (cream cheese and bruschetta), adding a touch of cream-cheese tang to the tomatoes creates a balance your palate will love. 

Cream cheese is the unexpected base for delicious salad dressings, dips, and stuffings, but it also makes a tasty spread. You can boost your tomato sandwich by smearing both sides of the bread with plain cream cheese. Or, you can also choose one of the many different flavors that exist in stores today. 

Next, layer the tomatoes — which should be cut into thick slices — on top. Then, a couple of cracks of pepper and flaky salt for added texture and flavor. If craving a bit more crunch, layer paper-thin slices of red onion on. They add a pungent, pleasant taste and texture to the tomato and cheese. 

Need help picking a certain cream cheese? Here is a ranking of 10 cream cheese brands to help you find your ideal addition.