Homegrown tomatoes are one of the best things about summer.
They’re juicy, flavorful, and packed with nutrients. And there’s nothing quite like the taste of a tomato that you’ve grown yourself.
For more recipes with homemade growth tomatoes, you can visit at tomatomentor.com.

If you’re lucky enough to have a bumper crop of tomatoes this year, here are five delicious recipes to help you use them up:
1. Roasted Tomato Soup
Roasted tomato soup is a classic comfort food that’s perfect for a chilly day. It’s also a great way to use up ripe tomatoes.
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds ripe tomatoes, cored and halved
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional)
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Toss the tomatoes with olive oil, onion, garlic, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
- Spread the tomatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast for 30 minutes, or until the tomatoes are tender and slightly browned.
- Transfer the roasted tomatoes to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
- Add the chicken or vegetable broth to the blender and blend until combined.
- Pour the soup into a large pot and heat over medium heat until heated through.
- Stir in the heavy cream (if using) and season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh basil leaves.
2. Caprese Salad

Caprese salad is a simple but delicious Italian dish made with tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil. It’s the perfect summer salad, and it’s easy to make with homemade tomatoes.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ripe tomatoes, sliced
- 1 pound mozzarella cheese, sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Arrange the tomato slices on a platter.
- Top with the mozzarella cheese slices and basil leaves.
- Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately.
3. Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta

Heirloom tomato bruschetta is a delicious and elegant appetizer made with fresh heirloom tomatoes, basil, and olive oil. It’s the perfect way to showcase the flavor of your homegrown tomatoes.
Ingredients:
- 1 baguette, sliced
- 2 pounds heirloom tomatoes, sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Toast the baguette slices in a toaster oven or under the broiler until golden brown.
- Rub the toasted baguette slices with garlic.
- Top the baguette slices with the tomato slices, basil leaves, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately.
4. Tomato Sauce

Homemade tomato sauce is a versatile and delicious condiment that can be used on pasta, pizza, and more. It’s also a great way to preserve your homegrown tomatoes.
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds ripe tomatoes, cored and quartered
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
- Heat a large pot over medium heat.
- Add the tomatoes, onion, garlic, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper to the pot.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 hour, or until the tomatoes have softened and the sauce has thickened.
- Remove the sauce from the heat and let it cool slightly.
- Puree the sauce in a blender or food processor until smooth.
- Return the pureed sauce to the pot and heat over medium heat until heated through.
5. Roasted Tomato Salad with Feta and Basil

Ingredients:
- 2 pounds ripe tomatoes, cored and halved
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Toss the tomatoes with olive oil, oregano, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
- Spread the tomatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast for 30 minutes, or until the tomatoes are tender and slightly browned.
- Transfer the roasted tomatoes to a serving platter.
- Top with the feta cheese and basil leaves.
- Serve immediately.
This recipe is simple to make, but it’s packed with flavor. The roasted tomatoes are sweet and savory, and the feta cheese and basil add a nice salty and herbaceous contrast. It’s the perfect summer salad, and it’s a great way to use up your homegrown tomatoes.
Here are some tips for making the best roasted tomato salad:
- Use ripe, flavorful tomatoes. The riper the tomatoes, the better the salad will taste.
- Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet. When you spread the tomatoes out on the baking sheet, make sure there’s enough space between each one so that they can roast evenly.
- Don’t overcook the tomatoes. The tomatoes should be tender but still have a bit of bite to them.
- Season to taste. Once the tomatoes are roasted, taste them and add more salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately. The salad is best served warm or at room temperature.