Tomato soup is a culinary classic that can be relished any time of the year, and for any occasion. Bold tomato flavors are simmered with fresh herbs and spices, creating a rich, healthy, and sumptuous broth that’s enjoyed by many people around the world.
Though it’s simple to make, tomato soup can be the most delightful concoction when prepared properly. If you’ve been looking for the ultimate tomato soup recipe that’s worthy of its reputation, this article has you covered.
From helping you choose the best tomatoes, showing you how to prepare the soup, recommending dishes that complement it best, and more, get ready to have a new appreciation for this vibrantly colored kitchen classic!
Ingredients Needed
Fresh ingredients taste the best and tomato soup is no different. Our tomato soup recipe requires simple ingredients that can be found in most kitchens so you may not need to make a special trip to the grocery store or farmer’s market.
Get the following ready:
- Fresh, ripe tomatoes: 2.5 to 3 pounds (1.1 to 1.3 kg)
- Garlic: 4-5 cloves
- Medium onion: ½, diced
- Olive oil or unsalted butter: 2 tablespoons
- Tomato puree: 1 tablespoon
- Dried herbs: ½ teaspoon each of oregano and basil
- Fresh herbs: parsley/oregano/basil
- Vegetable or chicken stock: 2 cups
- Fresh heavy cream: ½ cup
- Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
Types of Tomatoes You Can Use
Did you know that there are over 19,000 tomato varieties out there? If you’re wondering if one type is better than another for making tomato soup, the good news is you can use any type of tomato as long as it’s ripe and fresh.
Traditionally speaking, however, heirloom tomatoes are most often used for the classic tomato soup recipe. You can also use San Marzanos since they have thicker flesh, fewer seeds, and sweeter flavors.
But if you don’t have access to either, fresh homegrown tomatoes will do just as well.
Preparing the Tomato Soup
Got your ingredients? Great! Let’s get started on our tomato soup recipe.
1. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a pan on medium-low heat. While you’re waiting for your pan to heat up, chop your veggies and tomatoes.
2. Add the garlic cloves, diced onions, and dried herbs. Saute them on high flame for 3 to 4 minutes until they’re slightly toasted, stirring occasionally to prevent them from burning.
3. Add the chopped tomatoes, tomato puree, salt, and black pepper to the pan and cook until the tomatoes are soft.
4. Add your fresh herbs (parsley/oregano/basil). Cook until the tomatoes and onions are blended into a mushy mixture.
5. Let the soup cool and remove any leaves or stems from the fresh herbs (like fresh basil) before transferring it to an immersion blender.
6. Add 2 cups of vegetable or chicken broth to the immersion blender and blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Add heavy cream for extra creaminess.
7. Pour the soup into bowls and garnish it with fresh herbs. You can also use shredded parmesan as garnish.
Just like that — your delicious, creamy tomato soup is ready! Homemade tomato soup is one of the best comfort foods to have when you’re sick, and this particular recipe will have you wanting more. It can also be served with other food items, making it a meal on its own.
Tomato soup also makes a great appetizer during get-togethers and dinner parties since it’s easy to make and loved by everyone.
Ways to Serve Tomato Soup
In addition to being a simple dish to prepare, tomato soup is also versatile and goes well with other dishes. If you’re wondering what works with tomato soup, give the following a try:
1. Grilled Cheese Sandwich
A fresh, hot bowl of tomato soup with a side of grilled cheese sandwich is a timeless combo that you can serve anytime. Imagine dipping a crispy, gooey grilled cheese sandwich into a bowl of delicious tomato soup — simply mouthwatering!
Since our tomato soup recipe is extra creamy, it will go perfectly well with your favorite grilled cheese.
2. Bread Croutons
Croutons are technically more of a topping, but they’re still considered one of the best accompaniments to tomato soup. In fact, many consider a tomato soup recipe to be incomplete without croutons!
Bread croutons are easy to make and add a crunchy treat to your creamy bowl of soup, perfectly balancing the two textures.
3. Mozarella Sticks
Mozzarella sticks are an absolute crowd favorite during dinner parties and other events. The only thing that makes them better is dipping them in tomato soup. The crunchy exterior of mozzarella with its gooey, cheesy interior is made even better after a dip in creamy tomato soup.
4. Side Salad
Tomato soup and a side salad is yet another combo that is light and hearty, but still super delicious. A simple tomato salad can enhance the taste of your soup. You can also have a cucumber salad if you’re looking to balance your hot soup with something cool. Salad ingredients like olives, lettuce, and onions can complement the flavors of our tomato soup recipe.
5. Nachos
Having your friends over for a movie night but don’t know what to make? Nachos and tomato soup go great together and are very filling! You can dip nacho chips in your creamy tomato soup, or customize a nacho dish with your favorite cheese, jalapenos, tomatoes, or avocado. This combo is perfect for a casual event since it isn’t too heavy but still fills you up.
Dairy-Free Tomato Soup
If you’re vegan, lactose intolerant, or just want to cut dairy from your diet, you can still enjoy this tomato soup recipe to the fullest. Instead of unsalted butter, use virgin olive oil and it will give you pretty much the same consistency.
Another ingredient you can skip if you want dairy-free soup is heavy cream. If you really want that extra creaminess, you can replace it with cashew cream instead. Note that excluding heavy cream from your soup won’t alter its taste or texture drastically.
Special Tips
Use a Non-Reactive Pot
Since this tomato soup recipe contains non-acidic ingredients, we recommended using non-reactive pots like pots made of cast iron and stainless steel. This ensures that the material of the cookware doesn’t react with its acidic ingredients. If you aren’t careful, acidic ingredients can damage your utensils and transfer the metal compounds into your soup.
Puree in Small Amounts
Tomato puree is made of a concentrated tomato flavor that enhances the taste of your soup. However, be careful not to add too much or your soup may become too tangy or salty. Generally, all you need is 1 to 2 tablespoons of tomato paste to elevate the flavor of your soup.
Nutritional Value and Calorie Count
It isn’t hard to figure out why health buffs love tomato soup. The rich, red broth is loaded with antioxidants like flavonoids, lycopene, vitamins C and E, and more. It’s good for your heart, reduces the risk of cancer, and can keep inflammation down.
In this section, we’ve broken down the nutritional value and calories in our tomato soup recipe. Remember that this is pretty flexible and depends on the exact ingredients you use.
Calories: 125-130
Carbohydrates: 10-12g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 2mg
Sodium: ~350mg
Potassium: ~650mg
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 5g
Calcium: ~90mg
Iron: 1.5mg
FAQs
Can I use canned tomatoes instead of fresh tomatoes?
Though we recommend fresh tomatoes for our tomato soup recipe, you can substitute them with canned tomatoes. A single 28-ounce can of tomatoes is equivalent to about 2 pounds of freshly chopped tomatoes. You can make adjustments to the recipe accordingly.
Can I use dried basil instead of fresh basil?
Yes, adding dried basil to your tomato soup will give it a more intense and bold flavor than fresh basil.
Can I add cream?
Adding heavy cream to your tomato soup will give it a richer, thicker texture. However, if you’re vegan or want a dairy-free soup, you can skip this ingredient altogether since it won’t make a big difference.
What stock should I use for tomato soup?
You can use chicken or vegetable stock with our tomato soup recipe.
What if my soup is too sour or acidic?
If you find the soup too acidic or sour, you can neutralize the too-strong flavor by adding baking soda. Baking soda is alkaline and can balance the acidic nature of your soup. However, it works by turning acid into salt so taste the soup as you go to ensure it doesn’t become too salty.
Wrapping Up the Best Tomato Soup Recipe
Having a go-to tomato soup recipe can be really helpful in case you experience a sudden craving for homemade tomato soup or would like to make a batch for someone who’s feeling under the weather.
While buying the freshest tomatoes from your local farmers’ market is recommended, the best tomatoes are ones you’ve grown yourself! Excited for more tomato content? Then visit our tomato page for growing tips, comprehensive guides, and tasty recipes!
Need some more inspiration in the kitchen? Then checkout our vegetable recipes for delicious and healthy cooking guides!
Tomato Soup Recipe
You're going to love this tomato soup recipe. Enjoy it with some croutons or some grilled cheese sandwiches for maximum benefit!
Ingredients
- Fresh, ripe tomatoes: 2.5 to 3 pounds (1.1 to 1.3 kg)
- Garlic: 4-5 cloves
- Medium onion: ½, diced
- Olive oil or unsalted butter: 2 tablespoons
- Tomato puree: 1 tablespoon
- Dried herbs: ½ teaspoon each of oregano and basil
- Fresh herbs: parsley/oregano/basil
- Vegetable or chicken stock: 2 cups
- Fresh heavy cream: ½ cup
- Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a pan on medium-low heat. While you’re waiting for your pan to heat up, chop your veggies and tomatoes.
2. Add the garlic cloves, diced onions, and dried herbs. Saute them on high flame for 3 to 4 minutes until they’re slightly toasted, stirring occasionally to prevent them from burning.
3. Add the chopped tomatoes, tomato puree, salt, and black pepper to the pan and cook until the tomatoes are soft.
4. Add your fresh herbs (parsley/oregano/basil). Cook until the tomatoes and onions are blended into a mushy mixture.
5. Let the soup cool and remove any leaves or stems from the fresh herbs (like fresh basil) before transferring it to an immersion blender.
6. Add 2 cups of vegetable or chicken broth to the immersion blender and blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Add heavy cream for extra creaminess.
7. Pour the soup into bowls and garnish it with fresh herbs. You can also use shredded parmesan as garnish.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1 cupAmount Per Serving: Calories: 125-130Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 350mgCarbohydrates: 10-12gFiber: 2gSugar: 5gProtein: 5g
