Easy Tomato Soup Recipe (2024)

This Creamy Tomato Soup is easy, comforting, and has a rich flavor profile. Watch the easy video tutorial and you’ll be craving a bowl of tomato soup paired with a gooey Grilled Cheese Sandwich.

You can make this tomato soup creamy or chunky if you prefer, but we love creamy soup recipes from Creamy Sweet Potato Soup to our velvety Carrot Soup and definitely Creamy Potato Soup.

Easy Tomato Soup Recipe (1)

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My husband never loved tomato soup until he tried this Creamy Tomato Soup. The addition of parmesan and just 1/2 cup of cream makes it so satisfying. It’s also a quick and easy 30-minute soup that keeps well in the fridge. We love it all year round and whip up a batch any time we are craving Grilled Cheese Sandwiches.

Tomato Soup Video Tutorial

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Ingredients for Tomato Basil Soup

Since this is a tomato-based soup, it is important to offset the acidity with some key ingredients. We use a combination of cream, parmesan, and a little sugar to balance the soup.

  • Butter – use unsalted butter to sautee onions
  • Yellow onion – it seems like a ton of onion but it dissapears into the soup adding a balanced sweetness
  • Garlic – you’ll need 1 Tbsp minced from about 3 cloves
  • Crushed tomatoes – with their juice, preferably San Marzano tomatoes
  • Chicken stock – for the best flavor use homemade chicken broth
  • Basil – chop and add 1/4 cup fresh basil, plus more to serve. Basil leaves are easily bruised so chop by stacking a bunch of leaves then roll them into a log and cut into thin strips.
  • Sugar – It’s just 1 Tbsp, but necessary to combat the tomato acidity.
  • Black pepper – start with 1/2 tsp and add more to taste
  • Whipping cream – adds a creaminess to the soup and offsets acidity.
  • Parmesan cheese – adds saltiness to the soup and balances acidity. Adding parmesan adds enough salt and I usually don’t add more.
Easy Tomato Soup Recipe (2)

How to Make Tomato Soup

  1. Saute Aromatics – heat a non-reactive pot over medium heat. Melt in 4 Tbsp butter then sautee onions until softened and golden (10-12 min). Add minced garlic and saute another minute.
  2. Make the tomato soup base – stir in two 28 oz cans of crushed tomatoes with their juice, your chicken stock, chopped basil, sugar and black pepper. Bring to a boil then reduce heat, partially cover and simmer 10 minutes.
  3. Blend if desired – use an immersion blender in the pot or blend in batches using a blender (be careful not to overfill the blender with hot liquid) and return soup to the pot.
  4. Add cream and parmesan – stir in the heavy cream and shredded parmesan. Return to a simmer and season to taste if needed.
  5. Serve – ladle into warm bowls and garnish with more parmesan and basil.

Pro Tip: If you prefer a chunky soup with bits of tomato (like our Broccoli Cheese Soup), you can skip the blending step and proceed with adding cream and parmesan then season to taste.

Easy Tomato Soup Recipe (3)

Important: Use a Non-Reactive Pot

Since this soup is tomato-based it is important to use a non-reactive pot. Avoid aluminum, cast iron, and copper which are all made of metals that can react with tomatoes and make the soup taste metallic.

Non-reactive pots that work well include: Stainless steel, enamel-coated cast iron, ceramic, and glass. We used our 5 1/2 Qt enamel-coated dutch oven pot.

Easy Tomato Soup Recipe (4)

Common Questions

Can I substitute canned whole tomatoes?

You can use canned whole peeled tomatoes, but crush them by pulsing in a food processor before adding to the pot. Be sure to season to taste if substituting.

Can I use dried basil?

You can substitute the fresh basil with about 1 Tbsp of dried basil for the soup. I suggest adding dried basil when you add the crushed tomatoes to give them a chance to soften. Dried herbs work great in soups, but should not be used for garnish.

Can I use fresh tomatoes?

You’ll need to make your own crushed tomatoes which can be a time-consuming process. We find it is much simpler to buy crushed tomatoes.

What stock do you use for tomato soup?

We love chicken bone broth because it has a great depth of flavor, but you can substitute it with vegetable broth to keep this a vegetarian soup.

What if my soup is too sour or acidic?

Make sure you aren’t using a reactive pot (see above) and add more sugar and cream to taste to balance the acidity.

Easy Tomato Soup Recipe (5)

How to Serve Tomato Soup

  • Grilled Cheese – tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches are the perfect match (try dipping the sandwich into the soup).
  • Parmesan – add shredded parmesan while the soup is hot so it melts over the top.
  • Fresh Basil – sprinkle the top with thinly sliced basil.
  • Croutons – sprinkle crunchy croutons over the soup.
  • Toast – simple toasted bread or crostini (like we made for Bruschetta) are great for dunking into the soup.
Easy Tomato Soup Recipe (6)

More Comforting Soups

If you love this Tomato Soup, then you won’t want to miss these cozy soup recipes from our easy Chicken Noodle Soup to luxurious Beef Stew. There’s something here for everyone.

  • Zuppa Toscana
  • Chicken Tortilla Soup
  • Chicken Pot Pie Soup
  • French Onion Soup
  • Taco Soup
  • Clam Chowder

Creamy Tomato Soup Recipe

4.99 from 821 votes

Author: Natasha Kravchuk

Easy Tomato Soup Recipe (8)

Our go-to creamy tomato soup recipe. Adding parmesan and heavy cream makes it so satisfying and balances the acidity. It’s also a quick and easy 30-minute soup that keeps well in the fridge. We love this Tomato Basil Soup paired with Grilled Cheese Sandwiches.

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Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 25 minutes mins

Total Time: 30 minutes mins

Ingredients

Servings: 8 people (1 cup servings)

  • 4 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 yellow onions, (3 cups finely chopped)
  • 3 garlic cloves, (1 Tbsp minced)
  • 56 oz crushed tomatoes, (two, 28-oz cans) with their juice, preferably San Marzano
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, plus more to serve
  • 1 Tbsp sugar, or added to taste
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper, or to taste
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream, or to taste to combat acidity
  • 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated, plus more to serve

Instructions

  • Heat a nonreactive pot or enameled dutch oven over medium heat. Add butter then add chopped onions. Sauté 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and golden. Add minced garlic and sauté 1 minute until fragrant.

  • Add crushed tomatoes with their juice, chicken stock, chopped basil, sugar (or add sugar to taste), and black pepper. Stir together and bring to a boil then reduce heat, partially cover with lid and simmer for 10 minutes.

  • You can leave your soup with a chunky consistency, but if you like a blended/creamy soup, use an immersion blender to blend the soup in the pot to desired consistency or transfer to a blender in batches and blend until smooth (being careful not to over-fill the blender with hot liquid and pulse a few times initially to get it started), then return blended soup to the pot over medium heat.

  • Add 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese and return to a simmer. Season to taste with salt and pepper if needed and turn off the heat.*

  • Ladle into warm bowls and top with more parmesan and chopped fresh basil.

Notes

*Some crushed tomatoes can seem tangier. If the soup seems too acidic or sour, you can add more heavy cream and sugar to taste.

Nutrition Per Serving

222kcal Calories22g Carbs7g Protein14g Fat8g Saturated Fat1g Polyunsaturated Fat4g Monounsaturated Fat1g Trans Fat40mg Cholesterol422mg Sodium710mg Potassium4g Fiber12g Sugar895IU Vitamin A21mg Vitamin C140mg Calcium3mg Iron

  • Full Nutrition Label
  • Nutrition Disclosure

Nutrition Facts

Creamy Tomato Soup Recipe

Amount per Serving

Calories

222

% Daily Value*

Fat

14

g

22

%

Saturated Fat

8

g

50

%

Trans Fat

1

g

Polyunsaturated Fat

1

g

Monounsaturated Fat

4

g

Sodium

422

mg

18

%

Potassium

710

mg

20

%

Carbohydrates

22

g

7

%

Fiber

4

g

17

%

Sugar

12

g

13

%

Protein

7

g

14

%

Vitamin A

895

IU

18

%

Vitamin C

21

mg

25

%

Calcium

140

mg

14

%

Iron

3

mg

17

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Soup

Cuisine: American

Keyword: creamy tomato soup, tomato soup

Skill Level: Easy

Cost to Make: $$

Calories: 222

Natasha Kravchuk

Easy Tomato Soup Recipe (9)

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

Read more posts by Natasha

Easy Tomato Soup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Can you give me the recipe for tomato soup? ›

To make this extra easy tomato soup, add butter, onion, a large can of tomatoes, and water to a large pot. (I usually use water in this soup, but stock or broth work, too). Remember, you can use fresh tomatoes – tips for using them are in the recipe below. Bring everything to a low simmer and cook for 40 minutes.

How to make your tomato soup better? ›

10 Simple Ingredients to Add to Tomato Soup
  1. 1) Fresh Rosemary. Kicking off the list is the simplest way to jazz up your tomato soup – fresh herbs. ...
  2. 2) Sauteed Onions. ...
  3. 3) Crispy Bacon. ...
  4. 4) Cream. ...
  5. 5) Chutney. ...
  6. 6) Melted Cheese. ...
  7. 7) Tinned Anchovies. ...
  8. 8) Toasted Pine Nuts.
Mar 21, 2022

Do you have to add milk or water to tomato soup? ›

Tomato soup is better with milk because it makes it creamier. You can add water if you have no milk or want to keep dairy-free but it will change the texture.

What is tomato soup made of? ›

Combine tomatoes, chicken broth, garlic cloves, and a large slice of onion in a stockpot over medium heat. Bring to a boil, and gently simmer for about 20 minutes to blend flavors. Remove from heat and run the mixture through a food mill into a large bowl, or pan. Discard any stuff left over in the food mill.

What to put into tomato soup? ›

Add a can of diced tomatoes, a bit of cream, and torn fresh basil leaves. Swirl some red wine vinegar into the soup and serve with a stack of mozzarella and fresh basil leaves on a toasted baguette. Add a drizzle of pesto (homemade or store bought) and finish with toasted pine nuts and croutons.

How to make a thicker tomato soup? ›

Add flour or cornflour

Put a tablespoon of either into a small bowl and stir in 2-3 tbsp of the soup until you have a smooth mixture. Stir this back into the soup and bring it to a simmer. Cook for a few minutes to allow the starch granules to burst to thicken, and to cook out any flour flavour.

Why do you put baking soda in tomato soup? ›

Adding a bit of baking soda makes the tomatoes taste sweeter by canceling out the sourness. Tomatoes are naturally quite acidic but food processing companies often add extra citric acid to canned tomatoes to get the right pH (acid level) for food safety in canning.

What to add to homemade tomato soup for flavor? ›

Try making a quick cioppino by adding fresh crab, garlic, and fresh herbs to prepared tomato soup. Have some celery or fennel? Add that in too! Another quick way to add a ton of depth to your bowl is with a drizzle of flavored oil.

Why does my homemade tomato soup taste bitter? ›

That bitterness could be acid from the tomatoes and one way people typically fix that is by adding a small amount of sugar.

How to jazz up tomato soup? ›

You can add fresh herbs like basil or oregano, a splash of heavy cream for richness, a drizzle of olive oil for depth of flavor, or a sprinkle of grated cheese on top for added creaminess. You can also sauté some onions and garlic to add complexity, or even add cooked pasta or rice to make it heartier.

Why does my tomato soup taste watery? ›

Sometimes soup just needs to simmer longer to reach the perfect consistency. Check to see if the vegetables are tender, and then taste the broth. If the soup tastes a bit watery, give it more time.

Do you need to peel tomatoes for soup? ›

You will want to peel your tomatoes any time you're looking for a completely smooth texture – preparing a hot soup or stew or tomato sauce, for example. A lot of this comes down to preference, though. You do not need to peel your tomatoes if you don't mind the skins.

Why do you put milk in tomato soup? ›

All types of milk will make soups richer without adding a thickener like cornstarch or flour and often positively impact flavor. We hypothesized that our milk-based soup would be more silky smooth, thick, and indulgent but that the fattiness of the milk may mask the flavors of the tomatoes and seasonings.

Why is sugar used in tomato soup? ›

The reason for sprinkling a pinch of sugar into a simmering saucepan of tomatoes is simple: sugar cuts the acidity of the tomatoes and creates an overall more balanced sauce. The exact acid levels in tomatoes can vary quite a bit depending on whether they're fresh or canned, the tomato variety, and the time of year.

Which tomatoes are best for soup? ›

What tomatoes are best for homemade tomato soup? I like to use plum or roma tomatoes for homemade tomato soup because they have the best flavor when roasted. I recommend using garden fresh or organic to keep the soup as flavorful as possible!

Why do you add baking soda to homemade tomato soup? ›

A small pinch of baking soda will tame any unwanted acidity in the soup.

What is the best combination with tomato soup? ›

18 Must-Try Toppings for Your Tomato Soup
  • Chicken.
  • Chickpeas.
  • Bacon Bits.
  • Basil.
  • Green Onion.
  • Quinoa.
  • Macaroni.
  • Grilled Cheese.

Which canned tomatoes are best for soup? ›

This variety of tomato is most often associated with Italian tomato sauces, but they work well in pretty much anything you might need tomatoes for, like soups, chili and curries. D.O.P. and "San Marzano" are the two most readily available kinds of whole peeled tomatoes in grocery stores.

Do I need to peel tomatoes for soup? ›

You will want to peel your tomatoes any time you're looking for a completely smooth texture – preparing a hot soup or stew or tomato sauce, for example. A lot of this comes down to preference, though. You do not need to peel your tomatoes if you don't mind the skins.

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