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This easy tomato soup recipe might be the best you’ll ever try! It’s ready in about half an hour and uses fire-roasted canned tomatoes, so it’s inexpensive and requires minimal effort to make a cozy family meal.
You may want to try my Tomato Tortellini Soup next.
Why you’ll love it
I always make my homemade tomato soup rather than using the condensed variety. It’s a great balance between ease and flavor. Using canned tomatoes is not only super convenient, but they taste every bit as good as fresh ones since they’re canned at the peak of ripeness. Even Bobby Flay agrees on that point.
This soup is velvety and rich without being heavy, and all you need is a few pantry staples to get that irresistible signature concentrated tomato taste with a hint of cream that you crave. Not all tomato soup recipes are created equal, so mine might just win a spot in your soup rotation!
What you’ll need
- Olive oil and butter – for sautéing
- Onion and garlic – our base aromatics. Vidalia (sweet) onions are my go-to.
- Flour – it acts as a thickener
- Chicken broth – for depth of flavor, but vegetable broth works if you need this to be vegetarian
- Tomatoes – we’re using fire-roasted canned diced tomatoes with the juices and fire-roasted canned crushed tomatoes as the base. They’re easier to work with than fresh tomatoes, perfectly ripe, and available anytime. No messing around with roasting tomatoes at home. The combo of diced and crushed tomatoes creates the perfect texture!
- Italian seasoning – it’s a versatile blend of fragrant Italian herbs that comes all in a single jar in the ideal proportions
- Sugar – yes, sugar! It’s an old chef’s trick to balance the acidity of the tomatoes and brings out their natural sweetness. It’s why a good tomato soup tastes so good.
- Heavy cream – it gives a touch of richness and body to the soup and makes it even tastier
Pro tips
- The quality of the canned tomatoes matters here, and it can definitely vary from brand to brand. Using fire-roasted tomatoes adds so much extra flavor to the soup! I prefer Muir Glen brand.
- If you’re using regular diced and crushed tomatoes, my favorite brands include Muir Glen, DeLallo, and Mutti. I like the San Marzano variety if you can find them.
How to make tomato soup
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
In a soup pot or Dutch oven, add in the oil and butter. When it’s melted, sauté the onion until softened. Stir in the garlic and flour for a minute. Whisk in the chicken broth until the flour has dissolved.
Add in the tomatoes, Italian seasoning, sugar, and cream to the pot. Let it come to a boil, and then reduce the heat so it simmers for another 8 minutes or so. Season with salt & pepper, blend with an immersion blender if desired, and top with basil and parmesan if using.
Tools for this recipe
Check out Natasha’s favorite kitchen essentials, gadgets, and cookware!
- A garlic press makes it easy to mince the garlic cloves rather than by hand.
- I like this cooking spoon for stirring.
- This Dutch oven is the one I use to make this soup and many others.
- I love to use an immersion blender to get a rustic yet smooth texture.
Substitutions and variations
- I don’t recommend subbing the cream with something lower fat because there’s a good chance it will curdle. You could try stirring in some coconut milk for a dairy-free option if you’re used to that kind of a substitution, but it will taste different, of course.
- Toss in any fresh garden herbs that you might have on hand. You could also use dried basil instead of fresh. Add a half tablespoon (or more) in at the same time as the Italian seasoning.
- You don’t have to blend the soup if you prefer a more rustic texture from the diced tomatoes, or simply just blend some of it. There’s options here to suit you.
What to serve with tomato soup
- Top it with freshly grated parmesan and a handful of fresh basil from the garden, pair it with a slice of focaccia or sourdough, and you’re all set.
- A grilled cheese sandwich is an obvious choice, but you can also do my Easy Homemade Croutons (Garlic & Parmesan) to change it up! There’s still bread and cheese, so it counts.
- Craving the classic soup and salad combo? Try it with my Parmesan Arugula Salad.
Leftovers and storage
- This tomato soup makes wonderful leftovers. Refrigerate it in an airtight container for 3-5 days.
- It also freezes great for up to 6 months. Try individual portions to make it easy to grab a meal anytime.
- Reheat this soup over a low heat, giving it the occasional stir, on the stovetop. You can also microwave it in short intervals until warmed through.
I think this easy tomato soup is just all-around tasty, and I hope you agree! Let me know what you think in the comments below. You can also find me on Instagram.
Easy Tomato Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 medium onion chopped
- 1-2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups chicken broth or veggie broth
- 1 (28 ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes with juices, see note
- 1 (28 ounce) can fire-roasted crushed tomatoes see note
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning or to taste
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
- Salt & pepper to taste
- For serving: fresh basil, freshly grated parmesan cheese optional, to taste
Instructions
- Add the olive oil and butter to a soup pot over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add the onion and sauté it for 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic and flour, and cook it for about a minute.
- Stir (or whisk) in the chicken broth until the flour has dissolved.
- Add the canned tomatoes, Italian seasoning, sugar, and cream to the pot. Increase the heat to high and bring it to a gentle boil.
- Once the soup comes to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer. Let it cook, uncovered, for 8-10 minutes or so.
- If desired, blend the soup for a smoother consistency. I use an immersion blender and blend right in the pot, but you can transfer to a regular blender if desired (you may want to wait for it to cool a bit).
- Season with salt & pepper as needed (I am generous with both). If using the fresh basil, tear it into smaller pieces and stir it in prior to serving. Serve each bowl with freshly grated parmesan over top if desired.
Notes
- You could use dried basil instead of fresh – I use a few dashes and add it in at the same time as the Italian seasoning.
- I like using Muir Glen fire-roasted tomatoes (crushed and diced varieties for this recipe). You may use regular canned tomatoes, but fire-roasted are more flavorful.
- If you don’t want the cream, you can add a bit less or leave it out, but IMO the soup won’t be as tasty. I don’t recommend subbing half-and-half or something with less fat, because the acid from the tomatoes will likely curdle/separate it, and the soup will look a bit grainy.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
© Salt & Lavender Inc. Content and photographs are copyrighted. Sharing this blog post is much appreciated, but copying and pasting full recipes without authorization to social media is strictly prohibited.
This recipe was originally published on February 27, 2019. It’s been updated with new photos and better instructions but is the same great recipe!
My household devoured this soup, just to say the least.
My fiancé wasn’t too excited at the thought of tomato soup and sandwiches for dinner but he was beyond happy with it!
Simple ingredients, simple instructions. I will be making this recipe a staple in my household for years to come.
That’s amazing!! 😀 I’m so glad. Thanks for your review, Lindsay!!
Yum! This has become my favorite quick go to soup. I’ve made it several times and everyone who has tried it loves it!
I’m thrilled to hear that, Brenda!! It’s a favorite over here too. 😀
We LOVED your tomato soup recipe!! Made it exactly how you wrote it. Added the parm on top and everyone had smiles on this cold rainy day!
Can’t get over how easy it was!
Thank you so much, Kathy!! 😀 I’m thrilled it was a hit!
I’m on my 2nd bowl as I write this 🙂 Very simple recipe…and quick to throw together. I made a couple of minor changes. I used regular canned tomatoes but added fire roasted garlic and red pepper spice. 3 cloves garlic. Everything else was left as it is in the recipe. I’ll be making this again!! Cheers.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!! Thanks for your review, Gord!
Have a blessed and yummy day Chef Tash hmmwah so simple but amazing taste of Green bean casserole and tomato soup version of yours ,
Many thanks Chef Tash more power and God blesses you more.
Thank you!
Great use of tomatoes from the end of the season. Creamy, with a tangy tomato flavor.
Thrilled you enjoyed it!
I have been attempting to make tomato soup for a year without prevail. I found your website and tried it, and VOILA! It is so good and I cried with joy when I tasted it. Thorough and easy to follow recipe and the fire Roasted tomatoes is a game changer! Trying your potato soup today!
That’s amazing!!! 😀 I’m so happy to hear that. Hope you enjoy the potato soup too, Cait. Thanks for your review!
Greetings, I have been wanting soup for awhile so when I came across your recipe.. I started making it.
Then discovered, I didn’t have onions so used onion powder; I did have butter but didn’t have any olive oil-used the Italian sub oil mix.. then didn’t have cream so improvised w coffee mate and powdered butter! I did have crushed tomatoes, and a package of onion soup mix. Used those too.
All in all it turned out delicious!
Well I’m so glad it worked out, Trudy! 😀
Mmmm….making that a regular! Made it just as your recipe says too!
Fantastic!! 😀
Someone please stop me from eating the whole pot of soup! Delicious, easy and just perfectly balanced.
This will be on my weekly rotation for sure!
Love it!! 😀 Thank you!