There’s something incredibly comforting about a bowl of homemade tomato soup, especially on a chilly day. The rich, creamy texture and the burst of flavor from ripe tomatoes just can’t be matched by canned versions. This Homemade Tomato Soup recipe is not only incredibly simple to make, but it also comes together in just about 25 minutes, making it perfect for beginner cooks looking to impress their friends or family without spending hours in the kitchen. The best part? You can make it as smooth or chunky as you like, and the creamy, velvety texture is sure to satisfy even the most discerning palates.
PrintHomemade Tomato Soup
🍅✨ Spoonfuls of happiness in every bite—Homemade Tomato Soup is here to satisfy your cravings! 🥄🧄 Made with fresh tomatoes, aromatic herbs, and a creamy finish, this soup is pure comfort in a bowl. 🍲 Perfect for beginners and easy to make, it’s a meal you’ll want to make again and again. Serve it up hot and pair it with your favorite bread for the ultimate cozy experience! 🥖💫
#SoupGoals #TomatoSoupFix #ComfortInABowl #HealthyAndDelicious #SimpleRecipes #BeginnerFriendly #HomemadeMeals #CozyVibes #FoodieComfort #CreamyGoodness 🍅🥄🍲
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil or butter: Olive oil gives a subtle fruity flavor, while butter adds richness. Both work well in this recipe, so feel free to use whichever you prefer.
- 1 onion (medium or large): Onion adds a natural sweetness when sautéed and serves as the base of the soup.
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt: Salt enhances all the flavors in the soup.
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper: Adds a mild kick of heat.
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, or to taste): Adds a touch of spice. You can adjust this depending on how spicy you like your soup.
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano: A classic herb that pairs perfectly with tomatoes, adding a savory depth to the soup.
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil: Adds a subtle, aromatic flavor that complements the tomatoes.
- 3 cloves garlic, smashed and minced: Garlic adds a savory, pungent flavor that enhances the depth of the soup.
- 1 28-oz can whole tomatoes: The base of this soup. Whole tomatoes are great because they have more flavor and you can crush them as you cook.
- 1 15-oz can fire-roasted diced tomatoes: Adds a smoky, charred flavor that elevates the soup to the next level.
- 4 cups chicken broth: Provides a savory liquid base for the soup. If you prefer a vegetarian version, you can substitute with vegetable broth.
- 1/2 to 1 cup cream: This will make the soup rich and creamy. You can adjust the amount depending on how creamy you want the soup to be.
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped: Fresh basil adds a refreshing note and a burst of color to the finished soup.
Instructions
Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables
- Begin by heating your large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil or butter to the pot. Wait for the oil to shimmer or for the butter to melt completely.
- Add the chopped onion to the pot. Sprinkle in the kosher salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, dried oregano, and dried basil. Stir everything together and cook the onion for 5 to 8 minutes, until it becomes lightly browned and softened.
- Once the onion is softened and aromatic, add the minced garlic. Sauté the garlic for 1 more minute, stirring occasionally to avoid burning it. Garlic burns quickly, so keep an eye on it.
Step 2: Add the Tomatoes and Broth
- Now it’s time to add the canned tomatoes. First, pour in the whole tomatoes (with their juices) and the fire-roasted diced tomatoes (also with their juices). Stir the tomatoes into the onions and garlic.
- Next, add the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Once the soup begins to boil, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for at least 10 minutes. If you have more time, you can let it simmer for up to 45 minutes to let the flavors meld together even more.
Step 3: Blend the Soup
- Once the soup has simmered, it’s time to blend it into a smooth, creamy consistency. If you have an immersion blender, this is the perfect time to use it! Just stick it directly into the soup pot and blend until smooth. If you don’t have an immersion blender, let the soup cool for a few minutes before transferring it to a regular blender. Be cautious and blend in batches to avoid overflow, as the soup is very hot. If you’re using a regular blender, remember to remove the little spout at the top and cover it with a towel to allow steam to escape.
Step 4: Finish with Cream
- After blending the soup, heat it back up on the stove if necessary. Stir in the cream slowly, starting with half a cup and adding more if you want a richer, creamier soup. Stir until well combined, then taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
- For a fresh touch, chop up about 1/2 cup of fresh basil and stir it into the soup, or sprinkle it on top as a garnish. This adds a vibrant color and a burst of fresh flavor to the dish.
Notes
Troubleshooting Tips:
- If the soup is too thick: Add more chicken broth or a little water to thin it out to your desired consistency.
- If the soup is too salty: Add a little more cream to balance out the flavors, or increase the amount of tomatoes and broth to dilute the saltiness.
- If the soup is too spicy: You can tone down the heat by adding a bit more cream or chicken broth to mellow out the spice level.
Efficient Prep Tips:
- Chop your onion and garlic ahead of time to save time while cooking. You can even use pre-minced garlic to cut down on prep time.
- If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can use a regular blender, but be sure to blend in batches and always cover the lid with a towel to prevent splattering.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
In this article, I’ll walk you through how to create this hearty, flavorful soup, packed with fresh ingredients that you’ll actually want to eat. Whether you’re new to cooking or just looking for a comforting, nutritious dish, this Homemade Tomato Soup will quickly become a staple in your recipe collection. Let’s dive into the process!
Why This Recipe is Perfect for Beginners
As a beginner cook, it’s important to start with recipes that are straightforward and forgiving. This homemade tomato soup fits the bill perfectly. The ingredients are simple, the prep time is short, and the cooking process is forgiving, allowing you to adjust to your taste as you go along.
Here are a few reasons why this recipe is a great choice for beginner cooks:
- Minimal Prep: There’s no complicated chopping or dicing involved. You’ll just need to chop an onion and garlic, making this a quick and easy process.
- Simple Ingredients: All of the ingredients are easy to find at your local grocery store, and the recipe doesn’t require any special tools or gadgets.
- Adjustable to Taste: If you prefer a spicier soup, you can add more red pepper flakes. If you like your soup smoother, just blend it a bit longer. It’s a very forgiving recipe that allows you to get creative and adjust to your preferences.
Now, let’s dive into the details and show you how to create this delicious, homemade tomato soup!
Ingredients and Preparation
To make the best homemade tomato soup, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil or butter: Olive oil gives a subtle fruity flavor, while butter adds richness. Both work well in this recipe, so feel free to use whichever you prefer.
- 1 onion (medium or large): Onion adds a natural sweetness when sautéed and serves as the base of the soup.
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt: Salt enhances all the flavors in the soup.
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper: Adds a mild kick of heat.
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, or to taste): Adds a touch of spice. You can adjust this depending on how spicy you like your soup.
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano: A classic herb that pairs perfectly with tomatoes, adding a savory depth to the soup.
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil: Adds a subtle, aromatic flavor that complements the tomatoes.
- 3 cloves garlic, smashed and minced: Garlic adds a savory, pungent flavor that enhances the depth of the soup.
- 1 28-oz can whole tomatoes: The base of this soup. Whole tomatoes are great because they have more flavor and you can crush them as you cook.
- 1 15-oz can fire-roasted diced tomatoes: Adds a smoky, charred flavor that elevates the soup to the next level.
- 4 cups chicken broth: Provides a savory liquid base for the soup. If you prefer a vegetarian version, you can substitute with vegetable broth.
- 1/2 to 1 cup cream: This will make the soup rich and creamy. You can adjust the amount depending on how creamy you want the soup to be.
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped: Fresh basil adds a refreshing note and a burst of color to the finished soup.
Alternative Ingredient Suggestions:
- Butter vs. Olive Oil: You can use either olive oil or butter. If you prefer a healthier option, olive oil is a great choice as it’s high in healthy fats.
- Broth Substitutes: You can swap chicken broth with vegetable broth or even water, but the chicken broth adds a rich, savory depth.
- Cream Alternatives: If you prefer a dairy-free version, you can use coconut cream or a plant-based cream substitute. This will still provide the creamy texture without the dairy.
- Fresh vs. Dried Basil: Fresh basil adds a nice touch, but if you don’t have it on hand, dried basil works just fine.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables
- Begin by heating your large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil or butter to the pot. Wait for the oil to shimmer or for the butter to melt completely.
- Add the chopped onion to the pot. Sprinkle in the kosher salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, dried oregano, and dried basil. Stir everything together and cook the onion for 5 to 8 minutes, until it becomes lightly browned and softened.
- Once the onion is softened and aromatic, add the minced garlic. Sauté the garlic for 1 more minute, stirring occasionally to avoid burning it. Garlic burns quickly, so keep an eye on it.
Step 2: Add the Tomatoes and Broth
- Now it’s time to add the canned tomatoes. First, pour in the whole tomatoes (with their juices) and the fire-roasted diced tomatoes (also with their juices). Stir the tomatoes into the onions and garlic.
- Next, add the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Once the soup begins to boil, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for at least 10 minutes. If you have more time, you can let it simmer for up to 45 minutes to let the flavors meld together even more.
Step 3: Blend the Soup
- Once the soup has simmered, it’s time to blend it into a smooth, creamy consistency. If you have an immersion blender, this is the perfect time to use it! Just stick it directly into the soup pot and blend until smooth. If you don’t have an immersion blender, let the soup cool for a few minutes before transferring it to a regular blender. Be cautious and blend in batches to avoid overflow, as the soup is very hot. If you’re using a regular blender, remember to remove the little spout at the top and cover it with a towel to allow steam to escape.
Step 4: Finish with Cream
- After blending the soup, heat it back up on the stove if necessary. Stir in the cream slowly, starting with half a cup and adding more if you want a richer, creamier soup. Stir until well combined, then taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
- For a fresh touch, chop up about 1/2 cup of fresh basil and stir it into the soup, or sprinkle it on top as a garnish. This adds a vibrant color and a burst of fresh flavor to the dish.
Beginner Tips and Notes
Troubleshooting Tips:
- If the soup is too thick: Add more chicken broth or a little water to thin it out to your desired consistency.
- If the soup is too salty: Add a little more cream to balance out the flavors, or increase the amount of tomatoes and broth to dilute the saltiness.
- If the soup is too spicy: You can tone down the heat by adding a bit more cream or chicken broth to mellow out the spice level.
Efficient Prep Tips:
- Chop your onion and garlic ahead of time to save time while cooking. You can even use pre-minced garlic to cut down on prep time.
- If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can use a regular blender, but be sure to blend in batches and always cover the lid with a towel to prevent splattering.
Serving Suggestions
While this homemade tomato soup is perfect on its own, it pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides. Here are some ideas to elevate your meal:
- Grilled Cheese Sandwiches: The classic pairing! The crispy, melty sandwich is the perfect complement to the creamy soup. You can even cut the sandwich into small “croutons” to dip in the soup.
- Crusty Bread: Serve with some crusty bread for dipping, like a baguette or sourdough.
- Salad: A fresh green salad with a simple vinaigrette can provide a nice contrast to the richness of the soup.
Storage Tips:
- Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- If you want to freeze the soup, let it cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, just reheat on the stove, adding a little more cream if necessary.
Conclusion
This Homemade Tomato Soup is the ultimate comfort food—rich, creamy, and packed with fresh flavors. It’s perfect for beginner cooks who are looking for a simple yet satisfying dish to make. With just a few basic ingredients and minimal prep time, you’ll be able to create a homemade soup that’s far more flavorful than anything from a can.
I hope this recipe inspires you to get into the kitchen and start cooking! Whether you pair it with a grilled cheese sandwich or serve it with your favorite sides, this homemade tomato soup is sure to become a family favorite. Don’t forget to share your experience in the comments below—let me know how it turns out and if you made any fun tweaks to the recipe!
Happy cooking!