Best Tomato Soup Recipe (2024)

By Laura

Posted Feb 19, 2021, Updated Mar 02, 2024

5 from 213 votes

165 Comments

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The best homemade tomato soup recipe – this roasted tomato basil soup is easy to make with fresh tomatoes, irresistibly creamy & bursting with flavor. It’s a healthy and cozy way to warm up on cold winter days. Follow our step-by-step instructions & watch the video to learn how to make tomato soup from scratch!

Best Tomato Soup Recipe (2)

In my opinion, tomato soup with grilled cheese is the ultimate comfort food. Chilly days make me want to grab a spoon and dive into a bowl of fresh, warm tomato soup – and this recipe is the best of the best!

This roasted tomato basil soup is easy to make with fresh tomatoes, irresistibly creamy & bursting with flavor. It’s a healthy and cozy way to warm up on cold winter days. It’s also a perfect recipe to use fresh garden tomatoes and basil during the late summer months.

Follow our step-by-step instructions & watch the video to learn how to make tomato soup from scratch.

Best Tomato Soup Recipe (3)

Tomato Soup Recipe: Ingredients and Substitutions

As always, I recommend making this tomato basil soup recipe exactly as it’s written, however we’ll discuss the ingredients and possible substitutions.

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  • Tomatoes.Choose a vine-ripened, naturally sweet tomato variety for the best flavor.
  • Onion. a sweet yellow or white onion are the best choices.
  • Garlic.jarred minced garlic can be used in place of freshly chopped.
  • Olive Oil.Any neutral oil works well, my second and third choices would be avocado oil and canola oil.
  • Fresh Basil.This can be omitted but I do not recommend it.
  • Salted Butter. Unsalted butter works well.
  • All-purpose flour.To make this creamy tomato soup gluten-free, use an all-purpose gluten-free flour.
  • Granulated sugar. brown sugar or honey are good substitutes.
  • Vegetable broth.Chicken broth is a great substitute for vegetable broth.
  • Heavy cream.This is optional, but recommended. The cream cuts the acidity of the tomatoes and makes this tomato soup recipe delicious. Whole milk or half and half are great substitutes.
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How to Make Tomato Soup

This homemade tomato soup recipe is very easy to make. As always, we’ll walk through how to make tomato soup step-by-step, and don’t forget to watch the video.

Being making this easy tomato soup by combining tomatoes, onion, and garlic in a large bowl. Toss the ingredients with olive oil, salt and pepper and stir until evenly distributed.

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Next, spread the tomato mixture onto a baking sheet in a single layer and roast for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, remove the tomatoes from the oven, stir, and roast for an additional 15 minutes, broiling during the last 3 minutes so that some of the tomatoes get lightly charred.

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One the tomatoes, onion and garlic are roasted, add the mixture to the container of a high-powered blender (Vitamix), making sure to scrape all the contents from the baking sheet into the blender. Add fresh basil and blend the mixture on high speed until smooth (about 50 seconds).

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Make a Roux

My favorite way to thicken soups, stews, gravy, etc. is by making a roux, which is how we do it in this tomato soup recipe. Begin by melting the butter over medium-high heat in a large pot.

Then, add flour to the melted butter and whisk to combine. Cook until butter and flour mixture is golden brown (30-60 seconds).

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Once the roux is ready, add the broth and sugar to the pot and whisk to combine.

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Next, add the blended mixture to the pot and whisk to combine. If desired (for a creamier soup) add ¼ to ½ cup heavy cream. Cook over medium-low heat for 15 minutes, taste and adjust salt and pepper as desired.

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Serve

Once the soup is ready, serve it warm with your favorite bread and toppings, and definitely make this grilled cheese sandwich! Here are some suggestions:

  • Bread. dip pieces of crusty no-knead bread or pretzel bread into the tomato basil soup.
  • Make homemade croutons or cornbread croutons and serve on top of the soup.
  • Use this homemade whole wheat bread to make a delicious grilled cheese sandwich to dip into the roasted tomato soup.
  • These homemade dinner rolls are a great companion to this creamy tomato soup.
  • Add a swirl of cream, a dash of freshly chopped basil or a spoonful of parmesan cheese to the top!
  • Have a “soup night” and make some of these soup recipes as well: potato soup (seriously the best), chicken noodle soup, sweet potato soup and butternut squash soup.
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Store

Store any leftover roasted tomato soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days.

How to Freeze Tomato Soup

To freeze, let the soup cool to room temperature. Then, transfer it to freezer-friendly containers and freeze for up to 2 months. I recommend freezing it in individually-sized portions or at least in portions that you’d eat in a sitting as a family.

Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in a pot on the stove over medium-low heat.

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Tomato Soup Recipe FAQs

What can I add to tomato soup to make it taste better?

If you make this recipe I promise this soup will taste amazing. You can add a pinch of sugar, fresh herbs (like the basil in this recipe, additional heavy cream, salt and pepper to adjust it to your liking.

Do you need to peel tomatoes for soup?

You do not need to peel tomatoes, especially because the tomato mixture is blended until it’s smooth.

How do you thicken tomato soup?

The roux thickens this recipe. However, you can thicken tomato soup in a few ways:
1) Cook it uncovered until some of the moisture cooks off and it thickens.
2) Add a combination of 1 TBS water and 1 TBS flour or cornstarch and cook uncovered.
3) Add 1 to 2 TBS of tomato paste and cook until thickened.

How do you make tomato soup less acidic?

Full-fat dairy like cream or half and half helps reduce the acidity of tomato soup.

Can you freeze tomato soup?

To freeze, let the soup cool to room temperature. Then, transfer it to freezer-friendly containers and freeze for up to 2 months. I recommend freezing it in individually-sized portions or at least in portions that you’d eat in a sitting as a family.

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If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can see your creations!

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Best Homemade Tomato Soup Recipe

Laura

The best homemade tomato soup recipe – this roasted tomato basil soup is easy to make with fresh tomatoes, irresistibly creamy & bursting with flavor. It’s a healthy and cozy way to warm up on cold winter days, especially served with a grilled cheese sandwich. Follow our step-by-step instructions & watch the video to learn how to make tomato soup from scratch!

5 from 213 votes

Course Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish, Soup

Cuisine American, Italian

Servings 8 Servings

Calories 111

Prep Time5 minutes minutes

Cook Time45 minutes minutes

Total Time50 minutes minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Lightly grease a large baking sheet, set aside.

  • Combine tomatoes, onion, and garlic in a large bowl. Toss with olive oil, salt and pepper and stir until evenly distributed.

  • Spread tomato mixture onto prepared baking sheet in a single layer and roast for 15 minutes.

  • Remove from oven, stir, and roast for an additional 15 minutes, broiling during the last 3 minutes so that some of the tomatoes get lightly charred.

  • Add roasted tomato mixture to the container of a high-powered blender, making sure to scrape all the contents of the baking sheet into the blender.

  • Add fresh basil and blend mixture on high speed until smooth (about 50 seconds).

  • In a large pot, melt butter over medium-high heat.

  • Add flour to melted butter and whisk to combine. Cook until butter and flour mixture is golden brown (30-60 seconds).

  • Add broth and sugar and whisk to combine.

  • Add blended mixture to the pot and whisk to combine. If desired (for a creamier soup) add ¼ to ½ cup heavy cream. Cook over medium-low heat for 15 minutes, taste and adjust salt and pepper as desired.

  • Serve warm with croutons, chopped fresh basil, etc.

Video

Notes

Ingredient Substitution Notes

  • Tomatoes. Choose a vine-ripened, naturally sweet tomato variety for the best flavor.
  • Onion.use a sweet white or yellow onion.
  • Olive Oil.Any neutral oil works well, my second and third choices would be avocado oil and canola oil.
  • Salted Butter. Unsalted butter is a good substitute.
  • All-purpose flour.To make this creamy tomato soup gluten-free, use an all-purpose gluten-free flour.
  • Granulated sugar. brown sugar or honey are good substitutes.
  • Vegetable broth.Chicken broth works well.
  • Heavy cream. Whole milk or half and half are great substitutes.

Store

Store any leftover roasted tomato soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days.

How to Freeze Tomato Soup

To freeze, let the soup cool to room temperature. Then, transfer the tomato soup to freezer-friendly containers and freeze for up to 2 months. I recommend freezing it in individually-sized portions or at least in portions that you’d eat in a sitting as a family.

Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in a pot on the stove over medium-low heat.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 111kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 653mg | Potassium: 421mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1796IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

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Best Tomato Soup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What can I add to tomato soup to make it taste 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

Is tomato sauce or paste better for soup? ›

When to Use Tomato Sauce vs. Tomato Paste in Your Cooking. Each product's texture affects how each is used in cooking. Reach for tomato sauce when you need a liquid vehicle for that tomato flavor, such as in pasta sauce, soups, and stews.

Should I skin tomatoes before making 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 baking soda in tomato soup? ›

baking soda: A small amount of baking soda cuts the acidity of the tomatoes which in turn helps mask the canned flavor. cinnamon: A pinch of cinnamon also helps to hide the canned flavor of the tomatoes.

What takes the bitterness out of tomato soup? ›

Add Some Baking Soda

If your tomato sauce is too acidic and verging on bitter, turn to baking soda, not sugar. Yes, sugar might make the sauce taste better, but good old baking soda is an alkaline that will help balance the excess acid. A little pinch should do the trick.

Is tomato soup better with milk or water? ›

When Made With Milk, Tomato Soup Should Be Rich And Creamy. Not all soups are created equal. A soup made with milk is usually richer and more luxurious than one made with just water or stock. This addition helps make the soup feel more comforting.

Should I remove tomato seeds for soup? ›

You don't need to worry about removing the seeds if you're making a soup or sauce. The seeds will actually add an extra dimension to your dish and if you blend well you won't have to worry about them getting stuck in your teeth. It's a different story if you're making a salad, salsa, omelette or casserole.

How do you balance tomato flavor in soup? ›

Carrot purée adds an earthy sweetness to balance the acidic tomatoes, and creates a creamy consistency without the need for much cream. A small pinch of baking soda will tame any unwanted acidity in the soup.

Should I strain my homemade tomato soup? ›

If you can skin and seed your tomatoes before making the soup you don't have to strain it. But this is time consuming and I found it just easier to strain. Put all the strained soup back in the pot and add the salt and sugar to taste.

Why add sugar to tomato soup? ›

Adding sugar doesn't make this soup sweet; instead, it counteracts the acidity of the tomatoes and is essential for a balanced flavor. I use this trick in many tomato-based recipes, including my popular baked ziti!.

How to thicken homemade tomato soup? ›

You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute. For the best results, never add flour or cornstarch directly to your soup. If you do, it will clump up on top. Instead, ladle a small amount of broth into a separate bowl and let it cool.

Why add tomato paste to tomato soup? ›

What about a creamy tomato soup to go along with your grilled cheese? Tomato paste is a key ingredient that will add tons of tomatoey flavor quickly.

What can I add to soup that is too tomatoey? ›

Herbs and spices can do wonders to balance the acidity in tomato soup. Consider adding a sprinkle of dried basil, oregano, or thyme to enhance the flavors and mask any overpowering acidity. Fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro can also add a burst of freshness to your soup.

What can I add to my soup to give it more flavour? ›

"Ground paprika, turmeric, nutmeg, ground ginger, and other powdered spices add a touch of color and spiciness to broths," she says. As a general rule, use fresh herbs at or near the end of cooking and dried herbs and spices early on. This helps you get the flavors you're looking for in the right balance.

What enhances tomato flavour? ›

Well, if you really want to amp up the taste of your tomatoes, cream of tartar is your answer. Yes, there are other ways to make your tomatoes taste even better and increase the acidity. There is lemon, vinegar, or my personal favorite, balsamic.

How do you make bland soup taste better? ›

Perk up a Bland Soup With Simple Pantry Staples

Chances are, you could use a little more salt. Go ahead—it's ok. Salt perks up flat flavors and helps balance out bitter-tasting ingredients. Some freshly cracked pepper helps, too!

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