Homemade Tomato Soup Recipe

Cozy Homemade Tomato Soup Recipe to Warm Your Soul

Slurping spoonfuls of creamy homemade tomato soup warms every corner of your soul on chilly afternoons.

Fresh, ripe tomatoes burst with vibrant flavor in this classic comfort dish.

Each ingredient carefully selected transforms an ordinary meal into a culinary delight.

The secret lies in balancing robust tomato richness with delicate herbs and spices.

Blending techniques create a smooth, velvety texture that melts in your mouth.

No store-bought version can match the depth and warmth of this homemade recipe.

Serve steaming hot with a crispy grilled cheese sandwich for the ultimate comfort meal that will make your taste buds dance.

Classic Comfort Soup Ingredients Needed

Main Ingredients:
  • Butter: Provides rich, creamy flavor and helps develop a smooth base for the soup.
  • Olive Oil: Adds depth of flavor and prevents butter from burning.
  • Onions: Creates a sweet and aromatic foundation for the soup.
  • Flour: Helps thicken the soup and creates a smooth roux.
  • Stock: Builds the liquid base and adds depth of flavor to the soup.
Tomato Components:
  • Tomatoes: Adds fresh, bright flavor and provides natural acidity to the soup.
  • Tomato Paste: Concentrates tomato flavor and helps deepen the soup's color and taste.
Seasonings:
  • Salt, Pepper: Enhances and balances the overall flavor of the soup.

Simple Steps for Comfort Soup

Step 1: Warm Up The Cooking Vessel

Place a large Dutch oven on the stove.

Drizzle butter and oil into the pot, allowing them to mingle and create a flavorful base.

Toss in chopped onions and let them dance around the pan, softening and releasing their sweet aroma until they become translucent and tender.

Step 2: Create A Silky Foundation

Sprinkle flour over the softened onions, stirring gently to coat each piece.

Slowly pour in warm stock, whisking continuously to prevent any lumps from forming.

Watch as the mixture transforms into a smooth, creamy base that will give your soup its rich texture.

Step 3: Build Layers Of Flavor

Add ripe tomatoes, concentrated tomato paste, and a blend of aromatic seasonings to the pot.

Let the ingredients simmer together, melding their flavors and creating a harmonious symphony of taste.

Allow the soup to bubble gently for about 15 minutes, letting the ingredients get to know each other.

Step 4: Transform Texture

Grab an immersion blender or transfer the mixture to a food processor.

Blend until the soup becomes wonderfully smooth and creamy, with no chunks remaining.

The result should be a velvety, uniform consistency that glides effortlessly across your palate.

Comfort Soup Pro Tips and Tricks

  • Stir onions constantly during sauteing to avoid scorching and develop rich, golden color without bitter undertones.
  • Adjust stock amount gradually to achieve desired soup consistency, adding more liquid if too thick or simmering longer if too thin.
  • Roast tomatoes briefly before adding to intensify natural sweetness and create deeper, more complex taste profile.
  • Use gentle, consistent motion with immersion blender to ensure uniform texture without creating air bubbles or lumps.
  • Taste soup before final seasoning and add salt incrementally to balance flavors without over-salting.

Variations for Classic Comfort Soup Fans

  • Dairy-Free Delight: Replace butter with olive oil and use vegetable stock for a lactose-free version that's light and heart-healthy.
  • Spicy Southwest Spin: Add diced green chilies, cumin, and a dash of cayenne pepper to transform the soup into a zesty, warming meal with Mexican-inspired flavors.
  • Protein Power Bowl: Stir in cooked shredded chicken or white beans to boost protein content and create a more substantial, filling soup for active individuals.
  • Roasted Vegetable Remix: Substitute fresh tomatoes with oven-roasted vegetables like bell peppers and carrots to add deeper, caramelized notes and enhance the soup's complexity.

How to Serve Classic Comfort Soup

  • Rustic Bread Dip: Slice crusty sourdough or baguette, toast lightly, and serve alongside the soup for dipping and soaking up rich flavors.
  • Creamy Cheese Topper: Sprinkle grated parmesan or crumbled goat cheese on top for an extra layer of tangy richness and smooth texture.
  • Fresh Herb Garnish: Chop fresh basil or parsley and scatter over the soup just before serving to add bright color and aromatic freshness.
  • Protein Booster: Add cooked shredded chicken or crispy bacon bits to transform the soup into a more substantial meal with extra protein.

Keeping Classic Comfort Soup Fresh

  • – Refrigerate Store leftover soup in airtight containers for up to 4 days, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor retention.
  • – Freeze Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months without compromising taste.
  • – Reheat Thaw frozen soup overnight in the refrigerator. Warm gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching and maintain smooth consistency.
  • – Revive Add a splash of fresh stock or water when reheating to restore the soup's original creamy texture and prevent it from becoming too thick.

FAQs

  • What type of stock works best for this soup?

Chicken or vegetable stock are ideal, providing rich flavor and smooth consistency. Homemade stock elevates the taste, but high-quality store-bought works perfectly too.

  • Can I make this soup dairy-free?

Yes, simply replace butter with olive oil or plant-based margarine. Use dairy-free stock and skip any cream for a vegan-friendly version.

  • How fine should I chop the onions?

Dice onions into small, uniform pieces about 1/4 inch. This ensures even cooking and helps them soften quickly without burning.

  • Do I need special equipment to blend the soup?

An immersion blender is convenient, but a standard food processor or standard blender works great. Just be careful when transferring hot liquid to blend safely.

Classic Comfort Soup What Makes It Special

  • Whip Up Easily: Minimal ingredients and straightforward steps make this soup a breeze for home cooks of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned chefs.
  • Warm Comfort Guaranteed: Rich, velvety texture and classic flavor profile provide ultimate comfort food experience perfect for chilly days or when craving something soothing.
  • Quick Weeknight Wonder: Requires less than 30 minutes from start to finish, making it an ideal meal solution for busy families seeking delicious and nutritious dinner options.
  • Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Simple enough to serve as a cozy family meal yet elegant enough to impress guests at casual gatherings or potluck events.
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Homemade Tomato Soup Recipe

Homemade Tomato Soup Recipe


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4.7 from 24 reviews

  • Total Time: 32 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Savory homemade tomato soup delivers comfort in a bowl, blending garden-fresh ingredients with rich, hearty flavors. Creamy, smooth, and perfectly seasoned, this classic recipe invites you to savor each spoonful of warmth and nostalgia.


Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables and Aromatics:

  • 1 sweet onion, diced
  • 1 large garlic clove

Tomato Base:

  • 28 ounces (794 grams) canned whole tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon white sugar

Cooking Fats and Seasonings:

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1.5 cups (360 milliliters) chicken or vegetable stock, warmed
  • 0.5 teaspoon fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried)
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Warm butter and olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat, gently sautéing chopped onions until translucent and softened, approximately 5-7 minutes.
  2. Sprinkle flour over the caramelized onions, stirring continuously to create a roux and prevent burning, then slowly incorporate warm stock while whisking to eliminate lumps.
  3. Introduce diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and selected seasonings into the liquid base, allowing the mixture to gently simmer for 15 minutes, developing rich flavors and harmonizing ingredients.
  4. Utilize an immersion blender or transfer contents to a food processor, processing until the soup reaches a velvety, uniform consistency with no visible chunks, ensuring a smooth texture throughout.

Notes

  • Master the onion sauté by cooking slowly over medium-low heat to develop deep, sweet flavors without burning.
  • Create a silky smooth texture by blending in batches and passing through a fine-mesh strainer to remove any lumps.
  • Enhance dairy-free version by substituting butter with olive oil and using vegetable stock instead of traditional chicken stock.
  • Elevate soup’s richness by garnishing with fresh herbs like basil or thyme, adding a bright counterpoint to the hearty base.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 22 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 200
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 500 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 10 mg
Lena Martinez

Lena Martinez

Contributing Writer & Culinary Educator

Expertise

Southwestern and Latin American cuisines, Vegetarian and plant-based recipe development, Culinary education and community outreach ​

Education

Santa Fe Community College, Santa Fe, NM
Certificate in Culinary Arts

Emphasized Southwestern cuisine and sustainable cooking practices


Lena grew up surrounded by the colors, spices, and traditions of the Southwest – flavors that sparked her love for bold, honest cooking. After earning her Culinary Arts certificate at Santa Fe Community College, she made it her mission to teach home cooks how to create flavorful, plant-powered meals without the fuss.
Her recipes are packed with vibrant ingredients, simple steps, and the kind of heart that turns a regular meal into something you’ll want to share. Outside the kitchen, Lena spends her time wandering farmers’ markets, trading family recipes, and helping young chefs find their voice through food.

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