This simple tomato soup recipe is a classic comfort food full of robust flavors. It’s made with basic pantry ingredients but turns out a creamy, rich, and delicious soup perfect for a cozy meal.
Whole peeled tomatoes are a key ingredient in this recipe. They are usually available canned at your local supermarket. Look for ones with no added seasonings or spices. Celery seed is another ingredient to take note of. It's less common in spice racks but adds a unique earthy flavor to the soup. You can find it in the spices section at the grocery store.
Simple Tomato Soup Ingredients
Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and depth to the soup. If you only have salted, adjust salt in the recipe accordingly.
Olive oil: Used for sautéing the onions and garlic, it adds a subtle flavor.
Onion: Brings a sweet and savory flavor to the soup.
Garlic: Enhances the flavor of the soup with its pungent and spicy profile.
Whole peeled tomatoes: The star ingredient that gives the soup its main flavor and creamy texture.
Water: Thins the soup to the desired consistency.
Sugar: Balances the acidity of the tomatoes.
Salt: Enhances the other flavors in the soup.
Black Pepper: Gives a touch of heat and sharpness.
Red pepper flakes: Adds a spicy kick, adjust to taste.
Celery seed: Gives the soup an earthy, savory note.
Dried oregano: Adds a hint of aromatic, sharp, and slightly bitter flavor.
One reader, Bernadette Solano says:
This simple tomato soup recipe is a game-changer! The flavors are rich and comforting, and the recipe is so easy to follow. It's the perfect go-to for a quick, delicious meal. I love how the ingredients come together to create a hearty and satisfying soup. Highly recommended!
Techniques Required for Making Simple Tomato Soup
How to sauté onions and garlic: Sautéing onions and garlic is a fundamental cooking technique that involves cooking them in a small amount of fat over medium-low heat until they become soft and translucent, releasing their flavors and aromas.
How to puree soup with an immersion blender: Pureeing soup with an immersion blender involves carefully blending the cooked ingredients directly in the pot until they reach a smooth and creamy consistency.
How to adjust seasoning: Adjusting seasoning involves tasting the soup and adding more salt and pepper as needed to enhance the flavors to your preference.
How to serve tomato soup: Serving tomato soup involves ladling it into bowls and garnishing it with a sprinkle of fresh herbs, a drizzle of olive oil, or a dollop of sour cream, depending on personal preference.
How To Make Simple Tomato Soup
Go back to basics by whipping up this simple, but flavorful tomato soup! It’s easy to make and takes on 30 minutes to cook up.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 1tbspunsalted butteror margarine
- 1tbspolive oil
- 1onionthinly sliced
- 2large garlic clovespeeled and crushed
- 56ozwhole peeled tomatoes2 cans
- 1cupwater
- 1tbspsugar
- 1tspsaltplus more to taste
- freshly ground black pepperto taste
- 1pinchred pepper flakes
- ¼tspcelery seed
- ¼tspdried oregano
Instructions
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Heat butter and olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-low heat.
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Add the onion and garlic, and cook for 5 minutes until onion is soft and translucent.
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Add tomatoes, water, sugar, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, celery seed, and oregano.
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Bring to a boil.
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Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
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Remove from heat, then puree the mixture with an immersion blender.
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Reheat soup until warm and season with more salt and pepper, if desired.
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Serve warm, and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Calories: 106.35kcal
- Fat: 4.78g
- Saturated Fat: 1.63g
- Trans Fat: 0.08g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 2.25g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.55g
- Carbohydrates: 15.58g
- Fiber: 3.85g
- Sugar: 9.95g
- Protein: 2.81g
- Cholesterol: 5.09mg
- Sodium: 404.18mg
- Calcium: 42.89mg
- Potassium: 680.08mg
- Iron: 0.95mg
- Vitamin A: 127.73µg
- Vitamin C: 38.33mg
Technique Tip for Enhancing the Flavor of Tomato Soup
When pureeing the soup with an immersion blender, make sure to blend until the soup is completely smooth for a creamy texture. If you prefer a chunkier soup, you can blend it less. Remember to be careful when blending hot liquids, always start on the lowest speed to avoid splashing.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing This Recipe
Use pre-chopped onions and garlic to save time and effort in the preparation process: Pre-chopped onions and garlic are easily available in most grocery stores and can significantly reduce the time spent on chopping and peeling.
Opt for canned tomatoes: Canned tomatoes are a convenient alternative to fresh ones and can save time on peeling and chopping, while still providing great flavor for the soup.
Invest in an immersion blender: An immersion blender can streamline the pureeing process, eliminating the need to transfer hot soup to a traditional blender in batches.
Multi-task: While the soup is simmering, use that time to prepare any accompanying dishes or set the table to make the most of your time in the kitchen.
Organize ingredients beforehand: Before starting the recipe, gather and organize all the ingredients and utensils needed to avoid last-minute searches and save time during the cooking process.
Substitute Ingredients For Simple Tomato Soup Recipe
unsalted butter - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil can provide a similar richness and flavor to the dish, while also being a healthier alternative.
olive oil - Substitute with vegetable oil: Vegetable oil can be used as a neutral substitute for olive oil in this recipe.
onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots can provide a milder and slightly sweeter flavor compared to onions, adding a unique twist to the soup.
garlic cloves - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used as a convenient substitute for fresh garlic cloves, providing a similar flavor.
whole peeled tomatoes - Substitute with canned crushed tomatoes: Canned crushed tomatoes can be used as a substitute for whole peeled tomatoes, providing a smoother consistency to the soup.
water - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth can add more depth of flavor to the soup compared to water.
sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey can add a touch of sweetness to the soup while also providing a unique flavor profile.
salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used as a substitute for regular salt, providing a slightly different flavor and texture.
red pepper flakes - Substitute with paprika: Paprika can add a mild heat and smokiness to the soup, similar to red pepper flakes.
celery seed - Substitute with celery salt: Celery salt can provide a similar flavor to celery seed while also adding a touch of saltiness to the soup.
dried oregano - Substitute with dried basil: Dried basil can be used as a substitute for oregano, providing a slightly different herbaceous flavor to the soup.
Presentation Ideas for a Delightful Tomato Soup
Elevate the plating: Carefully ladle the vibrant tomato soup into a shallow bowl, ensuring a smooth and even surface.
Garnish with finesse: Sprinkle a pinch of freshly chopped parsley over the soup, adding a pop of color and a hint of freshness.
Incorporate texture: Consider adding a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil to create a beautiful sheen and add a luxurious mouthfeel to the dish.
Pair with artisan bread: Serve alongside a slice of warm, crusty sourdough bread for a delightful contrast in textures and flavors.
Present with precision: Pay attention to the placement of the bowl on the plate, ensuring it is centered and aligned for a visually appealing presentation.
Add a touch of elegance: Consider serving the soup in a porcelain bowl to elevate the dining experience and showcase the vibrant colors of the dish.
Consider the dining experience: Ensure the soup is served at the optimal temperature, allowing the aroma to entice the senses as it is presented to the esteemed guests.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Making Tomato Soup
- Saucepan: A deep cooking pan with a handle and often a lid, used for cooking soups, sauces, and other liquids.
- Immersion blender: A handheld kitchen appliance used for blending and pureeing ingredients directly in the cooking pot or container.
- Knife: A cutting tool with a sharp blade, used for chopping and slicing ingredients.
- Cutting board: A durable board used for cutting and preparing ingredients.
- Measuring cup: A kitchen tool used to measure liquid or dry ingredients.
- Wooden spoon: A cooking utensil with a long handle, typically used for stirring and mixing ingredients.
- Can opener: A tool used for opening cans of ingredients, such as canned tomatoes.
Storage and Freezing Instructions for Tomato Soup
- Let the tomato soup cool completely before storing or freezing.
- Transfer the cooled soup to an airtight container or a freezer-safe bag.
- If using a container, leave about an inch of space at the top to allow for expansion during freezing.
- Label the container or bag with the date and contents.
- Store the soup in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- To freeze, place the container or bag in the freezer and store for up to 3 months.
- When ready to enjoy, thaw the frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight.
- Reheat the thawed or refrigerated soup in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
- If the soup appears too thick after freezing and reheating, add a little water or broth to achieve the desired consistency.
- Adjust the seasonings if needed before serving the reheated soup.
How To Reheat Leftover Tomato Soup
Stovetop method: transfer the leftover tomato soup to a saucepan and reheat it over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. This method allows you to control the temperature and ensure even heating throughout the soup. If the soup appears too thick, you can add a splash of water or broth to thin it out and restore its original consistency.
Microwave method: pour the leftover soup into a microwave-safe bowl and cover it with a lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent for steam to escape. Heat the soup in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until it reaches your desired temperature. Be cautious when removing the bowl from the microwave, as it may be hot.
Slow cooker method: if you have a larger quantity of leftover tomato soup, you can reheat it in a slow cooker. Transfer the soup to the slow cooker, cover it, and set the temperature to low. Allow the soup to reheat for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally, until it is heated through. This method is particularly useful if you want to keep the soup warm for an extended period.
Oven method: preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Pour the leftover soup into an oven-safe dish and cover it with a lid or aluminum foil. Place the dish in the preheated oven and reheat for 15-20 minutes, or until the soup is heated through. Stir the soup halfway through the reheating process to ensure even heating.
Regardless of the reheating method you choose, be sure to taste the soup and adjust the seasoning if needed. You may find that the flavors have intensified or mellowed during storage, so a little extra salt, pepper, or herbs can help revive the taste of your leftover tomato soup.
Interesting Trivia About Tomato Soup
The simple tomato soup recipe is a classic comfort food that can be easily customized with various toppings such as croutons, cheese, or herbs.
Is Making Tomato Soup at Home Cost-Effective?
This simple tomato soup recipe is highly cost-effective for a household. With affordable ingredients like tomatoes, onion, and garlic, it offers a budget-friendly option. The use of basic pantry staples and minimal additional seasonings keeps the cost low. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $10. The overall verdict rating for this recipe is 9/10, considering its economical nature and the delightful flavors it offers.
Is This Tomato Soup Recipe Healthy?
The simple tomato soup recipe is relatively healthy, as it primarily consists of whole peeled tomatoes, which are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The recipe also includes onion and garlic, both of which offer additional health benefits. However, there are a few aspects that could be improved to make the soup even healthier:
- The recipe calls for butter and olive oil, which are sources of fat. While some fat is necessary for a balanced diet, reducing the amount or opting for a healthier alternative, such as using only olive oil, could lower the overall fat content.
- The addition of sugar may not be necessary, as the natural sweetness of the tomatoes should suffice. Omitting the sugar would reduce the soup's calorie content and make it more suitable for those watching their sugar intake.
To further enhance the nutritional value of the soup, consider the following suggestions:
- Incorporate more vegetables, such as carrots, celery, or bell peppers, to increase the fiber content and provide a wider range of vitamins and minerals.
- Use low-sodium vegetable broth instead of water to add more depth of flavor without relying on excessive salt.
- Experiment with different herbs and spices, such as basil, thyme, or smoked paprika, to create a more complex flavor profile while reducing the need for salt.
- Serve the soup with a side of whole-grain bread or crackers to provide additional fiber and nutrients.
- Garnish the soup with fresh herbs, like basil or parsley, to add a pop of color and a burst of fresh flavor.
Editor's Opinion on This Simple Tomato Soup Recipe
This simple tomato soup recipe is a classic and comforting dish that is easy to prepare. The combination of butter, olive oil, and aromatic ingredients like onion and garlic creates a rich and flavorful base. The addition of whole peeled tomatoes, sugar, and a blend of spices adds depth and complexity to the soup. The pureeing process results in a smooth and velvety texture, perfect for a cozy meal. Overall, this recipe offers a delicious and satisfying tomato soup that can be enjoyed on its own or paired with a variety of toppings.
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Why trust this Simple Tomato Soup Recipe:
This recipe guarantees a delicious and comforting tomato soup that will surely satisfy your cravings. The combination of butter and olive oil adds richness and depth of flavor, while the use of whole peeled tomatoes ensures a fresh and authentic taste. The addition of onion and garlic provides aromatic complexity, and the blend of celery seed, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes creates a harmonious balance of flavors. Trust in this recipe for a delightful and heartwarming soup experience.
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