There’s something undeniably magical about Classic Tomato Soup—it’s comfort food that instantly brings back warm memories of home-cooked meals, rainy days, and cozy evenings spent with family. This timeless recipe takes humble ingredients and turns them into a silky, bright, and deeply flavorful bowl that’s perfect in every season. Whether you savor it solo, alongside a perfectly crisp grilled cheese, or topped with fresh basil, this soup deserves to be in every home cook’s repertoire. If you’ve never made Classic Tomato Soup from scratch, prepare for a little bit of kitchen magic.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll be amazed at how a few simple pantry staples transform into a velvety, vibrant Classic Tomato Soup. Each ingredient plays a small but mighty role, lending depth, body, or brightness to this classic dish. Let’s take a closer look at the lineup:
- Olive Oil: Gives the base a luscious richness and helps coax out the sweetness of the onions.
- Onion: Adds gentle sweetness and a savory backbone that rounds out the tomato flavor.
- Garlic: Delivers aromatic warmth, ensuring your soup is anything but bland.
- Tomato Paste: Packs an intense tomato punch for deeper color and flavor.
- Dried Oregano: Simple and classic, it infuses the soup with a comforting Italian note.
- Red Pepper Flakes (optional): Brings subtle heat, perfect for a little zesty kick.
- Whole Peeled Canned Tomatoes: The heart of the soup—choose good-quality cans for the brightest flavor.
- Vegetable Broth: Lends extra body and makes the soup sippable without diluting its tang.
- Sugar: Just a touch balances the acidity of the tomatoes—don’t skip it!
- Salt: Essential to amplifying all the vibrant flavors in the pot.
- Black Pepper: Rounds out the flavors with the faintest hint of heat.
- Heavy Cream (optional): Swirled in at the end, it turns your soup dreamy and ultra-creamy.
- Chopped Fresh Basil: An aromatic and colorful finishing touch that sings summer in every spoonful.
How to Make Classic Tomato Soup
Step 1: Saute the Aromatics
Start with a large pot on medium heat and drizzle in the olive oil. Once shimmering, add your chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5–6 minutes until it softens and becomes translucent. This slow sauté is crucial—it mellows the onion’s sharpness and gives the soup a sweet, savory base. Add the minced garlic next, plus the tomato paste, oregano, and (if you love a gentle kick) red pepper flakes. Keep stirring for another 1–2 minutes until the mixture is fragrant and the tomato paste has darkened slightly, unlocking even more flavor.
Step 2: Simmer the Tomatoes
Pour in the whole canned tomatoes—juices and all—followed by the vegetable broth. Sprinkle in the sugar, salt, and black pepper. Give everything a good stir and bring the mixture up to a boil, then lower the heat so it barely bubbles. You’ll want to let this simmer, uncovered, for 20–25 minutes. This gives time for the flavors to marry and for the soup to deepen in color and intensity. If you have a wooden spoon, gently break up the tomatoes as it simmers for an even, velvety consistency later.
Step 3: Blend Until Silky Smooth
Once the soup has simmered to fragrant perfection, remove the pot from the heat. If you own an immersion blender, here’s where it shines—simply blitz the soup right in the pot until it’s as smooth as you like. No immersion blender? No worries! Scoop the soup into a standard blender in batches and pulse carefully. However you do it, blending brings that classic creamy texture we all crave in Classic Tomato Soup.
Step 4: Finish and Serve
Return the blended soup to your pot and set it over low heat. If you’re craving luxury (and don’t mind the cream), pour in a glug of heavy cream and stir until the color blushes and the soup turns ultra-smooth. Taste and adjust the salt, pepper, or sugar to your liking—everyone’s preferences are a little different. Ladle the steaming soup into bowls and shower with fresh basil before serving hot.
How to Serve Classic Tomato Soup
Garnishes
Fresh basil is a traditional finishing touch for Classic Tomato Soup, but don’t stop there! Try a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, a swirl of cream, a sprinkle of cracked black pepper, or even freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Each garnish adds its own layer of flavor and visual appeal, making your bowl feel restaurant special.
Side Dishes
Nothing is as iconic as pairing Classic Tomato Soup with a gooey grilled cheese sandwich—the buttery, melty combo is pure comfort. If you want to branch out, serve with a crusty baguette, cheesy garlic bread, or even a crisp green salad for a lighter contrast. Soup and sides have never looked (or tasted) better!
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re serving a crowd, consider offering the soup in mini mugs or shot glasses for an appetizer. You can hollow-out small bread rolls to make edible “bowls” for a fun, rustic twist. Or, top each bowl with a dollop of pesto or a few well-placed homemade croutons to take Classic Tomato Soup to gourmet heights.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let any leftover Classic Tomato Soup cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It’ll keep fresh in the refrigerator for up to four days, and the flavors may even deepen as it sits. Remember to label and date your container if you’re prepping ahead!
Freezing
Classic Tomato Soup freezes beautifully, making it an ideal meal-prep option. Cool the soup to room temperature, then portion it into freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags (leave a little space for expansion). It’ll keep for up to three months—just skip the cream if you’re planning to freeze and add it after reheating.
Reheating
Warm leftover soup gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until hot. You can also use the microwave in short bursts, pausing to stir and check for even heating. If the soup thickens in the fridge, simply add a splash of broth or water to reach your desired consistency.
FAQs
Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?
Absolutely! During peak tomato season, ripe fresh tomatoes will yield a stunning soup. Simply chop and simmer them a bit longer to soften. Consider peeling for supreme smoothness—just blanch them briefly, slip off their skins, and proceed as written.
Is Classic Tomato Soup gluten-free?
Yes, this Classic Tomato Soup recipe is naturally gluten-free as written. Just be sure your vegetable broth is gluten-free too, as some brands might add thickeners or flavorings that contain gluten.
Can I make this soup vegan?
Definitely! Just omit the heavy cream or use a plant-based alternative like coconut milk or a splash of unsweetened cashew cream for added richness. The soup is already naturally vegetarian and bursting with flavor.
Can I add other vegetables?
Of course! Feel free to toss in a diced carrot or celery stalk with your onions if you want to deepen the flavor further. Roasted red peppers also blend beautifully into Classic Tomato Soup for a subtle twist.
What’s the best way to get a silky-smooth texture?
For ultra-smooth soup, a high-powered blender or immersion blender is your best friend. Straining the blended soup through a fine mesh sieve removes any last bits of tomato skin or seed, making your Classic Tomato Soup extra velvety.
Final Thoughts
There’s a special kind of happiness in making and sharing Classic Tomato Soup—each ladleful is packed with simple comforts and bold flavors. Give this recipe a spot in your rotation, and you’ll have a soul-warming meal in just about half an hour. Here’s to many cozy bowls ahead!
Print
Classic Tomato Soup Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the comforting warmth of this Classic Tomato Soup, a creamy and flavorful dish perfect for any time of year. With simple ingredients and easy steps, this homemade soup will become a go-to favorite.
Ingredients
For the Soup:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 (14.5 oz) cans whole peeled tomatoes
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For Garnish:
- 1/4 cup heavy cream (optional)
- Chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Saute Aromatics: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened. Stir in garlic, tomato paste, oregano, and red pepper flakes.
- Cook Soup: Add tomatoes, broth, sugar, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 20–25 minutes to blend flavors.
- Puree Soup: Remove from heat and blend until smooth.
- Final Touches: Return to pot, stir in cream if using, and adjust seasoning. Serve hot, garnished with basil.
Notes
- Pair with grilled cheese for a comforting meal.
- For a dairy-free version, skip the cream or use coconut milk for a hint of sweetness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
