We have all been there. It is five o’clock, everyone is hungry, and the question hangs in the air: “What’s for dinner?” It can feel like a daily puzzle. Sometimes you just need simple, comforting, and delicious dinner ideas that don’t require a ton of effort.
Let me introduce you to your new weeknight champion. This is a truly fantastic Thick Tomato Soup Recipe. It is rich, creamy, and packed with flavor that tastes like it simmered for hours, but it comes together so quickly. This is one of those Simple Delicious Recipes you will make again and again.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Honestly, what is not to love? This soup is like a warm hug in a bowl. It is the perfect answer when you need comforting dinner ideas without any fuss.
First off, it relies on pantry staples. We are talking canned tomatoes, onions, and carrots. You probably have most of what you need already. No last minute grocery runs required!
It is also incredibly easy to make. If you are new to cooking or just want a straightforward meal, this Simple Soup Recipe is for you. We build layers of flavor with very little effort.
The texture is just divine. We are talking velvety smooth and super creamy. It is one of the best Smooth Soups you will ever taste, guaranteed to please even the pickiest eaters in your family.
Plus, this recipe is super flexible. You can easily make it dairy free or vegan. You can also adjust the spice level to your liking. It is a recipe that works for you and your family’s needs.
It is the ultimate comfort food. Perfect for a chilly evening, a rainy day, or anytime you need a little bit of warmth and goodness. This is a go to Creamy Tomato Soup For Fall, winter, or really any season.
Ingredients
The beauty of this Soups Recipe lies in its simplicity. We use humble ingredients to create something truly special. No need for a long, complicated shopping list here.
The star of the show is a can of crushed tomatoes. Using canned tomatoes ensures you get a deep, consistent tomato flavor all year round. It is our little secret for making The Best Tomato Soup Recipe even in the middle of winter.
We build our flavor base with classic aromatics. Yellow onion and carrots provide a subtle sweetness, while garlic adds that savory punch we all love. It is a classic combination for a reason!
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 3 medium carrots, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
- 4 tablespoons tomato paste
- optional: up to 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves and tender stems
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or generous pinch dried thyme)
- one 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups vegetable stock or broth
- optional: ½ cup additional vegetable stock or broth and a splash of apple cider vinegar
- 2 cups heavy cream, milk, or unsweetened plant milk of choice
- kosher salt and ground black pepper, to season
Step By Step Instructions
Ready to get cooking? Let’s walk through how to make this amazing Thick Tomato Soup. I promise it is easier than you think. Just follow along, and you will have delicious soup in no time.
Step 1: Cook The Aromatics
First things first, grab a heavy bottomed pot or a Dutch oven. Pour in your olive oil and set it over medium heat. Once the oil shimmers a bit, add the diced onion and carrots.
Sprinkle in about a teaspoon of kosher salt and some black pepper. This helps the veggies release their moisture and start to soften. Let them cook for about 5 to 6 minutes, stirring every so often.
Next, stir in the garlic, tomato paste, and red pepper flakes if you are using them. Cook for another minute or two. You will know it is ready when the garlic smells amazing and the tomato paste darkens slightly. This step deepens the flavor so much.
Step 2: Build And Simmer
Now for the fun part. Add the fresh basil, thyme, crushed tomatoes, and vegetable broth to the pot. If you are using the extra broth and vinegar, add them now too. Give everything a good stir to combine.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low. You want a gentle simmer, not a rolling boil. Partially cover the pot with a lid and let it simmer for 15 minutes. This gives the vegetables time to become completely tender and the flavors to meld together.
Step 3: Blend
This is where the magic happens and we create one of those perfectly Smooth Soups. You have two options here. You can carefully transfer the soup to a stand blender. Just be sure to work in batches and never fill it more than two thirds full.
Here is a crucial safety tip. Remove the small center cap from the blender lid. Cover the opening with a folded kitchen towel. This allows steam to escape safely. Blend until it is super smooth and creamy, then pour it back into the pot.
Your other option is to use an immersion blender. Simply stick it directly into the pot and blend away until you reach your desired consistency. It is a fantastic tool for any Soups Recipe and means less cleanup!
Step 4: Finish The Creamy Tomato Soup
Now that your soup is blended and back in the pot, it is time to make it creamy. Stir in your heavy cream or milk of choice. Cook it over medium low heat, stirring occasionally, just until it is warmed through. You do not want it to boil.
This is also your chance to taste and adjust the seasoning. Does it need more salt? A bit more pepper? Make it perfect for you. This is how you create The Best Tomato Soup Recipe for your family.
Step 5: Serve
Ladle that beautiful soup into bowls. You can top it with a little more black pepper, a pinch of red pepper flakes, or some fresh basil leaves. It is one of those fantastic dinner ideas that looks as good as it tastes.
Of course, this soup is practically begging for a piece of crusty bread for dipping. Or even better, serve it alongside a gooey, cheesy grilled cheese sandwich. Now that is comfort food at its finest.
How To Store Leftovers
One of the best things about this soup is that it is amazing for leftovers. The flavors actually get even better the next day. This makes it a perfect make ahead option for busy weeknight dinner ideas.
To store, let the soup cool completely first. Then, transfer it to an airtight container and pop it in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and delicious for up to 5 days. You can reheat it on the stovetop over low heat or simply in the microwave.
This soup also freezes beautifully. Pour the cooled soup into a freezer safe container or use something like Souper Cubes for perfect individual portions. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Tips
Want to make your soup even better? Here are a few tips and tricks I have learned along the way. These little hints can help you perfect your own version of this Thick Tomato Soup Recipe.
Let’s talk about cream. If you are not worried about it being dairy free, heavy cream or half and half will give you the richest, most luxurious texture. For a lighter but still creamy option, whole milk works great.
For a dairy free version, choose a mild, unsweetened plant milk. Unsweetened almond milk or oat milk are excellent choices. They add creaminess without overpowering the tomato flavor. I would avoid coconut milk as its flavor can be a bit too strong here.
You can also do your prep work in advance. The busiest part of this recipe is just dicing the onion and carrots. You can do this up to 5 days ahead of time and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. When it is time to cook, you are ready to go!
If your soup is not as thick as you would like, just let it simmer uncovered for a little longer. This allows some of the liquid to evaporate and concentrate the flavors, resulting in a perfect Thick Tomato Soup.
Conclusion
So there you have it. A simple, delicious, and incredibly comforting tomato soup that is perfect for any occasion. It is one of those go to dinner ideas that never disappoints.
This Simple Soup Recipe is proof that you do not need fancy ingredients or complicated techniques to make a wonderful meal. It is all about good ingredients cooked with a little bit of love.
The next time you are wondering what to make, I hope you give this recipe a try. It is a fantastic Creamy Tomato Soup For Fall, a cozy winter meal, or a light spring dinner. It truly is a recipe for all seasons and one of our favorite Simple Delicious Recipes.
FAQ
Can I Use Fresh Tomatoes For This Recipe?
You absolutely can! A Fresh Tomato Soup Fall Meal is wonderful. You will need about two pounds of fresh tomatoes, like Romas. You will want to roast them first to deepen their flavor before adding them to the pot. Canned tomatoes just provide great consistency and ease.
How Can I Make This Soup Vegan?
It is very easy to make this recipe vegan. The base is already vegan friendly. Just make sure you use vegetable broth. For the creaminess, simply swap the heavy cream for your favorite unsweetened plant milk, like almond, soy, or oat milk. It will be just as delicious.
My Soup Isn’t Very Thick. How Can I Fix It?
No problem. The easiest way to get a Thick Tomato Soup is to let it simmer uncovered for an extra 10 to 15 minutes after blending. This allows excess water to evaporate. Just be sure to stir it occasionally so it does not stick to the bottom of the pot.
What If I Don’t Have An Immersion Blender?
A stand blender works perfectly well. The most important thing is to be safe. Let the soup cool for a few minutes before transferring it. Work in small batches, and remember to remove the center cap of the lid and cover the hole with a towel to let steam escape.
Thick Tomato Soup Recipe
This Thick Tomato Soup is a comforting and creamy weeknight champion. Made with pantry staples, it’s a simple, fuss-free recipe that tastes like it simmered for hours.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and carrots, with salt and pepper, and cook for 5-6 minutes until softened.
- Stir in garlic, tomato paste, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant and tomato paste darkens.
- Add fresh basil, thyme, crushed tomatoes, and vegetable broth (plus optional extra broth and vinegar). Stir to combine.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover partially, and simmer for 15 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Carefully blend the soup until smooth using an immersion blender directly in the pot or by transferring in batches to a stand blender (remove the center cap and cover with a towel for steam).
- Return soup to the pot if using a stand blender. Stir in heavy cream or milk of choice and heat gently until warmed through (do not boil).
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Ladle into bowls and serve hot.
Notes
For a dairy-free or vegan version, use unsweetened plant milk like almond, soy, or oat milk instead of heavy cream. Avoid coconut milk as its flavor can be too strong.
If the soup is not thick enough, simmer it uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes after blending to allow excess liquid to evaporate.
You can prepare the diced onions and carrots up to 5 days in advance and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
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