This Creamy Tomato Soup is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines the tanginess of tomatoes with the richness of coconut milk or heavy cream. It’s perfect for pairing with a grilled cheese sandwich or enjoying on its own.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rich and Creamy Texture: The addition of coconut milk or heavy cream gives the soup a velvety smoothness.
- Simple Ingredients: Made with pantry staples like canned diced tomatoes and basic aromatics.
- Quick and Easy: Ready in under an hour, making it a convenient meal option.
- Versatile: Customize with herbs and spices to suit your taste preferences.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- For the Soup:
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (or an additional 2 tablespoons olive oil for a dairy-free version)
- 2 medium yellow onions, chopped
- 2 medium carrots, chopped
- 6 garlic cloves, chopped
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 (28-ounce) cans diced tomatoes
- 3 cups water or vegetable broth
- 1⅓ cups full-fat coconut milk or heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Directions
-
Sauté the Aromatics: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onions, carrots, and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften, about 8 minutes.
-
Add Garlic and Vinegar: Stir in the chopped garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant. Add the balsamic vinegar and cook for another minute, allowing it to reduce slightly.
-
Add Tomatoes and Broth: Pour in the diced tomatoes (with their juices) and vegetable broth. Stir to combine.
-
Season: Add the dried thyme, red pepper flakes, and freshly ground black pepper. Stir well and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it cook for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the carrots are tender.
-
Blend the Soup: Remove the pot from heat. Using an immersion blender, blend the soup until smooth. Alternatively, carefully transfer the soup in batches to a countertop blender, blend until smooth, and return it to the pot.
-
Add Creaminess: Stir in the coconut milk or heavy cream until well combined. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
-
Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls, garnish with fresh basil leaves, and enjoy hot.
Servings and Timing
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Servings: 6
Variations
- Herbs: Add fresh basil or oregano for a burst of herbal flavor.
- Spices: Incorporate a pinch of smoked paprika or a dash of hot sauce for added depth.
- Add-ins: Stir in cooked pasta, rice, or quinoa for a heartier soup.
- Dairy-Free: Use coconut milk instead of heavy cream for a dairy-free version.
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigeration: Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: Allow the soup to cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- Reheating: Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through.
FAQs
Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?
Yes, you can use fresh tomatoes. Roast them first to enhance their flavor, then peel and chop before adding to the soup.
Is this soup vegan?
Yes, if you use coconut milk and vegan butter or additional olive oil, the soup is vegan.
Can I make this soup spicier?
Yes, add more red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to increase the heat.
How can I make this soup thicker?
For a thicker soup, blend a portion of the soup and return it to the pot, or add a small amount of tomato paste.
Can I add other vegetables to this soup?
Absolutely! Feel free to add vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach for added nutrition and flavor.
Conclusion
This Creamy Tomato Soup is a comforting and flavorful dish that’s perfect for any occasion. Its rich texture and tangy taste make it a timeless classic. Enjoy it with a side of crusty bread or a grilled cheese sandwich for a complete meal.
Print
Creamy Tomato Soup
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Creamy Tomato Soup is a comforting, rich dish that combines the tanginess of tomatoes with the velvety smoothness of coconut milk or heavy cream. Perfect for pairing with a grilled cheese sandwich or enjoyed on its own, this simple yet flavorful soup is a timeless classic.
Ingredients
For the Soup:
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter (or an additional 2 tbsp olive oil for a dairy-free version)
- 2 medium yellow onions, chopped
- 2 medium carrots, chopped
- 6 garlic cloves, chopped
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 2 (28-ounce) cans diced tomatoes
- 3 cups water or vegetable broth
- 1⅓ cups full-fat coconut milk or heavy cream
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
-
Sauté the Aromatics:
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onions, carrots, and a pinch of salt.
- Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 8 minutes, until the vegetables soften.
-
Add Garlic and Vinegar:
- Stir in the chopped garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Add the balsamic vinegar and cook for another minute, allowing it to reduce slightly.
-
Add Tomatoes and Broth:
- Pour in the diced tomatoes (with their juices) and vegetable broth.
- Stir to combine.
-
Season:
- Add the dried thyme, red pepper flakes, and freshly ground black pepper.
- Stir well and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Let it cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the carrots are tender.
-
Blend the Soup:
- Remove the pot from heat.
- Use an immersion blender to blend the soup until smooth.
- Alternatively, carefully transfer the soup in batches to a countertop blender, blend until smooth, and return to the pot.
-
Add Creaminess:
- Stir in the coconut milk or heavy cream until well combined.
- Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
-
Serve:
- Ladle the soup into bowls, garnish with fresh basil leaves, and enjoy hot.
Notes
- Herbs: Add fresh basil or oregano for extra herbal flavor.
- Spices: Add a pinch of smoked paprika or a dash of hot sauce for depth and heat.
- Add-ins: Stir in cooked pasta, rice, or quinoa for a heartier soup.
- Dairy-Free: Use coconut milk instead of heavy cream for a dairy-free version.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Sautéing, Blending
- Cuisine: American
