There are few things as wonderfully restorative as a bowl of hot soup, especially when the weather turns cool. We believe we have perfected the art of the classic tomato soup, creating a version that is exceptionally rich, velvety, and deeply satisfying. It’s time to set aside any memories of lacklustre tinned soup. We’re going to guide you through crafting the ultimate Creamy Tomato Soup using ingredients that are likely already in your pantry. Consider this recipe a comforting embrace in a bowl, designed to bring a little sunshine to even the dullest of days.

Our method elevates the simple tinned tomato into a truly luxurious dish, brimming with a depth of flavour that will have your family requesting another serving. Best of all, it’s remarkably straightforward and quick to prepare, making it the ideal partner for a perfectly toasted, cheese-filled sandwich. Let’s head to the kitchen and whip up a soup that offers pure, unadulterated comfort.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Luxuriously Smooth Texture: A small amount of double cream is our secret to a wonderfully silky consistency that feels rich and indulgent yet remains beautifully light.
• Quick and Effortless: You can have this comforting meal ready from start to finish in less than half an hour, making it an absolute lifesaver for busy weeknights.
• Made from Kitchen Basics: This recipe calls for simple, everyday ingredients like tinned tomatoes, onion, and stock, so you can likely make it without a trip to the supermarket.
• Superior Homemade Flavour: The taste of this homemade tomato soup is in a different league to shop-bought varieties. Its vibrant, deep flavour is something you’ll want to experience again and again.
• Ideal for Making Ahead: Prepare a large batch over the weekend for convenient meals throughout the week. It stores perfectly in the fridge or freezer, and the flavour only improves with time.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 large white onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 (400g) tins of good-quality chopped tomatoes
• 500ml vegetable stock
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp sugar (to balance the acidity of the tomatoes)
• 100ml double cream
• Salt to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste

How to Craft the Perfect Creamy Tomato Soup

The journey to creating this delightful soup is wonderfully straightforward. We’ve outlined the process in five simple stages to ensure you achieve flawless results. Let’s begin, and soon you’ll be enjoying your very own bowl of homemade goodness.

1. Sauté the Aromatics

   Begin by heating the olive oil and butter in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over a medium heat. Once the butter is sizzling, add the finely chopped onion. Cook gently for 5-7 minutes, stirring now and then, until the onion is soft and translucent. Now, stir in the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until its wonderful aroma is released, taking care not to let it brown.

2. Build the Flavour Base

   Next, it’s time to pour in the tinned tomatoes. We always find that a good-quality brand significantly enhances the soup’s final taste. This is one of our go-to canned tomato recipes for its simplicity and depth. Add the vegetable stock, dried basil, oregano, and the spoonful of sugar. Stir everything together thoroughly.

3. Simmer to Perfection

   Increase the heat to bring the soup to a gentle boil, then immediately turn it down to low. Pop a lid on the pan and allow it to simmer for a minimum of 15 minutes. This crucial step lets the flavours meld and develop into a cohesive, delicious whole. If you have more time, a longer simmer will only deepen the flavour further.

4. Blend for a Silky Smooth Finish

   This is where we create that signature velvety texture. The simplest way is to use an immersion blender directly in the pot until the soup is completely smooth. If you’re using a stand blender, work in batches. Allow the soup to cool for a few minutes before transferring it, and avoid filling the jug more than halfway, as hot liquid can expand during blending.

5. Add the Final Creamy Touch

   Pour the smooth soup back into the saucepan over a low heat. Gently stir in the double cream until it’s fully incorporated. Warm the soup through for a minute or two, but it’s important not to let it boil, which could cause the cream to split. Finally, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your liking. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Top Tips for the Best Tomato Soup

Our recipe is wonderfully simple, but a few expert pointers can take your homemade soup to the next level of deliciousness.

• Choose Your Tomatoes Wisely: As tomatoes are the main ingredient, using a high-quality tinned variety, such as San Marzano, will reward you with a naturally sweeter and more robust flavour.
• A Touch of Sugar is Essential: It might seem unusual, but adding a small amount of sugar is key. It doesn’t make the soup sweet; instead, it expertly balances the natural acidity of the tomatoes for a perfectly rounded taste.
• Enhance the Depth: For an even more complex flavour profile, consider adding a dash of balsamic vinegar as the soup simmers, or even drop in a Parmesan rind (just be sure to fish it out before blending!).
• A Healthy Choice: This soup isn’t just comforting; it’s also nourishing. Tomatoes are an excellent source of the antioxidant lycopene. A varied diet is key to well-being, as highlighted by the NHS Eatwell Guide.

The Perfect Pairings for Your Soup

While this soup is magnificent by itself, it becomes truly iconic when paired with a classic companion. It is, without a doubt, the ultimate grilled cheese partner. There’s nothing quite like the combination of crisp, golden bread and molten cheese against the rich, smooth soup—perfect for dunking!

Beyond the classic, here are a few other wonderful ideas:

• Warm, crusty bread or sourdough for dipping.
• Homemade garlic and herb croutons for a bit of crunch.
• A swirl of green pesto or a dollop of crème fraîche.
• A sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.

If you’re looking for another comforting dish to add to your weekly menu, we highly recommend our delightful Cheeseburger Lasagna Recipe.

Make it an Easy Winter Soup for the Family

During the cooler seasons, this recipe truly comes into its own. It’s the very essence of an easy winter soup, especially because it’s so well-suited to advance preparation. Kept in an airtight container in the fridge, it will last for up to four days. In fact, we find the flavours meld and become even richer the next day, making it perfect for work lunches.

This soup also freezes beautifully for up to three months. For the best results, we advise freezing the soup base *without* the cream, as dairy can change texture upon reheating. Just allow the blended soup to cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers. To serve, simply defrost overnight in the refrigerator, warm it through on the stove, and then stir in the cream. For another simple and satisfying meal idea, have a look at our Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders.

FAQ

A Bowl of Pure Comfort Awaits

And there you have it—an uncomplicated, elegant recipe for a deeply comforting creamy tomato soup that is guaranteed to bring a smile to anyone’s face. It serves as a wonderful reminder that the most delicious meals often come from the simplest of ingredients and methods. This is a recipe we cherish, and we truly hope it becomes a beloved staple in your kitchen as well.

We are so excited for you to make this and discover the pure pleasure of a perfect bowl of soup. We would love to hear how it turns out for you, so please feel free to share your thoughts or any creative additions you made in the comments below!

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Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 large white onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 (400g) tins of good-quality chopped tomatoes
• 500ml vegetable stock
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp sugar
• 100ml double cream
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Heat oil and butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Sauté the onion for 5-7 minutes until soft. Add the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until fragrant.
2. Pour in the tinned tomatoes, vegetable stock, dried basil, oregano, and sugar. Stir to combine, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 15 minutes.
3. Use an immersion blender to blend the soup directly in the pan until completely smooth. Alternatively, carefully transfer the soup in batches to a stand blender and blend until smooth.
4. Return the soup to the saucepan over low heat. Gently stir in the double cream and warm through without boiling.
5. Season with salt and pepper to your personal taste. Serve hot and enjoy.

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