Easy Tomato Soup with Canned Tomatoes
Remember eating Campbell’s tomato soup with saltine crackers on a cold day? Well, we promise this creamy tomato soup with canned tomatoes is a way better version. Classic comfort food in 20 minutes.
If you want to up your game, homemade cheese croutons with the soup are a perfect complement (instructions are in the recipe card).
By the way, are fresh tomatoes better than canned? Check it out.
The cream of tomato soup has a deep tomato flavor mellowed by the cream. And the Parmesan croutons are perfect for dipping if you choose to make them. They absorb the soup while still maintaining a bit of crunch.
The whole thing, croutons and all, comes together in under 30 minutes with very few ingredients. Or just 20 minutes without the croutons. Easy to make and really delicious.
There’s no need to wait for tomato season because this recipe uses canned tomatoes which are just as healthy and tasty as fresh tomatoes.
Make a double batch! The soup freezes well for up to 6 months.
Ingredient notes – tailored to your taste
We kept this recipe super simple with basic fridge and pantry staples. The key ingredients are onions, garlic, canned tomatoes, broth, a few seasonings and a splash of half and half cream or heavy cream.
Can you vary this healthy tomato soup? Of course!
Canned tomatoes
- I use canned whole San Marzano tomatoes which have fewer seeds, a heartier, sweeter taste and are less acidic – the perfect plum tomato. I think fire-roasted tomatoes would be great too.
- Or check out the best canned tomatoes below according to a New York Times taste test.
Cream
- You can leave out the cream, but I think it adds a wonderful rich mellowness to the soup.
- For less calories, use whole milk or even 2% milk. Not quite as creamy.
- Feel free to substitute the cream with a dairy free cream or coconut milk (also dairy-free)
Seasoning
- Add herbs such as fresh thyme or basil.
- When it comes to tomato soup, I’m a purist, but feel free to add some heat with red pepper flakes
Add-ins and garnish
- Before adding the cream, stir in fresh, roughly chopped baby spinach until it wilts (1 minute) for added color and nutrients.
- Add fresh thinly sliced fresh basil leaves or additional grated Parmesan as a garnish.
Parmesan Crouton variations
- Cut the croutons into cubes if you prefer. I like using ‘sticks’ as they are easier for dunking.
- Use any firmer-type bread like challah, pumpernickel, artisan, whole grain, baguette or white country bread.
- Alternatively, serve with warm crusty bread.
Step by step instructions
Optional homemade croutons: While soup is cooking, cut 3-4 slices of bread into strips/sticks. Toss with oil, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Bake 6 minutes. Add Parmesan and bake another 4 minutes until golden brown.
Recipe FAQ
Canned tomatoes are low in calories and packed with vitamin C, fiber and antioxidant lycopene which helps lower the risk of heart disease, prostate cancer and macular degeneration. So canned tomatoes – and this creamy tomato soup recipe – is healthy.
Registered dietician Toby Amidor talks about the truth about canned tomatoes and concludes:
– canned goods are just as good as fresh
– no need to worry about BPA’s – the USA Canned Tomato Industry stopped using them years ago
– both canned and fresh produce are equally nutritious
According to a taste test by the Wirecutter and New York Times, here are the best canned tomatoes. They named 3 top brands, with Bianco DiNapoli coming out on top. My faves are still San Marzano whole tomatoes.
According to Bon Appetit, canned tomatoes are better than fresh tomatoes 99% of the time when cooking with tomatoes. Obviously not for salads. Bon Appetit strongly suggests buying whole canned tomatoes instead of diced – and mentions Sclafani as a top choice. Look for ones that list tomatoes and salt. Period.
Make Ahead
- Store in the fridge: The soup can be made up to a week ahead. Leftover soup can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container.
- Freeze: the soup in portions in sealed containers or zipper bags for up to 6 months. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave,
- Croutons can be made a couple of days ahead and stored in a sealed bag or container.
How to serve this creamy tomato soup
- As a starter soup (duh). Serve with the crispy Parmesan croutons, grilled cheese croutons or in a classic combination with a grilled cheese sandwich.
- As a complete lunch or dinner, perfectly paired with our Party Salad with Grilled Vegetables and Quinoa or roast beef sliders. Or drop in some cheese tortellini, gnocchi, white beans or mini dumplings for a more substantial soup.
- As an appetizer served to guests in mini or espresso cups with a garlicky cheesy crouton stick.
Other vegetarian soup recipes you might like
- easy egg drop soup with vegetables
- easy gazpacho recipe (smooth or chunky)
- curried lentil soup (instant pot)
- root vegetable soup with barley
- Thai-inspired butternut squash soup
- hearty ratatouille soup
- broccoli and cauliflower soup (easy to customize)
Please leave a 5 star rating ***** with a comment in the recipe card below if you like the recipe, Thanks so much!
Easy Tomato Soup with Canned Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 cup (52g) chopped onions (1 medium onion)
- 2 teaspoon minced garlic (2 cloves)
- 1 28-ounce can (825ml) whole tomatoes, Note 1
- 1 cup (235ml) vegetable broth or vegetable stock (or chicken broth)
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (or more to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Optional: 1 tsp dried herbs e.g. thyme, basil; or red pepper flakes to taste. Garnish – thinly sliced basil leaves or extra Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup (120ml) half and half cream (10%) heavy cream or whole milk is fine too
Instructions
- MAKE SOUP: Heat oil and butter in a medium or large saucepan on Medium heat. Add onions and garlic. Sauté for 5 minutes until translucent (not brown). Add tomatoes and their juice (crush tomatoes in your hand as you add them to pot or break them up with a spoon in the pot). Add broth, salt, pepper and, if using, chili flakes and/or herbs. Bring to boil, then reduce heat to medium heat and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.While soup is simmering, make parmesan croutons if you like, Note 2.
- FINISH SOUP AND SERVE: Puree soup in pot with a handheld stick/immersion blender until smooth. Or, puree in two batches in a blender. Stir in cream. Taste and adjust seasonings, adding salt, sugar or pepper as needed. Ladle into bowls and serve with cheese crouton sticks in the soup if you like.
Recipe Notes
- Best canned tomatoes: These are the best canned tomatoes according to a taste test by the Wirecutter and New York Times. They named 3 top brands, with Bianco DiNapoli coming out on top. My faves are San Marzano whole tomatoes.
- How to make Parmesan crouton sticks: Heat oven or toaster oven to 400F/204C. Use any firmer-type bread like challah, pumpernickel, artisan, multigrain, baguette or white country bread. While soup is simmering, cut bread slices into 1/2-3/4 inch/1.27-1.9 cm wide sticks. Toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon EACH, garlic powder, salt, black pepper. Bake in single layer on baking sheet for 6 minutes. Remove from oven. Sprinkle on 1/4 cup/22 grams Parmesan cheese (or cheddar) and bake for another 4-minutes or until golden brown. Set aside or, if making ahead, store in sealed bag or container when cooled.
- Variations
- You can leave out the cream, but I think it adds a wonderful mellowness to the soup
- For dairy free, use a dairy free cream or coconut milk (which is also dairy-free)Â
- Puree part of the soup instead of all, leaving some chunks of tomato if you like.
- Before adding the cream, stir in fresh, roughly chopped baby spinach until it wilts (1 minute) for added color and nutrients.
- Make Ahead
- Store in the fridge: The soup can be made up to a week ahead and kept in the fridge in an airtight container.
- Freeze: the soup in portions in sealed containers or zipper bags for up to 6 months. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave,
- Croutons can be made a couple of days ahead and stored in a sealed bag or container.
This soup was so easy to make, with minimal ingredients and delicious. Using San Marzano tomatoes is the key to great tomato flavor. I used Cento San Marzano peeled tomatoes. Next time I will double the batch. Thanks for a great recipe.
You are very welcome Brenda. Sometimes simple (with good quality ingredients) is best.
This is a great recipe! I made mine vegan. It’s so tasty and filling!
I know its just a teaspoon but you don’t need to add sugar. If you really want it to be slightly sweet I would suggest honey instead. More depth of flavor. Too many onions. I would half or even fourth it. It Tomato soup no Onion soup. That being said it was good. I had and used diced Italian style tomatoes. They already have some herbs like thyme, basil, and garlic. I also added some dried herbs including oregano. I’m not sure the reason to use whole instead of diced unless that’s what you have on hand. I had mine with grilled cheese.
Hi D. It’s tricky to match everyone’s personal preferences which is why I always encourage people to ‘tailor the recipe to your taste’ e.g. try the recipe as written the first time and then make adjustments to suit you. I’m glad you still thought it was good 🙂 Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
As for the reason behind using whole vs diced tomatoes, my research shows that whole canned tomatoes are usually higher quality tomatoes, picked and processed at peak ripeness, often resulting in a richer flavor. And when pureed, result in a slightly thicker and creamier texture. I hope that helps.
Super fast and flavourful! Will definitely make again!! Even my kids ate it!!
The kids are the real test! Thanks for leaving a comment 🙂
So easy, so good!
That’s the goal! Thanks Wendy 🙂
This was amazing, now I am wondering why I went my whole life without fresh made tomato soup!
Too funny Gayle. Glad you liked it!
This recipe was very good. We really wanted tomato soup and grilled cheese but only had diced tomatoes, so a search for a recipe using tomatoes from a can turned up this one. My sick kiddo, whose appetite has been nil for a week, said it was the best lunch he has had in a long time. Will be making again!
Sick kiddo-approved! Great to hear! There’s something about tomato soup and grilled cheese that is very comforting. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. Much appreciated.
My family loves this recipe. Perfect for fall/winter nights.
So kind of you to leave a comment. Thank you Tiffany 🙂
This looks so delicious. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Hope you like it!
I love your blog and recipes! Thanks for making our meals so much healthier and really delicious.
https://coolkitchenutensils.com
Thank you Linda! So nice to hear.