Middle-of-Winter Creamy Tomato Soup (Canned Tomatoes)

Why Make This Recipe

When winter comes, a warm bowl of creamy tomato soup feels like a cozy hug. This soup is simple to make and uses canned tomatoes, so you can enjoy it any time of the year.

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It is creamy, tasty, and perfect for chilly days. Plus, it’s easy to prepare, making it a great choice for families.

How To Make Middle-of-Winter Creamy Tomato Soup

Ingredients:

• 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 a generous pinch of dried thyme)
• One 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
• 2 cups vegetable stock or broth
• Optional: ½ cup dry, unoaked white wine
• 2 cups heavy cream, milk, or unsweetened plant milk of choice (like almond or oat milk)
• Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to season

Directions:

1. Heat the olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot (like a Dutch oven) over medium heat.
2. Once the oil is hot, add the diced onion and carrots. Season with 1 teaspoon of kosher salt and ground black pepper to taste. Cook for about 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften a bit.
3. Stir in the garlic, tomato paste, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for another 1-2 minutes until the tomato paste darkens and the garlic smells good.
4. Add the basil, thyme, crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, and wine. Stir well. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for 15 minutes, partially covering the pot. The vegetables should be tender.
5. Carefully pour the soup into a blender. Do this in batches and only fill the blender up to ⅔ full. Remove the center cap from the lid and cover the hole with a thick kitchen towel while blending. Blend until the soup is smooth and creamy. Return the soup to the pot. If you have an immersion blender, you can blend the soup directly in the pot.
6. Stir in the cream (or chosen milk) and cook over medium-low heat, stirring often until it’s warmed through. Adjust seasoning to your taste.
7. Pour the soup into bowls. You can top it with cracked black pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, and fresh basil if you like. Serve with crusty bread or a gooey mozzarella grilled cheese sandwich. Enjoy!

Prep Time And Nutrition Facts

This recipe takes about 10 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook, making a total of 30 minutes. It serves 4 people, and each serving has about 350 calories, along with a good amount of protein and fat.

How To Serve Middle-of-Winter Creamy Tomato Soup

Serve the creamy tomato soup hot in individual bowls. It goes well with a slice of crusty bread or a cheesy grilled cheese sandwich. You can also garnish the soup with extra herbs or a dash of pepper for more flavor.

How To Store Middle-of-Winter Creamy Tomato Soup

Let any leftover soup cool down before storing it. Place it in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge. It will last about 3-4 days. You can also freeze it for longer storage; just make sure to use a freezer-safe container. When ready to eat, thaw and reheat on the stove or in the microwave.

Tips To Make Middle-of-Winter Creamy Tomato Soup

• Use fresh herbs for more flavor, but dried herbs work fine too.
• For a bit of spice, add more crushed red pepper flakes.
• If you want a healthier option, substitute some of the cream with additional vegetable broth or plant milk.
• Blend the soup until it is as smooth as you like. You can leave some small chunks for texture if you prefer.

Health And Benefits Of This Recipe

This creamy tomato soup is not only delicious but also healthy. Tomatoes are full of vitamins, especially vitamin C, and can help keep your immune system strong. Carrots add fiber and more vitamins. Using olive oil adds heart-healthy fats, while the cream or plant milk gives you good energy. This soup is balanced and filling, making it a satisfying choice for any meal.

Variation

You can change this recipe by adding different vegetables, such as spinach or zucchini. You can also try using different types of herbs or spices, like oregano or cumin, to mix up the flavors.

FAQs

Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?
Yes, you can use fresh tomatoes, but you will need about two pounds. Peel and chop them before cooking.

Is this soup vegan?
It can be made vegan by using plant milk and skipping the heavy cream.

How can I make this soup spicier?
To add more spice, increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes or add some hot sauce while cooking.

Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Yes, you can make it ahead of time. Just store it in the fridge or freezer and reheat it when you’re ready to eat.