Creamy Tomato Soup Recipe

This Creamy Tomato Soup is a velvety, savory hug in a bowl—bursting with roasted tomato flavor, softly sweet veggies, and a swirl of lusciously melted cream cheese. With a gorgeous orange-red color and rich herb fragrance, it’s comfort food that feels both classic and incredibly special (especially with cheesy mozzarella balls for dunking!).

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Creamy Tomato Soup keeps it simple with pantry staples and fresh veggies, yet every ingredient shines through. Each component—tomatoes for richness, cream cheese for that luxurious mouthfeel, and just a handful of aromatics—brings unique flavor, texture, or a pop of color to your bowl.

• Tomato Sauce (15 oz can): Opt for pureed tomatoes—this is your base for that classic, tomato-forward flavor.
• Fire Roasted Tomatoes (15 oz can): Adds deep, smoky, slightly sweet layers that set this soup apart from the ordinary.
• Yellow Onion (2–2.5 cups, diced): Sauteed until soft, they infuse every bite with mellow sweetness.
• Vegetable Broth (1 cup): Balances the acidity of the tomatoes and keeps the soup silky, not stodgy.
• Grape Seed or Olive Oil (2 TBSP): For sautéing the veggies—the right oil makes all the difference!
• Garlic (2 cloves, minced): Just a hint, sautéed until fragrant, brings out the best in the tomatoes.
• Celery (2 stalks, 1/2 cup diced): This underrated veggie rounds out the aromatic base for a complex soup.
• Baby Carrots (10, chopped): They add sweetness and a lovely hint of color; you can sub with regular carrots if needed.
• Cream Cheese (5–6 oz): Swirled in at the end, it transforms the soup into a dreamy, creamy indulgence (or use 1/2–3/4 cup milk/cream for a lighter soup).
• Sugar (1 tsp): Just a little balances the acidity of the tomatoes and lets the other flavors shine.
• Basil (1–2 TBSP, dried or fresh): Earthy, aromatic, and essential for that Italian-inspired depth—plus, a sprinkle to garnish.
• Salt & Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Keep tasting as you go—start with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper, then adjust to your preference!

Variations

One of my favorite things about Creamy Tomato Soup? It’s the definition of “make it your own.” Whether you need to use what’s in the fridge, skip the dairy, or spice it up, you have endless room to play—so the soup suits you perfectly every time.

• Dairy-Free Swap: Sub in coconut milk or your favorite non-dairy cream cheese for a vegan soup that’s still delicious and silky-smooth.
• Add Some Heat: Stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, or a dash of hot sauce for a gentle spicy kick.
• Herb It Up: Try oregano, thyme, or rosemary in place of (or along with) basil to put a fresh twist on the flavor profile.
• More Protein: Toss in a handful of cooked white beans or stir in shredded rotisserie chicken for a heartier lunch.

How to Make Creamy Tomato Soup

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics

Start by heating the olive oil (or grape seed oil) in a large pot over medium heat. Toss in your chopped onions, celery, and baby carrots, and sauté until the onions turn soft and translucent—about 5-7 minutes. Stir often; you want the veggies to soften without too much browning, as the gentle sweetness forms the backbone of our Creamy Tomato Soup.

Step 2: Add Garlic & Season

Once the veggies are soft, stir in the minced garlic and sauté for just about a minute—this is where the kitchen starts to smell amazing! Sprinkle in salt and freshly ground black pepper to season everything right from the start.

Step 3: Combine Tomatoes, Broth, and Cream Cheese

Next, pour in your fire-roasted tomatoes, tomato sauce, vegetable broth, and add the cream cheese. Give things a gentle stir to help the cream cheese melt. Let this mixture simmer, uncovered, for about 25 minutes—just until the flavors blend beautifully and the veggies are melt-in-your-mouth tender. This simmer is when the Creamy Tomato Soup becomes deeply flavorful and dreamy.

Step 4: Adjust Seasonings & Add Basil

Taste your soup—does it need a pinch more salt or a sprinkle of pepper? Add the teaspoon of sugar to balance the acidity if you’d like. Stir in 1–2 tablespoons of basil, starting with the smaller amount and tasting as you go. Fresh basil at the end gives the soup a burst of color and brightness!

Step 5: Blend Until Silky Smooth

Time for the transformation! Use an immersion blender right in the pot (carefully!) to puree the soup to ultra-creamy, bisque-like perfection. If you don’t have one, blend the soup in batches in your blender—just be sure to vent the lid and avoid overfilling so you don’t have a tomato explosion. The result: a Creamy Tomato Soup with the silkiest texture ever.

Step 6: Serve & Enjoy

Ladle the soup into bowls, top with more fresh basil, and (if you’re feeling fancy) float some oozy mozzarella balls on top. Serve piping hot—with the promise of cozy, tomatoey goodness in every bite!

How to Serve Creamy Tomato Soup

Garnishes

Let your bowl shine! Sprinkle each serving with a generous dusting of freshly chopped basil, crack a bit of black pepper on top, and (for a truly indulgent moment) drop in a few mozzarella balls or a drizzle of cream. A swirl of pesto or a scattering of croutons also makes this Creamy Tomato Soup impossibly inviting.

Side Dishes

This soup practically begs for a crunchy grilled cheese on the side—classic, but always perfect—or thick slices of crusty bread for dipping and scooping. For something lighter, serve alongside a crisp green salad tossed in a punchy vinaigrette to balance the soup’s richness.

Creative Ways to Present

Entertain your eyes as well as your taste buds! Serve Creamy Tomato Soup in dainty mugs for a party appetizer, or pour into shallow bowls and artfully swirl together a spoonful of cream and a sprinkle of fresh chopped herbs. For a fun family dinner, top with mini grilled cheese bites and let everyone dunk away.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Cool any remaining soup to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container. It’ll happily keep in the fridge for up to 4 days—making lunch or dinner a breeze all week long.

Freezing

Creamy Tomato Soup freezes beautifully! Ladle cooled soup into freezer-safe bags or containers, leaving an inch for expansion. It stays fresh for up to 3 months; just thaw overnight in the fridge before gently reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, pour soup into a saucepan over medium heat and stir occasionally until piping hot. If it thickens in the fridge, whisk in a splash of broth or milk to return it to silky glory—easy and delicious, every single time.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving a bowl of nostalgia with a grown-up, luxurious spin, this Creamy Tomato Soup is it. I hope it brings as much warmth and happiness to your table as it has to mine—give it a try and let the comfort begin!

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