Tomato Soup Recipe

This homemade tomato soup recipe is rich, flavorful, and easy to make with basic ingredients. Just add a grilled cheese for a delicious, comforting meal!

Jeanine
Donofrio

Phoebe
Moore

Updated: Sep 8, 2026

This homemade tomato soup recipe is creamy, comforting, and flavorful. It’s made with simple ingredients like diced tomatoes, onions, garlic, and carrots, and it comes together in under an hour.

Easy and delicious, this soup is one of my favorite meals for a chilly night, and it just so happens to be fully kid-approved. Try it the next time you’re in the mood for something quick and cozy. Paired with a gooey grilled cheese sandwich, it’s guaranteed to hit the spot!

Tomato Soup Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this tomato soup recipe:

• Canned tomatoes – Diced tomatoes are my go-to for this soup because I like to blend some and leave the rest whole for texture. Whole peeled tomatoes work too, but you’ll need to crush them with your hands before using them.
• Olive oil and butter – They create the soup’s rich base. To make this recipe dairy-free, feel free to use additional olive oil instead of the butter.
• Onion and garlic – For savory depth of flavor.
• Carrots and balsamic vinegar – If you ask me, the secret to making the best tomato soup is adding something sweet to balance the acidic tomatoes. The carrots and balsamic vinegar do that in this recipe.
• Vegetable broth or water – I’ve had great results using both! I just find the soup needs an extra pinch of salt when I make it with water.
• Heavy cream – It perfects the soup’s creamy texture and adds rich flavor. To make this soup dairy-free, use full-fat coconut milk instead. I promise, you can’t taste it!
• Dried thyme – For warm, earthy flavor. Feel free to substitute fresh thyme if you have it on hand. I like to bundle 3 sprigs and simmer them in the soup, then remove the bundle before blending.
• Red pepper flakes – For heat.
• Fresh basil leaves – I love sprinkling a few leaves over my bowl for a fresh finishing touch.
• And salt and pepper – To make all the flavors pop!

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

How to Make Tomato Soup

This homemade tomato soup recipe is so simple to make! Here’s how it goes:

First, sauté the veggies. Heat the butter and olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt, and cook until the veggies soften, about 8 minutes.

Stir in the vinegar.

Next, add the remaining ingredients and simmer until the carrots are tender, 20 to 25 minutes.

Then, blend part of the soup to create its creamy texture. Scoop 4 cups of the soup out of the pot and set aside. Transfer the remaining soup to a blender, and blend until smooth. If you like, you could use an immersion blender for this step, though I prefer the smoother texture I get when I use my regular blender. Return the pureed soup to the pot, along with the 4 cups of chunky soup. Stir to combine.

Finally, season to taste and serve. That’s it!

What to Serve with Tomato Soup

This easy tomato soup recipe pairs perfectly with crusty bread or a grilled cheese sandwich for dipping. 

I also love it with toppings like these:

• Basil leaves – For fresh flavor.
• Homemade croutons – For crunchy contrast.
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese – For a salty, nutty pop.
• A drizzle of olive oil or heavy cream – For extra richness.

How do you like to serve tomato soup? Let me know in the comments!

More Favorite Soup Recipes

If you love this creamy tomato soup recipe, try one of these homemade soups next:

• Broccoli Cheddar Soup
• Butternut Squash Soup
• Minestrone Soup
• Tortellini Soup
• Or any of these 35 Best Soup Recipes!

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Homemade Tomato Soup Recipe

rate this recipe:

4.89 from 181 votes

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 30 minutes mins

Total Time: 45 minutes mins

Serves 6

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My best tomato soup recipe! Made with pantry staples, this easy homemade tomato soup is creamy, rich, and flavorful. Serve it with a grilled cheese sandwich for a delicious, comforting meal!

Ingredients

• ▢ 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• ▢ 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, or an additional 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ▢ 2 medium yellow onions, chopped
• ▢ 2 medium carrots, chopped
• ▢ 6 garlic cloves, chopped
• ▢ 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• ▢ 2 (28-ounce) cans diced tomatoes, and their juices
• ▢ 3 cups water or vegetable broth
• ▢ 1⅓ cups heavy cream, plus more for drizzling*
• ▢ 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• ▢ ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• ▢ 1 teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste
• ▢ Freshly ground black pepper
• ▢ Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

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Instructions

• Heat the olive oil and butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, garlic, and a pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, for 8 minutes, or until softened.
• Stir in the vinegar, then add the tomatoes, water, cream, thyme, red pepper flakes, salt, and several grinds of pepper. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the carrots are tender.
• Scoop 4 cups of the soup out of the pot and set aside. Transfer the remaining soup to a blender. Puree until smooth. Return the pureed soup to the pot with the reserved 4 cups of chunky soup. Stir to combine and season to taste.
• Ladle into bowls and serve with a drizzle of cream, a drizzle of olive oil, freshly ground black pepper, and fresh basil leaves for garnish.

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Nutrition Facts

Homemade Tomato Soup Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 288 Calories from Fat 252

% Daily Value*

Fat 28g43%

Saturated Fat 15g94%

Trans Fat 0.2g

Polyunsaturated Fat 2g

Monounsaturated Fat 9g

Cholesterol 70mg23%

Sodium 428mg19%

Potassium 193mg6%

Carbohydrates 9g3%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 5g6%

Protein 2g4%

Vitamin A 4348IU87%

Vitamin C 5mg6%

Calcium 66mg7%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.