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Homemade Tomato Soup is a classic soup recipe made with fresh ripe tomatoes and fresh herbs blended with a hint of cream. 

The tomatoes are roasted with a hint of garlic to bring out the natural flavor and then blended to a creamy finish. Velvety rich, jam-packed with flavor, and easy to make!!

Overhead picture of tomato soup in pot

Homemade is Best

The best tomato soup recipe is simple and made with fresh ingredients just like this recipe.

This easy soup can be prepared in under an hour making it the perfect weeknight meal!

TOMATOES FOR SOUP
Any kind of tomatoes will work but of course use the ripest, reddest ones you can find as they’ll have the best (and sweetest) flavor. In a pinch you can use canned tomatoes, they won’t have the same flavor as roasted tomatoes but are still great. Use a portion of canned fire-roasted tomatoes for extra flavor.

The tomatoes are roasted along with a bit of red bell pepper. The red pepper adds a bit of sweetness to balance out the acidity of the tomatoes. Cooked carrots will also work (I add shredded carrots to marinara for sweetness too).

How Many Tomatoes in a Pound

Of course, this varies based on the variety of tomato but to give you a general idea here are the approximates. This recipe is forgiving so it is ok if there’s a little bit more or less.

1 lb of tomatoes is approximately (remember you need 3lbs for this recipe):

  • 2 large tomatoes
  • 3 medium tomatoes
  • 4 Roma tomatoes
  • 2 1/2 cups chopped tomatoes
  • 20 cherry tomatoes

Tomatoes and garlic on a baking pan

How to Make Tomato Soup

  1. Place tomatoes and peppers on a pan with olive oil and seasonings. Roast until you see a bit of char.
  2. Bring broth to a boil and add roasted tomatoes.
  3. Blend using a hand blender until smooth & creamy.

Top with parmesan cheese or a drizzle of heavy cream if you prefer.

If Your Tomatoes Are Too Tart

This recipe calls for heavy cream which is optional.  I don’t generally add the cream, however, sometimes tomatoes can be very tart (depending on the variety) so the addition of extra cream can help smooth out the flavor.

Other additions for a tart soup include a shredded carrot cooked with the mixture, pinch of sugar, a couple of pats of butter or some coconut milk (make sure it’s unsweetened).

Fresh Tomato Soup in a white bowl

We often eat tomato soup with a classic Grilled Cheese Sandwich for dipping or topped with croutons and parmesan cheese!

What to Eat with Tomato Soup:

A classic grilled cheese (or Grilled Cheese Roll-Ups) and tomato soup is definitely a favorite!

More Fresh Tomato Recipes

Did you enjoy this Fresh Tomato Soup? Leave a rating and a comment below!

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Fresh Tomato Soup in a white bowl
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Homemade Tomato Soup (Fresh Tomatoes)

Roasted garden fresh tomatoes and fresh herbs create the perfect simple tomato soup.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 6 servings
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Ingredients  

  • 3 pounds ripe tomatoes
  • 4 cloves garlic peeled
  • ½ onion diced
  • ½ red bell pepper diced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • salt and black pepper to taste
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons fresh herbs such as basil, parsley, oregano
  • ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese for garnish, optional
  • ½ cup heavy whipping cream optional
  • thinly sliced fresh basil leaves for garnish, optional

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 450°F.
  • Wash the tomatoes, or peel them if desired (see notes). Cut smaller apricot sized tomatoes in half and cut larger tomatoes into quarters or eighths.
  • Place tomatoes, garlic, onion, bell pepper, olive oil, salt, pepper and dried herbs on a large rimmed baking sheet.
  • Roast 25 minutes, stirring after 15 minutes. Turn oven to broil and broil 3-4 minutes or until some of the tomatoes get a little bit of char color on them.
  • Bring chicken broth to a boil, add tomatoes, and fresh herbs. Using a blender or hand blender to blend the mixture until smooth and creamy. Add heavy cream if using.
  • Top with parmesan cheese, croutons or a drizzle of heavy cream.

Video

Notes

A note on peeling tomatoes: I personally do not peel the tomatoes and usually blend using a quality hand blender or high powered blender. If using a regular blender, you can peel the tomatoes if desired or strain the soup through cheesecloth if you'd like.
To peel tomatoes, bring a large pot of water to a boil and prepare a large bowl of ice water. Cut a small "X" into the bottom of each tomato and place in the boiling water for 30 seconds and then transfer to the ice water to cool. The skins will easily peel.
I generally add some cream if the tomatoes are extra tart, most often nice ripe tomatoes won't require the cream.  Taste the soup once blended and decide if you'd like to add the cream.  Stir in a little at a time.
Nutrition information does not include cream or toppings.
4.95 from 708 votes

Nutrition Information

Calories: 137 | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 366mg | Potassium: 678mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 2230IU | Vitamin C: 50.9mg | Calcium: 100mg | Iron: 1.5mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Soup
Cuisine American
Fresh Tomato Soup in a bowl with croutons and a title
Fresh Tomato Soup in a pot with writing
Fresh Tomato Soup in a white bowl with writing
Fresh Tomato Soup in a bowl and in a pot with writing

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About the author

Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. With a passion for nostalgic flavors and simplified techniques, Holly helps busy home cooks create delicious meals that always work. She is also the author of “Everyday Comfort,” which promises to inspire even more hearty, home-cooked meals.
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Comments

  1. Really good soup, but like others, I changed it a tiny bit to accommodate what I needed to use. Threw in some jalapenos and a little milk, didn’t want to wait thaw to use my frozen homemade bone broth, so used an entire carton of chicken broth with a pound more tomatoes. Turned out great with just whole milk added instead of cream. Thank you for sharing such a good recipe!5 stars

  2. I’m not a fan of Tomato soup – this recipe was really good. To give it a kick it needed dried pepper flakes or some
    Chilies but then I’m a spicy gal.5 stars

  3. Soups are risky for packing as lunches so I just used your instructions to roast and we are serving the roast tomato mix chunky and unblended over pasta 5 stars

  4. This is a family favorite for a good long time now. I decided I should leave a review. This soup is wonderful. Full of great flavors. It’s so filling. I especially love it at the end of summer with the fresh garden tomatoes. But it’s always good.5 stars

  5. I have made this multiple times. After blending the soup I add about 1 TBL of basil paste. I also add more red pepper than the recipe calls for because I love the flavor it gives. This soup freezes really well.5 stars

  6. I made this tonight as written and it is DELICIOUS! This is a soup with rich, deep flavor. After removing the pan from the oven, I put everything in my blender, so velvety. The hubby loved it. This will be our go-to tomato soup.5 stars

  7. Delicious! I forgot to add the parmesan, but it didn’t need it. I used Roma tomatoes, and fresh thyme and basil. Even the fact that I disturbed a rather large spider who was minding its own business, chilling in its web when I bumbled through it on my way to collect basil, didn’t detract from the delectable taste of this soup.5 stars

  8. So easy and delicious. I used sweet angel variety of tomatoes. Honestly best tomato soup I have ever had!5 stars

  9. Thank you so much for posting this recipe. It was the best tomato soup I’ve ever had. I have a feeling it could be gazpacho soup too, with a little hint of line. I only had 4 tomatoes which amounted to about a pound so I just eyeballed the rest of the ingredients. Yummy, creamy, delicious!5 stars