20 Minute Creamy Tomato Soup {VIDEO} - The Recipe Rebel (2024)

The Recipe Rebel / Dinner

written by Ashley Fehr

4.97 from 105 votes

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings 6 servings

Jump to Recipe

Last updated on February 5, 2024

This Creamy Tomato Soup is made in 20 minutes with canned tomatoes, but no one would ever know! It’s flavored with basil, garlic and Parmesan and perfect for dunking your grilled cheese!

Looking for more easy soup recipes? Try my Easy Taco Soup recipe, my Crockpot Chicken Taco Soup or my Ramen Noodle Soup!

20 Minute Creamy Tomato Soup {VIDEO} - The Recipe Rebel (2)

Table of Contents

  • How to make easy Creamy Tomato Soup:
  • Variations on this Creamy Tomato Soup:
  • Got leftover Tomato Soup?
  • 20 Minute Creamy Tomato Soup from Scratch Recipe

There is just not a better comfort food combo than creamy tomato soup and a crispy, melty grilled cheese sandwich.

This Creamy Tomato Soup has been on repeat here, because it’s easy and quick enough to whip up for any meal, even with the kids running circles around you!

It’s so quick, and so delicious, that you’ll never have to settle for the can again!

What I love about this tomato soup recipe is that it can be made with canned tomatoes for the majority of the year when we don’t have fresh garden tomatoes. Made with canned tomatoes, it’s an easy and inexpensive meal that tastes just as amazing year round.

(P.S. This Tomato Tortellini Soup is another one using canned tomatoes!)

But if you’ve got a bucket of fresh tomatoes from the garden?

Even better! Throw those in for a quick summer meal.

I confess, I’m one of those people who enjoys soup year round, and some of our other favorites (if you’re one of those people, too!) are thisSausage Tortellini Soup,Chicken Gnocchi Soup, and thisCrockpot Potato Soup.

20 Minute Creamy Tomato Soup {VIDEO} - The Recipe Rebel (3)

Give me some crusty bread or a great dinner bun and I’ll enjoy soup for every meal of every day!

How to make easy Creamy Tomato Soup:

  1. We make our roux first, instead of at the end and this saves us a pot making this a ONE pot soup (yay!). First we melt the butter, add the garlic to make it fragrant, then stir in some flour. This will thicken our soup and make it incredibly creamy.
  2. Stir in the rest of our seasonings, then whisk in the milk until smooth. Let this simmer until thickened, whisking often so it doesn’t clump!
  3. Stir in all of that tomato goodness, and give it a good stir to incorporate.
  4. Puree with an immersion blender, in a blender meant for hot foods (not all are, so be careful!), or in a food processor. This is optional, but really makes it smooth and creamy so I recommend it!

Variations on this Creamy Tomato Soup:

  • Feel free to adjust the spices and herbs to your tastes or what you have on hand — add some heat if you like, or experiment a little!
  • If you don’t have fresh milk, you can easily substitute for evaporated milk or cream. If you need to make this recipe dairy free, you can substitute for non dairy milk though it will change the flavor, or you can use chicken or vegetable broth as well. It will still be creamy and delicious!
  • Feel free to add in other veggies, before or after pureeing! Some cooked carrots puree really easily in tomato soup and go mostly unnoticed.
  • Some pasta, rice or other cooked grains can make this soup a little heartier (though you know I’m serving mine with grilled cheese so I opt for plain and simple 😉 )
  • If you need to make this recipe gluten free, you can skip the roux and opt to thicken the milk with a couple tablespoons of corn starch before adding the tomatoes.
20 Minute Creamy Tomato Soup {VIDEO} - The Recipe Rebel (4)

Got leftover Tomato Soup?

Pasta: This creamy Tomato Soup also makes a great pasta sauce! You can make a double batch, and save some for serving over pasta for an easy dinner another night.

Pizza: This Tomato Soup is thick and creamy enough to be used as a pizza sauce as well!

Reinvent it: serve leftovers with cooked pasta and vegetables for a new twist on tomato soup — bonus points if what you add to the soup is also leftover from another meal!

*This post has been updated since its original posting in April 2014.

20 Minute Creamy Tomato Soup {VIDEO} - The Recipe Rebel (5)

Pin this recipe to save for later

Pin this recipe to your favorite board

20 Minute Creamy Tomato Soup from Scratch

written by Ashley Fehr

4.97 from 105 votes

This Creamy Tomato Soup is made in 20 minutes with canned tomatoes, but no one would ever know! It's flavored with basil, garlic and Parmesan and perfect for dunking your grilled cheese!

20 Minute Creamy Tomato Soup {VIDEO} - The Recipe Rebel (7)

Save

Review

Print

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Cuisine American

Course Soup

Servings 6 servings

Calories 226cal

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 3 tbsp fresh basil (or 1/2-1 teaspoon dried)
  • 1-2 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp basil pesto optional and to taste
  • 2 1/2 cups milk
  • 798 ml can of diced tomatoes with Italian herbs (28 oz) or sub crushed or fresh, chopped
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste (about half 156ml can)
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan optional

Instructions

  • In a large pot, melt butter. Add garlic and cook 1 minute. Add flour and whisk to combine.

  • Add basil, sugar, salt and pesto. Cook and stir 1 minute.

  • Add milk and whisk until combined. Cook and whisk on medium heat until thickened, stirring often.

  • Add tomatoes, tomato paste, and Parmesan if using, and stir until combined.

  • Puree with an immersion blender if desired and serve.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 226cal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 711mg | Potassium: 476mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 820IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 255mg | Iron: 2mg

Want to save this recipe?

Create an account easily save your favorite content, so you never forget a recipe again.

Register Now

Tried this recipe?

Tag @thereciperebel or hashtag #thereciperebel —
I love to see what you’re making!

Tag @thereciperebel
20 Minute Creamy Tomato Soup {VIDEO} - The Recipe Rebel (8)

Meet Ashley

My name is Ashley Fehr and I love creating easy meals my family loves. I also like to do things my way, which means improvising and breaking the rules when necessary. Here you will find creative twists on old favorites and some of my favorite family recipes, passed down from generations!

Read More

You May Also Like

Dinner

Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Side Dishes

Air Fryer Baked Potato

Dinner

Cheese Cannelloni recipe

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. ALuna says

    Love this soup, you made my day!!!
    This soup was so delicious… I will never eat canned again (i cant anyhow as they have flour in them)… the only changes I made were … I didn’t have pesto to add; My canned tomatoes had no Italian seasoning so I added some dry to can before adding; I didn’t have fresh Basil – used dry; and I used Gluten Free flour (Pillsbury GF all purp)… Oh also I didn’t have garlic so I used garlic powder. Will certainly make again!!! And again!!!

    Reply

  2. Cat says

    Amazing soup, better then any shop bought tinned soup and the best tomato soup recipe i have found.
    I didnt get 6 portions out of it tho

    Reply

  3. Holly says

    I was craving tomato soup and grilled cheese today, so I whipped this soup up for lunch and it turned out great! Thanks for the quick and easy recipe, we really enjoyed it!

    Reply

    • The Recipe Rebel says

      Yay! Thank you Holly!

      Reply

  4. Diane says

    Delicious and easy.

    Reply

    • The Recipe Rebel says

      Thanks Diane!

      Reply

  5. Jessica Carter says

    When you use leftover soup for pasta do you use a particular type of pasta? Do you just make the pasta as normal and then pour the leftover soup on top as sauce?

    Reply

    • The Recipe Rebel says

      Hi Jessica, yes you’ll just use this as if it is a pasta sauce. So you can use any pasta that you’d like. Enjoy!

      Reply

    • The Recipe Rebel says

      Great to hear! Thank you Heather!

      Reply

  6. Tracy says

    This is a game changer soup for a busy family. I love it’s simple ingredients and the delicious flavour. My only complaint is not doubling up the recipe for extras for lunches. Thanks so much

    Reply

    • The Recipe Rebel says

      Glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  7. Brenda says

    Just wondering what keeps it fro curdling? I have always thought you had to add baking soda to homemade tomato soup but it gets so foamy and I don’t care much for that .

    Reply

    • The Recipe Rebel says

      Hi Brenda, I’ve never had a problem with it curdling, so not sure.

      Reply

  8. Leslie says

    This has definitely changed the way I feel about tomato soup! It’s easy to put together during our busy seasons and I very much appreciate the easy ingredients, thank you!

    Reply

    • The Recipe Rebel says

      Thank you so much for your kind review Leslie!

      Reply

  9. Stephanie Lighter says

    Didn’t have canned tomatoes so use tomato sauce! Worked great!

    Reply

    • The Recipe Rebel says

      Hi Stephanie! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!

      Reply

      • Stephanie Lighter says

        Love to have more recipes!

  10. Gianna says

    This is the fastest and best tomato soup I’ve had and with the grilled cheese it was just so good!!! ♥️♥️♥️

    Reply

    • The Recipe Rebel says

      Hi Gianna! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!

      Reply

    • Leslie says

      This has definitely changed the way I feel about tomato soup! It’s easy to put together during our busy seasons and I very much appreciate the easy ingredients, thank you!

      Reply

      • The Recipe Rebel says

        So happy to hear Leslie!

  11. Annie says

    I just made this and it is definitely creamy and yummy. I used crushed tomatoes so I opted not to use my immersion blender.

    Now I’m wondering if I can freeze small portions of this for my kids’ lunches, what do you think?

    Reply

    • The Recipe Rebel says

      Hi Annie! It should work! So glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  12. Carla says

    This recipe was so easy to make and sooo good. I’ve been looking for a tomato soup I can whip up in a pinch, and this is it. My whole family loved the creaminess of the soup, and asked for a 2nd batch to be made. I used dry basil and left out the pesto, and it still had very fresh flavor without having to go through the trouble of roasting tomatoes.

    Reply

    • The Recipe Rebel says

      Hi Carla! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!

      Reply

  13. Breanne says

    This is officially a staple in my home! I’ve been trying to find Campbell’s replacements and this is similar in flavor but considerably better and also healthier! Highly recommend!

    Reply

    • The Recipe Rebel says

      Hi Breanne! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!

      Reply

  14. Nikki says

    This was the first time I tried this recipe and I gotta say, I’m disappointed. It was very bland and had a strange aftertaste. It’s entirely possible that I made a error but I don’t think I will use this recipe again.

    Reply

    • The Recipe Rebel says

      I’m sorry to hear you had trouble with the recipe Nikki. The amounts and ingredients have worked well for myself (and others) have enjoyed it, so I wished it would of been a hit for you too.

      Reply

    • Annie says

      Did you use low sodium tomatoes? Sometimes it can give a weird aftertaste if you did. I used half a can low sodium and half regular and it turned out tasty and creamy

      Reply

      • The Recipe Rebel says

        Thanks for the tip Annie!

  15. Ashley says

    THE BEST and easiest tomato soup! I was very Impressed with how good this was especially for how simple it was to make!

    Reply

    • The Recipe Rebel says

      Hi Ashley! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!

      Reply

« Older Comments

Leave A Reply

20 Minute Creamy Tomato Soup {VIDEO} - The Recipe Rebel (2024)

FAQs

Is tomato soup better with milk or water? ›

When Made With Milk, Tomato Soup Should Be Rich And Creamy. Not all soups are created equal. A soup made with milk is usually richer and more luxurious than one made with just water or stock. This addition helps make the soup feel more comforting.

What can I add to canned tomato soup to make it better? ›

10 Simple Ingredients to Add to Tomato Soup
  1. 1) Fresh Rosemary. Kicking off the list is the simplest way to jazz up your tomato soup – fresh herbs. ...
  2. 2) Sauteed Onions. ...
  3. 3) Crispy Bacon. ...
  4. 4) Cream. ...
  5. 5) Chutney. ...
  6. 6) Melted Cheese. ...
  7. 7) Tinned Anchovies. ...
  8. 8) Toasted Pine Nuts.
Mar 21, 2022

Why did my cream curdle in my tomato soup? ›

Tomatoes are very acidic and milk or cream is added to them, curdling can occur. Curdling will be more likely to happen when the ratio of acid to cream increases or when mixing a cold and hot mixture. To thwart the curdling tendency, changing procedures will render a smooth tomato soup.

How do you thicken tomato soup without heavy cream? ›

Use Flour or Cornstarch

Slowly whisk the slurry into your soup and let it simmer for a few minutes. This will help thicken the soup and give it a slightly thicker texture.

What happens when milk is added to hot tomato soup? ›

When milk is added to tomato soup, a process called curdling occurs. This is because the acid present in the tomatoes causes the proteins in the milk to denature. Denaturation changes the structure of the proteins, causing them to clump together and form curds.

What's the difference between creamy tomato soup and tomato soup? ›

But what about cream of tomato soup? Any “cream of” soup, tomato included, is pureed like a normal soup but then goes through a “creaming” process, wherein cream is added to the mixture. Cream of tomato soup is actually cooked at a much lower temperature than normal tomato soup.

Why do you put baking soda in tomato soup? ›

- Adding baking soda to tomato soup and tomato sauces helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes. Tomato flavors really shine, and your sauce or soup will not curdle if you add milk. - Adding ¼ teaspoon of baking soda to 1 cup of tomato sauce or soup will make flavors sparkle and become less acidic.

Is it healthy to eat tomato soup everyday? ›

Rich in antioxidants

Tomato soup is an excellent source of antioxidants, including lycopene, flavonoids, and vitamins C and E, among many others ( 3 , 7 ). Consuming antioxidants has been linked with a lower risk of cancer and inflammation-related diseases, such as obesity and heart disease ( 3 , 8 , 9 ).

What makes tomato soup thicker? ›

You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute. For the best results, never add flour or cornstarch directly to your soup. If you do, it will clump up on top. Instead, ladle a small amount of broth into a separate bowl and let it cool.

How do you make tomato soup taste less like tomatoes? ›

Carrot purée adds an earthy sweetness to balance the acidic tomatoes, and creates a creamy consistency without the need for much cream. A small pinch of baking soda will tame any unwanted acidity in the soup.

Which canned tomatoes are best for soup? ›

Crushed tomatoes walk the line between smooth purees and chunkier diced tomatoes. We use them in quick-cooking sauces and soups where their sweet, bright flavor can shine. Our highest-ranking crushed tomatoes were chunky, with relatively few pieces of unpleasant, plasticky skin left in.

How do you add cream to tomato soup without curdling? ›

Baking soda allows you to use milk in your tomato soup recipe without it curdling. If you don't use baking soda, you'll need to use a higher-fat dairy to avoid it separating with the heat and acidic tomatoes.

What does bisque soup mean? ›

What does bisque mean? A bisque is a smooth, creamy French style of soup, traditionally made from crustaceans like lobster, crab or crayfish.

Can I still eat my soup if the milk curdled? ›

Many sauce and soup recipes need to be reduced and thickened, which means gently simmering to achieve the desired consistency. With sauces and soups that contain milk, boiling or simmering can cause the milk to curdle. While curdled milk is safe to eat, it is not particularly appetizing.

What to put in tomato soup to make it taste better? ›

Garlic and onions make everything tastier! While the soup is cooking on the stove, sautee onions and garlic, adding them into the soup towards the end of cooking. Or for an aromatic that'll give a refreshing flavor, add chopped ginger into the soup while it's still cooking, stirring it in to blend the flavors together.

What can I substitute for heavy cream in tomato soup? ›

Half-and-half and butter plus butter

You can also use half-and-half to replace heavy cream without adding butter in certain recipes, such as sauces and soups. To substitute for 1 cup (237 mL) of heavy cream, mix 7/8 cup (232 grams) of half-and-half with 1/8 cup (29 grams) of melted butter.

Do potatoes thicken soup? ›

Potatoes, in general, are a great way to create a thick soup, like this creamy chicken potato soup, but because they need time to cook before they can thicken, they aren't a great option to thicken a soup that is otherwise ready to eat.

Is it better to make tomato soup with milk or water? ›

When made with milk, tomato soup should be rich and creamy. Not all soups are created equal. A soup made with milk is usually richer and more luxurious than one made with just water or stock. This addition helps make the soup feel more comforting.

How much milk to add to Campbell's tomato soup? ›

Preparation Instructions. SLOWLY MIX SOUP + 1/2 CAN WATER + 1/2 CAN MILK WITH WHISK. STOVE: Heat, stirring occasionally. FOR RICHER SOUP PREPARE WITH 1 CAN MILK.

What happens when you add evaporated milk to soup? ›

Evaporated milk gives body to smoothies, thickens up and sweetens coffee, and adds nuance and richness to creamy soups and chowders, not to mention savory sauces and even oatmeal.

Is Campbell's tomato bisque the same as tomato soup? ›

Campbell's® Condensed Tomato Bisque is a delicious, indulgent twist on our classic tomato soup crafted with cream and tasty tomato pieces.

How long can creamy tomato soup last in the fridge? ›

Once opened, the soup should be consumed within 3-5 days if refrigerated. If you've made the soup from scratch, it's safe to consume within 5-7 days when refrigerated. You can also freeze the homemade soup, in this case, it would last for 4-6 months. How do you tell if tomato soup is bad?

Do tomato soup and tomato bisque taste the same? ›

While both are delicious, they are quite different, especially when it comes to the texture. Tomato bisque is thicker and creamier in texture, and calls for the use of milk and/or cream.

How to add milk to tomato soup without curdling? ›

Stabilize with a Starch

Starches like flour or cornstarch help stabilize the milk emulsion. This will prevent it from separating. A common technique is to thicken your sauce or soup with roux before adding the milk. This changes the makeup of the liquid and prevents curdling.

Is it good to add milk to soup? ›

Yes, you can definitely add cream to your soup. Whether you use a few tablespoons or a few cups, cream gives soup a silky mouthfeel and rich flavor. You can definitely add milk or other dairy as well, though it will taste gradually less creamy as you go down in percent.

Does milk thicken or thin soup? ›

Dairy is used to create a creamy, silky, decadent texture in soup. But it's also used as a thickening agent. So the right substitution will depend on your ultimate goal – creamy versus thickening.

Does milk neutralize acid in tomato soup? ›

Yes, adding dairy products like cream, whole milk, or even a splash of heavy cream can help reduce the acidity in tomato soup. The creaminess of dairy can help mellow out the tartness of tomatoes and create a smoother, well-balanced flavor.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Merrill Bechtelar CPA

Last Updated:

Views: 5950

Rating: 5 / 5 (50 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Merrill Bechtelar CPA

Birthday: 1996-05-19

Address: Apt. 114 873 White Lodge, Libbyfurt, CA 93006

Phone: +5983010455207

Job: Legacy Representative

Hobby: Blacksmithing, Urban exploration, Sudoku, Slacklining, Creative writing, Community, Letterboxing

Introduction: My name is Merrill Bechtelar CPA, I am a clean, agreeable, glorious, magnificent, witty, enchanting, comfortable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.