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

Why Make This Recipe

Middle-of-Winter Creamy Tomato Soup is the perfect meal to warm you up on cold days. It’s comforting, creamy, and full of flavor.

Using canned tomatoes makes it easy and quick to prepare. This soup is also great for lunch or dinner and pairs nicely with a side of crusty bread.

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

Directions

1. Heat the olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat.
2. Once the oil is hot, add the onion and carrots. Season with 1 teaspoon kosher salt and ground black pepper. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften.
3. Stir in the garlic, tomato paste, and crushed red pepper flakes (if you like a little spice). Cook for another 1-2 minutes until the tomato paste browns and the garlic is fragrant.
4. Add the basil, thyme, crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, and wine to the pot. Stir to combine well. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Partially cover the pot and simmer for 15 minutes, until the vegetables are soft.
5. Carefully transfer the soup to a stand blender. Blend in batches, filling the blender no more than ⅔ full. Remove the center cap from the lid and cover the hole with a thick kitchen towel while blending. Once smooth and creamy, return the soup to the pot. You can also use an immersion blender to blend the soup directly in the pot.
6. Stir in the cream (or milk of your choice) and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. Adjust seasoning to taste.
7. Ladle the soup into bowls and top with cracked black pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, and fresh basil leaves as desired. 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, 8 grams of protein, and 20 grams of fat.

How To Serve Middle-of-Winter Creamy Tomato Soup

You can serve the soup hot in bowls. It’s great to pair with grilled cheese sandwiches or a slice of your favorite bread. Top it with fresh basil or a sprinkle of cheese for extra flavor.

How To Store Middle-of-Winter Creamy Tomato Soup

If you have leftovers, let the soup cool completely. Then, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it for up to 2 months. Just thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Tips To Make Middle-of-Winter Creamy Tomato Soup

• For a spicier soup, add more crushed red pepper flakes.
• You can adjust the thickness by using more or less cream.
• If you want a chunkier soup, blend only half of it and leave the other half as is.

Health And Benefits Of This Recipe

This soup is healthy and satisfying. The tomatoes are rich in vitamins like vitamin C and A, which are good for your immune system. The carrots add fiber and other important nutrients. Using olive oil instead of butter makes it a heart-healthy choice. Plus, if you use plant-based milk, it can be dairy-free.

Variation

You can add different vegetables like spinach or zucchini for extra nutrition. Adding some cooked pasta or rice can make it more filling.

FAQs

Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?
Yes, you can use fresh tomatoes, but it will take longer to cook and blend them down.

Can I make this soup vegan?
Yes, simply use plant milk instead of cream and skip the wine.

How do I thicken the soup?
If you want a thicker soup, add more tomato paste or blend a bit longer to get the desired consistency.