Simple Homemade Tomato Soup Recipe

The Best Smells in the Kitchen

There is nothing like the smell of onions cooking. It means something good is coming. When you add the garlic, the smell gets even better. It makes my whole house feel warm and cozy.

I remember making this soup with my grandson. He said it smelled like a fancy restaurant. I still laugh at that. A simple pot of soup can make anyone feel like a chef.

A Little Secret for a Smooth Soup

That tablespoon of flour is our little secret. It helps thicken the soup just right. You have to stir it in well with the onions and garlic. This step matters because it gives the soup a nice body.

It keeps the soup from being too watery. You want every spoonful to feel rich and comforting. Fun fact: This trick with flour and fat is called a roux. It is the start of many wonderful sauces and soups.

Time for the Star of the Show

Now we add the chopped tomatoes and broth. I love the bright red color they bring to the pot. The kitchen starts to smell sweet and tangy. Does not that smell amazing?

Let it all bubble gently for about 15 minutes. This slow cooking matters. It lets all the flavors get to know each other and become one big happy family.

The Magic of Blending

My favorite part is blending it all up. I use a handheld blender right in the pot. Watch how the chunky soup turns silky smooth. It is like a little bit of kitchen magic.

Be very careful if you use a regular blender. Let the soup cool a little first. Hot soup can splash and burn you. What is your favorite kitchen tool to use?

Make It Your Own

Now for the fun part, the toppings. I love a sprinkle of fresh basil. My husband always asks for crumbled bacon on his. The toppings let everyone make the soup just how they like it.

This is why cooking at home matters. You are in charge. You can make it perfect for you and your family. What is your dream soup topping? I would love to know.

A Bowl Full of Sunshine

This soup always reminds me of summer. Even if I make it in the winter, it tastes like sunshine. It is a simple, honest food. It fills your belly and your heart.

Food does not have to be fancy to be good. Sometimes, the simplest recipes are the ones we love the most. Do you have a simple recipe that makes you happy?

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Oil or butter	2 tablespoons
Onion	1	diced
Garlic	4 cloves	minced
Dried Italian seasoning or fresh parsley	1 teaspoon or 1 tablespoon
All-purpose flour	1 tablespoon
Tomatoes	10 medium (about 2 pounds)	chopped
Chicken or vegetable broth	2 cups
Salt	1 teaspoon
Black pepper		Freshly ground, to taste
Toppings (e.g., fresh basil, crumbled bacon, herbs)		Optional

My Cozy Tomato Soup Story

I have made this soup for years. It always reminds me of my own grandma. She taught me how to cook in her sunny kitchen. We would use tomatoes straight from the garden. Their sweet smell filled the whole house. I still smile thinking about it.

This recipe is so simple and forgiving. You really cannot mess it up. Let’s get a pot and start cooking together. I will walk you through each step. We will make a wonderful, warm soup.

Step 1

Grab your big soup pot. Melt your butter or warm your oil in it. Toss in your diced onion. Let it cook until it looks soft and shiny. This takes about five minutes. Doesn’t that smell amazing already?

Step 2

Now add your garlic and herbs. I love using Italian seasoning. Stir it all around for just one minute. You want to smell the garlic, not burn it. (My hard-learned tip: burnt garlic tastes bitter. Be careful here!).

Step 3

Sprinkle the flour right over everything. Keep stirring for another minute or two. This little trick will make your soup nice and thick. It is like a secret ingredient for a creamy feel.

Step 4

Time for the stars of the show! Add your chopped tomatoes and broth. Throw in some salt and pepper too. Bring it all to a gentle bubble. Then let it simmer for fifteen minutes. What’s your favorite kind of tomato? Share below!

Step 5

This is the fun part. Carefully blend the soup until it is smooth. I use a stick blender right in the pot. It is so easy and less messy. My grandson loves to push the button for me. I still laugh at that.

Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Category: Soup

Three Fun Twists to Try

Once you master the basic recipe, you can play with it. I love adding little changes. It makes the soup feel new every time. Here are a few of my favorite ideas. They are all so simple and tasty.

Spicy Kick

Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic. It gives the soup a warm, tingly feeling.

Creamy Dream

Stir in a big spoonful of cream at the very end. It makes the soup extra rich and silky.

Roasty Flavor

Roast your tomatoes in the oven first. It makes them taste sweeter and deeper.

Which one would you try first? Comment below!

How to Serve Your Masterpiece

A good bowl of soup needs good friends. I always serve this with a grilled cheese sandwich. The crispy bread and melted cheese are perfect. A simple green salad on the side is lovely too. Do not forget the toppings!

A little fresh basil on top is my go-to. My husband loves his with crumbled bacon. For a drink, I enjoy a cool iced tea. It cuts through the richness so nicely. A glass of white wine is also a nice treat for the grown-ups.

Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Soup Cozy for Later

Let’s talk about storing your lovely soup. First, let it cool completely. I leave it on the counter for about an hour.

Then you can pop it in the fridge. It will be happy there for four days. For the freezer, use a sturdy container.

Leave some space at the top. The soup will expand as it freezes. I learned that the hard way once.

My first frozen soup made a little mess. Now I always leave that inch of space. Reheating is simple too.

Warm it gently on the stove. Stir it now and then. This keeps the flavor just right.

Making a big batch saves you time. It means a warm meal is always close by. That is a wonderful feeling.

Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Common Soup Troubles

Sometimes soup can be too thin. If yours is, let it simmer a bit longer. The extra heat cooks off water.

This makes the flavor richer too. I remember when my first soup was like water. I just let it bubble away.

It turned out perfect. Getting the seasoning right is also key. Always taste your soup at the end.

You can add more salt or pepper then. This matters because your taste buds are the boss. Another issue is a bitter taste.

This can come from the garlic burning. Just cook your garlic for one minute only. This small step makes a big difference.

It keeps the flavor sweet and gentle. Fixing little problems builds your cooking confidence. You learn that you can always make it better.

Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Tomato Soup Questions, Answered

Q: Can I make this gluten-free? A: Yes, just swap the flour for cornstarch. It works just as well.

Q: Can I make the soup ahead of time? A: Absolutely. It tastes even better the next day.

Q: What if I don’t have fresh tomatoes? A: A large can of crushed tomatoes will work fine.

Q: Can I double this recipe? A: Of course. Just use a bigger pot for all that goodness.

Q: Are the toppings important? A: They are optional but so fun. They make each bowl special. *A fun fact: Tomatoes are actually a fruit!

Which tip will you try first?

Until Next Time, My Friend

I hope you love this simple tomato soup. It is a hug in a bowl. Making it yourself is a small joy.

I would love to see your creation. Share a picture of your cozy meal. It makes me so happy to see your cooking.

Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest!

Happy cooking!

—Olivia Hartwell.