There's nothing quite like a bowl of classic tomato soup to warm your soul. This recipe is simple yet flavorful, combining fresh tomatoes with aromatic onions and garlic. Perfect for a cozy night in or as a starter for a larger meal, this soup is sure to become a household favorite.
Most of the ingredients in this recipe are common pantry staples, but fresh basil leaves might not be something you have on hand. Make sure to pick up a bunch from the produce section of your supermarket. Additionally, ensure you have vegetable broth available, as it forms the base of this delicious soup.
Ingredients for Classic Tomato Soup Recipe
Olive oil: Used for sautéing the onion and garlic, adding a rich flavor base.
Onion: Provides a sweet and savory depth to the soup.
Garlic: Adds a pungent, aromatic flavor that complements the tomatoes.
Tomatoes: The star of the dish, providing a fresh and tangy base.
Vegetable broth: Adds a savory liquid base, enhancing the overall flavor.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors in the soup.
Sugar: Balances the acidity of the tomatoes.
Black pepper: Adds a mild heat and depth of flavor.
Basil leaves: Fresh and aromatic, they add a burst of flavor at the end.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When sautéing the onion and garlic, ensure they are cooked until they are translucent and fragrant, but not browned. This will help develop a sweeter, more mellow flavor base for the soup. Additionally, when blending the soup, you can use an immersion blender directly in the pot for convenience, or transfer it in batches to a countertop blender. Always be cautious with hot liquids to avoid splatters and burns.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a similar fat content and a mild flavor that works well in soups.
onion - Substitute with leek: Leeks provide a slightly sweeter and more delicate flavor, which can enhance the soup's taste.
garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder garlic flavor and add a hint of sweetness to the soup.
tomatoes - Substitute with canned tomatoes: Canned tomatoes are convenient and provide a consistent flavor and texture, especially when fresh tomatoes are not in season.
vegetable broth - Substitute with mushroom broth: Mushroom broth adds a rich, umami flavor that can deepen the taste of the soup.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty and umami flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the soup.
sugar - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup provides a natural sweetness and a subtle depth of flavor.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a milder heat and a slightly different flavor profile that can add a unique twist to the soup.
basil leaves - Substitute with oregano leaves: Oregano offers a robust and earthy flavor that complements the tomato base well.
Alternative Recipes Similar to This Soup
How to Store or Freeze Your Tomato Soup
Allow the tomato soup to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can lead to a watery soup.
Transfer the cooled soup into airtight containers. For easy portioning, consider using individual-sized containers.
Label the containers with the date of preparation. This ensures you keep track of freshness and consume the soup within a safe timeframe.
Store the containers in the refrigerator if you plan to consume the soup within 3-4 days. The flavors will meld together beautifully, making the soup even more delicious.
For longer storage, place the airtight containers in the freezer. The soup can be frozen for up to 3 months without losing its rich flavor and creamy texture.
When ready to enjoy, thaw the frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing helps maintain the soup's consistency.
Reheat the soup on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating. If the soup appears too thick, add a splash of vegetable broth or water to reach the desired consistency.
Alternatively, you can reheat the soup in the microwave. Use a microwave-safe container, cover loosely, and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until the soup is hot.
Garnish with fresh basil leaves or a drizzle of olive oil before serving to enhance the presentation and flavor.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Stovetop method: Pour the leftover soup into a saucepan. Heat over medium-low, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating. Once the soup is hot and steaming, it's ready to serve.
Microwave method: Transfer the soup to a microwave-safe bowl. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or a microwave-safe plate to prevent splatters. Heat on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. Continue heating in 30-second intervals until the soup is hot throughout.
Double boiler method: Fill a pot with water and bring it to a simmer. Place a heatproof bowl with the soup over the simmering water, ensuring the bottom of the bowl doesn't touch the water. Stir occasionally until the soup is heated through.
Slow cooker method: Pour the leftover soup into a slow cooker. Set it to low and heat for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally. This method is perfect if you want to keep the soup warm for an extended period.
Oven method: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Pour the soup into an oven-safe dish and cover with aluminum foil. Heat for about 20-30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the soup is hot.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Pot: A large vessel used for cooking the soup ingredients together.
Olive oil: Used for sautéing the onions and garlic to bring out their flavors.
Chopping board: A flat surface used for chopping the onions, garlic, and tomatoes.
Knife: A sharp tool used for chopping the vegetables.
Wooden spoon: Used for stirring the ingredients while they cook.
Blender: An appliance used to blend the soup until smooth.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure out the olive oil, salt, sugar, and black pepper.
Measuring cup: Used to measure the vegetable broth.
Ladle: Used for serving the soup into bowls.
Bowls: Used for serving the finished soup.
How to Save Time on Making This Soup
Prep ingredients in advance: Chop the onion, garlic, and tomatoes ahead of time and store them in the fridge.
Use canned tomatoes: Substitute fresh tomatoes with high-quality canned ones to save chopping time.
Immersion blender: Use an immersion blender directly in the pot to blend the soup, avoiding extra dishes.
Pre-made broth: Use store-bought vegetable broth to cut down on preparation time.
Batch cooking: Make a larger batch and freeze portions for quick meals later.
Classic Tomato Soup Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups tomatoes, chopped
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup basil leaves, chopped
Instructions
- 1. Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat.
- 2. Add chopped onion and garlic, sauté until soft.
- 3. Add chopped tomatoes and cook for 10 minutes.
- 4. Pour in vegetable broth, add salt, sugar, and black pepper. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 20 minutes.
- 5. Blend the soup until smooth. Return to pot and reheat if necessary.
- 6. Stir in chopped basil leaves before serving.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
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