There’s nothing quite like a bowl of homemade roasted tomato soup to warm your soul. This recipe brings out the best in summer’s ripest tomatoes, transforming them into a comforting, velvety soup. With a few simple ingredients and easy steps, you’ll have a dish that’s perfect for a cozy night in or a fancy dinner party. Grab your spoon and get ready to savor every spoonful!
Steps
- Preheat your oven to 450°F. Cut the tomatoes into quarters or halves, depending on their size, and place them cut-side-up on a baking sheet. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and roast for 30 to 40 minutes until softened.
- While the tomatoes are roasting, heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add minced garlic, smoked paprika, and crushed red pepper flakes, and sauté for an additional 2 minutes.
- Once the tomatoes are done roasting, add them to the pot along with their juices, followed by the vegetable broth and fresh basil leaves. Stir everything together well.
- Use an immersion blender to purée the soup until it reaches your preferred texture. If using a traditional blender, blend in batches, ensuring there is room for steam to escape.
- Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, and smoked paprika if needed.
- Serve the soup warm, adding any toppings you like, such as grated Parmesan, a drizzle of cream, or homemade croutons. Enjoy your roasted tomato soup!
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 pounds ripe tomatoes (such as cherry, grape, Roma, or cluster tomatoes)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- Fine sea salt
- Freshly-cracked black pepper
- 1 large white or yellow onion, diced
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 3/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 1/2 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup loosely-packed fresh basil leaves
- Freshly-grated Parmesan cheese
- Drizzle of heavy cream or olive oil
- Croutons
- Sour cream
- Extra fresh basil
FAQ
- Can I use any type of tomatoes for roasted tomato soup?
- While you can technically use any tomatoes, small- to medium-sized varieties such as cherry, grape, Roma, or vine tomatoes are recommended for their concentrated and sweet flavor when roasted. It’s important to choose the ripest tomatoes available to enhance the soup’s taste.
- Is it necessary to roast the garlic and onion with the tomatoes?
- Roasting garlic and onion with the tomatoes can add a sweeter flavor, but if you prefer a more traditional taste, you can sauté them separately. Keeping the garlic peel on during roasting helps prevent burning.
- What are some possible variations to the roasted tomato soup recipe?
- You can customize the soup by adding ingredients like heavy cream, coconut cream, or cashew cream for creaminess. Incorporating bacon bits, white beans, or a sautéed potato can also alter the texture and taste. Additionally, a swirl of basil pesto or a sprinkle of sugar can provide unique flavors.
- How can I safely blend the hot soup?
- When using a traditional blender, it’s crucial to avoid overfilling it with hot liquid. Fill it no more than two-thirds full, leave the cap slightly open to let hot air escape, and blend slowly to prevent splatters.
- What are some topping suggestions for roasted tomato soup?
- Popular toppings include freshly-grated cheese like Parmesan or cheddar, a drizzle of heavy cream or olive oil, homemade croutons, sour cream, and fresh basil. For a fun twist, try adding grilled cheese croutons by dicing grilled cheese sandwiches into bite-sized pieces.
Tips
- Choose the Ripest Tomatoes: For the most flavorful soup, select the ripest tomatoes available. If making this soup outside of peak tomato season, opt for cherry or grape tomatoes as they tend to have better flavor year-round.
- Adjust Texture to Preference: Blend the soup to your desired consistency. If you prefer a smoother soup, blend it longer, or leave some chunks if you enjoy a heartier texture.
- Handle Hot Liquids with Care: When blending hot soup, whether using an immersion blender or a traditional blender, exercise caution. For traditional blenders, leave some space for steam to escape and blend in batches if necessary to avoid splatters.
- Experiment with Seasonings and Toppings: Customize the soup to your taste by adjusting the amount of smoked paprika and crushed red pepper flakes. Also, consider adding toppings like cheese, a drizzle of cream, or homemade croutons for added flavor and texture.
Equipment
- Immersion blender (handheld blender)
- Traditional blender (if not using an immersion blender)
- Wire rack
