My favorite tomato soup recipe! You wouldn’t think three ingredients (butter, onion, and tomato) can combine to make such a velvety and delicious tomato soup, but let me tell you. They can.
Watch the Video
This quick and easy tomato soup recipe is your new weeknight hero. You need just three main ingredients and most of the cooking is hands-off.
Canned tomatoes work like a charm, making this one of my favorite pantry staple recipes. You can also use fresh tomatoes—I’ve shared tips for either in the recipe below. If you love roasted tomatoes, see our roasted tomato soup recipe.
Key Ingredients
With just three main ingredients (butter, tomatoes, and onion), you can make an amazingly delicious tomato soup. Add water (or broth) and salt, then simmer for one of the best bowls of tomato soup we’ve ever had.
Inspired by Marcella Hazan’s famous tomato sauce, we keep things incredibly simple. Don’t let the short ingredient list fool you. This soup is packed with flavor! If you’re still hesitant, check out the rave reviews below. You might be surprised at how delicious simplicity can be.
I love the convenience of canned tomatoes for this soup. They’re always in season, so I can enjoy this recipe year-round. San Marzano or Muir Glen are my go-to.
If you have fresh tomatoes, you’ll need about 10 to 12 medium (or 2 pounds). There is no need to peel them. Everything is blended in the end anyway!
How to Make Tomato Soup
To make the soup, add butter, half an onion cut into large wedges, and a large can of tomatoes to a large pot. (Remember, you can use fresh tomatoes – tips for using them are in the recipe below.)
Bring everything to a low simmer and cook for 40 minutes. The photo and video show that our tomato soup becomes really creamy— thanks to the butter. The onions also soften, making the soup even more creamy when blended.
Blend the soup until smooth. An immersion blender is helpful, but a blender works perfectly fine. Adjust the soup with salt and pepper, then grab a bowl and enjoy!
What to Serve with Tomato Soup
Our family loves serving tomato soup with a grilled cheese sandwich. This tomato soup is also excellent, topped with homemade croutons or served next to a slice of homemade focaccia or buttery garlic bread.
I also love serving soup next to fresh salads. Try our easy chopped salad, tahini kale salad, or homemade Caesar salad.
More Easy Soup Recipes
- Gazpacho (chilled tomato soup)
- Easy Creamy Vegetable Soup
- Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
- Creamy Roasted Cauliflower Soup
- Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Easy 3 Ingredient Tomato Soup
- PREP
- COOK
- TOTAL
You only need three base ingredients to make this velvety, rich tomato soup recipe. This soup is your new favorite weeknight meal.
Watch Us Make the Recipe
You Will Need
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 large onion, cut into large wedges
1 (28-ounce) can tomatoes, we prefer to use whole peeled or crushed, see notes for fresh tomatoes
1 ½ cups water, low sodium vegetable stock, or chicken stock
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt, or more to taste
Directions
1Melt the butter over medium heat in a Dutch oven or large saucepan.
2Add onion wedges, water, tomatoes with their juices, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
3Bring to a simmer. Cook, uncovered, for about 40 minutes. Stir occasionally and add additional salt as needed.
4Blend the soup, and then season to taste. The soup doesn’t need to be ultra-smooth; some texture is nice. An immersion blender does make quick work of this, or you can use a blender. When using a regular blender, work in smaller batches, and don’t fill it too high – hot soup expands! For safety, remove the lid’s center insert and cover the opening with a kitchen towel while blending. This releases steam and prevents messy splatters.
5Store homemade tomato soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days or freeze for up to three months.
Adam and Joanne's Tips
- Fresh tomatoes: Use 10 to 12 medium tomatoes (2 pounds). No need to peel them, everything is blended in the end.
- Vegan tomato soup: Substitute the butter for plant-based butter or extra-virgin olive oil.
- For tomato basil soup: Add a handful of fresh basil before blending the soup.
- Make creamy tomato soup: After blending, add a splash of cream for an extra creamy tomato soup.
- The nutrition facts provided below are estimates. We have omitted salt since you will need to add to your tastes.
This is a wonderful soup. I have been making this for years! So happy that I came across this recipe years ago.
I love this so easy. After the first time ( I had issues with the blending) I chop the onions since I enjoy small pieces of onion in the soup. I also add a splash of cream to cut the acidity. Thank you
Love the addition of a little cream 🙂
So easy and delicious!! Can’t you wait until soup cools before blending?
Yep, you can wait if you want!
I’ve been using this recipe for years absolutely love it! Everyone that tries it raves about it. The only thing I do differently is I have found tomato/Chicken bouillon cubes. Happy to go perfectly with tomato soup!! 😀
You have made our day 🙂
I used San Marzano tomatoes and homemade chicken stock and it was amazing. Simple and I always have the ingredients in the house.
Hi Linda, Thank you so much for coming back to let us know you love the recipe!
Oh dear Lord. This is the best BEST tomato soup recipe. I’ve been making it for many months but slacked on posting a review. Just love it. I’m making it now as I type … it’s quite simply – amazing. Thank you!
That’s such wonderful news! Thank you SO MUCH for coming back and letting us know. It helps us and our readers so much.
Great recipe! Simple and quick. What a good go to for a quick lunch or dinner.
So glad you enjoyed it, Roger!
The best tomato soup I have made.’❤️
What an amazing compliment. I’m thrilled you gave it a try.
most delicious tomato soup and it’s soooo easy. i’m in love!!
Excellent!!!!
Wish I could figure out how to post a pic! Great recipe! Had to adjust based on what was in cupboard but, AWESOME!!
We don’t have a way to attach photos yet. You can share your photo on Instagram and tag us. So glad you loved the recipe! 🙂
Omg I fell in love this is great I love these recipes I appreciate you guys for taking the time out a sharing your blessings your recipes are wonderful tasty great and warming to the heart and tummy Much love too you guys.
Thanks so much for your kind words! We are thrilled you have found us.
Easy and decadent…I used the fancy butter, chicken stock and Muir Glen fire roasted crushed tomatoes. A pinch of red pepper flakes and basil too. Thank you for this super easy and tasty recipe for lazy crappy weather days 🙂