Easy 3 Ingredient Tomato Soup

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

Tomato Soup Recipe 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!

Easy Three-Ingredient Tomato Soup

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.)

Tomato Soup Ingredients in a pot (canned tomatoes, butter, and onion)

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.

Cooking tomato soup

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

Easy Three-Ingredient Tomato Soup

Easy 3 Ingredient Tomato Soup

  • PREP
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You only need three base ingredients to make this velvety, rich tomato soup recipe. This soup is your new favorite weeknight meal.

Makes 2 generous servings

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.
Nutrition Per Serving Serving Size Half of the recipe / Calories 348 / Total Fat 24.9g / Saturated Fat 14.8g / Cholesterol 61mg / Sodium 1485.4mg / Carbohydrate 29.6g / Dietary Fiber 4.5g / Total Sugars 15.4g / Protein 7.8g
AUTHOR:  Adam and Joanne Gallagher
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839 comments… Leave a Review
  • Jennifer March 25, 2024, 5:38 pm

    This is a wonderful soup. I have been making this for years! So happy that I came across this recipe years ago.

    Reply
  • Lois March 23, 2024, 6:06 pm

    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

    Reply
    • Adam March 25, 2024, 2:30 pm

      Love the addition of a little cream 🙂

      Reply
  • Clara Martin March 15, 2024, 1:28 pm

    So easy and delicious!! Can’t you wait until soup cools before blending?

    Reply
    • Joanne March 27, 2024, 6:35 pm

      Yep, you can wait if you want!

      Reply
  • Colleen March 11, 2024, 6:56 pm

    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!! 😀

    Reply
    • Adam March 11, 2024, 6:57 pm

      You have made our day 🙂

      Reply
  • Linda March 8, 2024, 9:17 pm

    I used San Marzano tomatoes and homemade chicken stock and it was amazing. Simple and I always have the ingredients in the house.

    Reply
    • Adam March 10, 2024, 6:17 pm

      Hi Linda, Thank you so much for coming back to let us know you love the recipe!

      Reply
  • Kavitha Arms March 7, 2024, 2:50 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Joanne March 7, 2024, 5:16 pm

      That’s such wonderful news! Thank you SO MUCH for coming back and letting us know. It helps us and our readers so much.

      Reply
  • Roger March 6, 2024, 9:49 am

    Great recipe! Simple and quick. What a good go to for a quick lunch or dinner.

    Reply
    • Joanne March 27, 2024, 6:34 pm

      So glad you enjoyed it, Roger!

      Reply
  • Carol March 5, 2024, 1:02 pm

    The best tomato soup I have made.’❤️

    Reply
    • Joanne March 27, 2024, 6:35 pm

      What an amazing compliment. I’m thrilled you gave it a try.

      Reply
  • Jessica Ryapolov February 20, 2024, 6:10 pm

    most delicious tomato soup and it’s soooo easy. i’m in love!!

    Reply
  • L February 18, 2024, 5:07 pm

    Excellent!!!!

    Reply
  • Maggie February 9, 2024, 6:57 pm

    Wish I could figure out how to post a pic! Great recipe! Had to adjust based on what was in cupboard but, AWESOME!!

    Reply
    • Adam February 9, 2024, 7:07 pm

      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! 🙂

      Reply
  • MzDedicated February 4, 2024, 11:45 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Joanne February 27, 2024, 6:55 pm

      Thanks so much for your kind words! We are thrilled you have found us.

      Reply
  • Dulce February 2, 2024, 8:38 pm

    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 🙂

    Reply

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