Garlic Roasted Tomato Soup Recipe

This Garlic Roasted Tomato Soup is bold, flavorful and comforting with super cozy vibes. It’s also easy to make, uses simple ingredients, and is totally family friendly as a starter or part of a main meal. It’s also great for entertaining or holiday gatherings. You’ll never open a can of soup again.

Original post: November 2017 | Updated: December 2020 and November 2024

Why This Recipe Works

• SO delicious. No bland soup here! 
• I am picky when it comes to tomato soup. I take the job of creating a truly delicious tomato soup for you very seriously.
• Roasting the fresh, ripe tomatoes with the garlic helps them caramelize and it sweetens the soup. 
• It’s comforting knowing exactly which ingredients are going into your meal. 
• This soup is easy to make and is super affordable, too. 
• Ultimate comfort food recipe in the fall season and winter months. 
• It is hearty, bold, flavorful, comforting and packed with just the perfect amounts of both savory and sweet.

I am picky when it comes to tomato soup. There is one restaurant here in the Cities that makes tomato soup to my liking. One. Every other version I’ve tried could use improvement, in my humble opinion. I take the job of creating a truly delicious tomato soup for you very seriously.

This soup is hearty, bold, flavorful, comforting and packed with just the perfect amounts of both savory and sweet. It’s also easy to make and very affordable, especially if you grow your own tomatoes! Make it when you have a bounty and freeze it. You’ll be glad to have this recipe in the fall and winter months! 

It’s also comforting knowing exactly which ingredients are going into your meal. And this homemade tomato soup recipe uses fresh, wholesome ingredients to give this simple soup a flavor better than any you’ll find in The Cities, in my humble opinion.

Roasted Garlic Tomato Soup Ingredients

This delicious soup recipe uses fresh, wholesome ingredients for maximum flavor.

Roasted tomatoes and garlic – Be sure to make time to roast your tomatoes and garlic! This can be done in less than 30 minutes. Another option is to roast the garlic and tomatoes ahead of time so you’re ready to dive into the rest of the recipe. 

Butter – Salted or unsalted. Use butter and olive oil interchangeably.

Yellow onion – Can be replaced with white onion.

Crushed tomatoes – Plain or flavored canned tomatoes will work.

Chicken broth – Replace with any type of broth.

Fresh basil leaves – I love basil and its sweet pungent smell, as it helps cut down on the acidity of the meal, too. Replace fresh basil with dry basil if it’s not in season.

Dried seasonings – Oregano, salt and pepper create a simple yet powerful flavor trio.

Granulated sugar – Adds a nice touch of sweetness. Feel free to adjust amounts according to your tastes.

Dinner rolls – These aren’t necessary for the soup, but add such a nice, delicious touch when serving to guests.

Toppings – Shaved Parmesan cheese and extra basil are my favorite toppings and they make the final dish look gorgeous.

How To Make Garlic Roasted Tomato Soup

Follow these simple steps for perfect tomato soup your family won’t be able to resist.

Step 1

Roast tomatoes and garlic and let cool. Remove and discard the skins from the large tomato pieces.

Step 2

Melt the butter in a Dutch oven or large heavy-duty skillet or large pot over medium heat. Add onion, salt and pepper and cook (stirring occasionally) for 3-5 minutes, or until onion is soft and fragrant. 

Add the crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, basil, oregano, sugar and cooled roasted tomatoes.

Step 3

Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce to medium-low and simmer uncovered (stirring often) for 45 minutes. 

For a chunky soup, serve immediately. For a thinner soup, let cool and add half (or more) of the soup to a blender and puree until desired consistency is reached. Add back to the Dutch oven and heat over medium until the soup is hot.

Step 4

Spread 1 tablespoon of butter over the inside of each half roll.

Arrange rolls butter-side-up on a baking sheet and place under a broiler for 3 minutes, or until edges are crispy and butter is melted. Keep a close eye to prevent burning!

Step 5

Ladle the soup into bowls and top each with a broiled roll half, Parmesan cheese and basil. You can also add a little drizzle of heavy cream.

Recipe Notes & Tips

• I prefer a chunky version of tomato soup so I don’t typically blend mine, but feel free to puree half or more of the mixture with an immersion blender or food processor to create a creamier texture.
• A poached egg is a delicious source of meatless protein in this soup if you’re up for preparing one!
• Adding 3/4 cup heavy cream to your soup will thicken the soup slightly and give it a creamy texture. (Add after the soup is finished cooking.) This is a great way to enjoy the same recipe two different ways.
• Be sure to make time to roast your tomatoes! Roasting fresh tomatoes helps them caramelize and it sweetens the soup. This can be done in less than 30 minutes. 
• Another option is to roast the tomatoes ahead of time so you’re ready to dive into the rest of the recipe.
• Garnish your soup with some roasted cherry tomatoes for a beautiful look!
• You can replace the bread with homemade croutons.
• Replace fresh basil with dry basil if that’s what you have.
• Replace olive oil with butter, if desired.
• Use vegetable broth and a dairy free butter for a vegan version.
• Make a double recipe batch and freeze some for later!

What to Serve with Tomato Garlic Soup

These are just a few foods I like to eat with my tomato soup. You can find a lot more delicious options for What to Serve with Tomato Soup!

• A simple grilled cheese sandwich is the classic choice, but any type of sandwich pairs perfectly with soup. This soup is amazing with leftover meatloaf sandwiches!
• Quesadillas – Basically a grilled cheese for adults, but a cheesy quesadilla or cheese rollup pairs perfectly with this tomato soup.
• Bread – A simple piece of warm crusty bread, sourdough bread, crunchy breadsticks or dinner rolls with butter are perfect sides for soup. Garlic bread is a great option, too!
• Salad – A fresh, leafy greens salad, classic chopped salad, or a spinach salad are perfect options.

How To Add Flavor To Soup

There are numerous ways to add extra flavor to your soups. My first recommendation: start small. Add extra ingredients a little bit at a time so they don’t start overwhelming the flavor of the dish. Check out even more tips to learn how to add flavor to your next batch of soup here!

• Cayenne pepper or chili powder.
• A few drops of you favorite hot sauce.
• Use some Italian seasoning or other herb blend.
• Add some caramelized onions.
• Minced, dried onion or onion powder (1/2 tsp at a time).
• Minced garlic or garlic powder. 
• Top the soup with shaved Parmesan (or any shredded cheese!) just before serving.
• Use seasoned salt or smoked salt.
• Add a little extra black pepper.
• Additional spices of your choice, such as paprika, cumin, turmeric, chili powder, cumin, cinnamon or oregano (1/2 tsp at a time).
• A can of diced tomatoes. Use a variety with additional flavors/spices for added flavor.
• Add fresh herbs such as parsley, chives or thyme leaves.
• Taco seasoning. Consider making homemade taco seasoning! It’s so easy.

How To Thicken Tomato Soup

These are just a few simple tips to help thicken your soup\

• Add cream – Adding 3/4 cup heavy cream or coconut milk to your soup will thicken the soup slightly and give it a creamy tomato soup texture.
• Make a cornstarch slurry – Mix a little cornstarch with warm water and stir it into the boiling soup.
• Beans – Blend in a can of chickpeas or white beans (drained).
• Reduce the soup – Allow excess water to evaporate by simmering the soup, uncovered, for a longer period of time.

How To Freeze Roasted Garlic

You can freeze roasted garlic for 2-3 months. Follow these simple directions and never waste heads of garlic again.

• After roasting the garlic, remove any remaining skins.
• Place the roasted garlic cloves in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet or cookie sheet.
• Place the sheet pan in the freezer for at least 3 hours.
• Transfer the frozen cloves of garlic to a freezer safe storage bag.
• Date the bag and place in the freezer until you need it. 

How to Store Leftover Soup

Allow any leftover tomato soup to cool completely before storing. 

Place the cooled soup in an airtight container or mason jars. Keep in the coldest part of your refrigerator and eat within 3-4 days.

Can You Freeze Homemade Tomato Soup

Yes, homemade tomato soup freezes and reheats beautifully and can  be kept for up to 6 months when stored properly. Follow my easy tips on freezing soup below.

How To Freeze Homemade Tomato Soup

• Allow the soup cool to room temperature. 
• Place the cooled soup in a freezer bag or airtight container. 
• If using a freezer bag – fill the bag about 3//4 full and seal the bag mostly. Carefully lay the bag flat and remove most of the air from the bag before you finish sealing it completely. Leave a little room for the soup to expand a little during freezing. Freeze the bag on its side to save freezer space, and you can stack bags on top of each other.
• If using a container – make sure it is a freezer safe, airtight container with a good sealing lid. Fill the jar mostly, leaving a little room for expansion. Seal the lid tightly, date, and freeze up to 6 months.
• When you are ready to eat it, remove the frozen soup from the freezer and let it thaw in the fridge.

How to Reheat Leftover Tomato Soup

Reheat soup in a pot on the stove or in the microwave.

On the Stove – reheat the soup over medium to medium-high heat for about 5-7 minutes or until warmed through completely.

In the Microwave – use a microwave safe dish and heat the soup for 2-3 minutes, stir, and heat for 1 more minute if necessary.

What To Do With Roasted Tomatoes

There are a ton of great uses for roasted tomatoes. These are just a handful of my favorites.

• Replace the tomatoes in my Chili and Pasta Sauce recipes with them
• Blend them into some hummus
• Bake some roast tomato tarts
• Use them on your morning avocado toast
• Make bruschetta or just use them to top garlic bread slices

Best Soup Recipes

• Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
• Broccoli Cheese Soup (a Panera copycat)
• Butternut Squash Soup
• Taco Soup with Black Beans

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