Apr 14 2011

Roasted Tomato Soup

Published by at 6:00 am under Gluten Free,Soup,Vegetarian

Roasted Tomato Soup

I love a good tomato soup.

I’ve had excellent tomato soup in restaurants, and okay organic soup from a can…but to me, canned soup always tastes like…the can.

I’ve been meaning to make a roasted tomato soup for…too long. I’ve made it before, but I don’t exaggerate when I say it’s been years. Years! Pretty sad, huh?

Roma Tomatoes
tossed with olive oil
roasted tomatoes
starting the soup

So how did I finally get inspired to make tomato soup again?


A cookbook. There’s nothing crazy or unusual about this recipe, but it’s classic Ina: simple and delicious. I simply needed to page through The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook to be reminded that I should just make a big pot of soup. And, anyone who has roasted tomatoes before knows how sweet even out of season tomatoes can get, when a bit of heat is applied.

after blending in the food mill

If you decide to make this soup, it’s either a weekend endeavor, or a two-part job (roast the tomatoes one day, make the soup another). It will take a couple of hours total, but you don’t have to do a whole lot in the kitchen during that time, freeing you up to catch up on your shows, give yourself a pedicure, or read that book that’s been calling your name.

Tomato Soup with Parmesan Crouton

Roasted Tomato Soup
adapted from The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook

Print Recipe

3 pounds Roma tomatoes
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
1 tablespoon Kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper
2 large yellow onions, chopped
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons butter
28 ounce can San Marzano tomatoes
2 cups fresh basil leaves
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
4 cups chicken stock*
1-2 teaspoons sugar (optional)
Parmesan Croutons (see below)

Heat oven to 400*F.

Cut Roma tomatoes in half lengthwise. In a very large bowl, toss with 1/4 cup olive oil and salt. Spread on large baking sheet and season with pepper. Roast for 45 minutes; remove from oven and allow to sit at room temperature.

In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, saute the onions and garlic with remaining oil and the butter until the onions start to brown. Add canned tomatoes (with their juices), basil, thyme, and chicken stock. Add the roasted tomatoes with any liquid on the baking sheet. Bring soup to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Taste; if overly-acidic, add 1 teaspoon of sugar.

Simmer 10 more minutes. Taste again, adjusting salt, pepper, and sugar as needed.

Pass through a food mill fitted with coarsest blade. Serve hot or cold.

Garnish with basil or croutons. (If you’re a cheese lover, you may as well garnish with additional parm, as well. It’s good. Very good.)

*Soup is vegetarian if made with vegetable stock or water. Soup is gluten free if made with gluten free stock and croutons (if using).

Parmesan Croutons

1 baguette, sliced 1/4 inch thick
extra virgin olive oil
salt & pepper
shredded parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 450*F. Arrange bread on a rimmed baking sheet (tip: line with foil for easier cleanup) and brush both sides with olive oil. Bake for 5-7 minutes or until golden.

Turn the broiler on. Sprinkle cheese on each crouton and broil until melted.

2 responses so far

2 Responses to “Roasted Tomato Soup”

  1. Parmesan Croutonson 17 Apr 2011 at 9:57 pm

    […] without turning them to mush. They add enough fat and protein to even a meatless soup, like my Roasted Tomato Soup, that it becomes a meal all on its […]

  2. Lisa Reidon 03 Oct 2013 at 4:34 pm

    Hi Sara – what a yummy soup recipe! I have always loved tomatoes! I have usually eaten them in salads or sandwiches, but now i can’t wait to try your soup recipe with them roasted! I do know how to roast vegetables. But i have never roasted tomatoes, so this will be interesting for me to try! By the way, i still don’t have my new email address going yet, and i have just written my first exam for the season, and sent it off in the mail, and i would like to think it went pretty well. take care, sincerely, Lisa.

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