Tomato Soup with Basil and Goat Cheese
Is there anything more comforting than a smooth and creamy tomato soup? This version has plenty of flavor and can be customized to your tastes with more or less spice, a bigger dollop of goat cheese, or a kick of smoked paprika. “This soup was FABULOUS! A sophisticated twist on a classic comfort food. The Worcestershire sauce and balsamic vinegar give it a nice zing, and the basil and goat cheese make it taste like something you’d find at a fancy bistro. Both our kids cleaned their bowls,” according to recipe tester Ailea Sneller.
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp. butter
- 1 yellow onion finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced, about 2 tsp.
- 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
- 56 oz. canned San Marzano tomatoes or use other whole tomatoes, with their liquid
- 2 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth or use vegetable broth. For a creamier soup, use 1 cup broth and 1 cup heavy cream, whole milk, or nonfat condensed milk, but add the milk or cream after the soup has simmered for 15 minutes
- 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce for a vegetarian and gluten-free alternative, use 6 drops hot sauce and 1/4 tsp. sugar per each Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 1 - 3 tsp. balsamic vinegar to taste
- 1/4 cup goat cheese or use crème fraiche or sour cream, for serving
- 1/4 cup fresh basil thinly sliced, for serving
Instructions
- In a stockpot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. When it is melted, add the onions and sauté them for about 5 minutes until they are translucent, but not browned.
- Add the garlic and crushed peppers and sauté them for 30 seconds – 1 minute, until they are fragrant.
- Stir in the tomatoes, broth, Worcestershire, and vinegar, cover it, bring it to a boil, and then remove the lid.
- Let it simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally and crushing the tomatoes with a spatula or spoon.
- After 15 minutes, puree the soup until it is smooth, using an immersion blender or transfer it to a standing blender. Serve it immediately, stirring in a dollop of goat cheese and topping it with some fresh basil, or refrigerate it for up to 3 days, or freeze it for up to 3 months.
Notes
Do Ahead or Delegate: Chop the onion, peel the garlic, or fully prepare and refrigerate or freeze the soup.
Scramble Flavor Booster: Add a pinch of saffron or smoked paprika to the simmering pot, season it with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Or for a sweeter flavor, add 1 Tbsp. molasses as it simmers.
Tip: Keep your kitchen stocked with masking tape and a permanent marker — that way, when you’re packing up leftovers, for the fridge or freezer, you can easily label them with the contents and date. It’s a great way to keep mystery leftovers from going to waste.
Video: Watch Jessica make this soup on Facebook Live!
Like this recipe? Check out The Scramble's family-friendly meal plans to see just how simple getting dinner on the table can be!
Nutrition
Calories: 132kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 6gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 505mgPotassium: 631mgFiber: 3gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 647IUVitamin C: 27mgCalcium: 113mgIron: 3mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
30 Out-of-the-Box Ideas for Healthy School Lunches
Wednesday 20th of November 2019
[…] soup or chili in a thermos (try The Scramble’s Tomato Soup with Basil and Goat Cheese or Roasted Sweet Potato and Apple […]
Meal Planning for When Mom (or Dad) is Away
Tuesday 8th of October 2019
[…] ready and waiting in the freezer or fridge for them to grab and go. Some recent favorites have been tomato soup and breadsticks and baked […]