Creamy Tomato Soup with Brown Butter Garlic Croutons.
Can we resolve to do one thing in 2013?
Okay, good.
We’re not going to put anything in our mouths that isn’t insanely delicious and wonderful. Yeah yeah – I know how it sounds. But you have to do it.
I think I decided to do this somewhere between the years of 2009 and 2010. At least I’m pretty sure. But whatever, it really was the greatest decision I ever made. The greatest. I make it all count. I can say with sincerity that 98% of the stuff I eat everyday are things I enjoy so, so much. Even to the point of covering with vegetables with, well… something. It’s necessary.
So now… tomato soup.
You’re bored already, right? I mean, tomato soup can be boring. Plain. Unexciting. All of those things.
The thing about tomato soup? Is that I really don’t care that much for tomato soup. Or at least, I DIDN’T care for tomato soup. Didn’t think I did. You might remember that I’m generally not a fan of tomato sauce. So tomato soup? Eh. It’s sort of like a giant vat of sauce in soup form. Plus, my mom never made tomato soup when we were growing up, and it was due to one very specific reason. I sort of want to tell you but you’re sort of going to die when I do. And since I can’t keep anything from you, here it is: ummmmm, so Mother Lovett used tomato soup… as… tomato sauce. Yeah. Like tomato soup from a can. She put it on noodles. Like spaghetti. Treated it like tomato sauce.
I know. What? This doesn’t even make sense. I didn’t experience this first hand (uh, thank God?) but subliminally I believe it played a part in my tomato sauce hatred and lack thereof tomato soup tastings.
I have, however, always enjoyed the idea of tomato soup, especially when paired with grilled cheese and even more so especially because you know I’m that weird person that dips my grilled cheeses in ketchup. I will forever choose ketchup over tomato soup for dipping purposes any day, but since it’s freezing cold and the heart of winter and slightly depressing because the holidays are coming to a close which basically just means there is no longer a constant flow of cookies in the home, soup it is. Plus, soup is satisfying and offers sustenance and all that good stuff. And since I know you’re so tempted to only eat a few lettuce leaves today, it’s just not happening. Hear that? Not. Happening.
I mean… there’s croutons!
Creamy Tomato Soup with Brown Butter Garlic Croutons
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 sweet onion, diced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 (28-ounce) cans whole, peeled tomatoes
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable stock
- 1/3 cup mascarpone cheese
- 1/3 cup freshly grated havarti cheese
croutons
- 2 cups cubed whole grain bread
- 3 tablespoons brown butter
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Instructions
- Heat a large soup pot oven medium-low heat and add olive oil and butter. Add onions, salt, pepper, seasonings and smoked paprika, then stir well to coat. Cook until onions are soft and translucent, about 5-6 minutes. Stir in garlic and tomato paste, using the back of the spoon well to mash the tomato paste and evenly distribute it throughout the onions. Cook for another 5-6 minutes or so, stirring occasionally, allowing the tomato paste to become golden in spots.
- Add in both cans of the tomatoes (with juice) and the stock, bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and let bubble for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. While the mixture is simmering, I occasionally mashed the tomatoes down just to make them easier to blend.
- While the soup is cooking, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Brown the butter and let it sit for 2-3 minutes, then toss in the minced garlic cloves and stir for 30 seconds. Add bread cubes to a large bowl and pour the garlic/butter mixture over top, tossing well to coat. Place the bread cubes on a baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, tossing once or twice during cooking. If you desire them more golden, bake a little longer – just keep an eye on them.
- After the hour is up, very carefully add the mixture to a blender (you will probably have to do this in two parts) and puree until totally smooth. Add back to the pot over low heat. Stir in the mascarpone and havarti, stirring until it’s completely melted. Taste and season additionally with salt and pepper if needed. Serve in big bowls with an extra dollop of mascarpone and bunch of croutons on top.
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Hello comfort in a bowl.
128 Comments on “Creamy Tomato Soup with Brown Butter Garlic Croutons.”
Is it okay to have tomato soup and these giant croutons for breakfast? Ok, good.
I can’t believe you’ve never had macaroni or spaghetti with tomato soup! My mom and my aunt used to make this when I was little for lunch sometimes and it’s kind of tasty. I used to make it in university sometimes too. Melt a little cheese on there… delicious! In my family, we all know the difference between tomato soup and tomato sauce, and this certainly wouldn’t pass as a real spaghetti supper. I haven’t made it in quite awhile… maybe my palette is more refined now? But I will say that I did enjoy it! But then again, I also used to eat Kraft Dinner and ketchup… so maybe I’m not a good judge.
I love tomato soup and your photos and recipe ate beautiful!!! Love the garlic croutons!!
ooh I actually love tomato soup so I would be very very happy with a bowl of this!
LOL I love your Mother Lovett stories! To be honest, I’ve never been a big tomato soup fan, and I chalk that up to the fact that my mum only ever bought Campbells canned tomato soup (which let’s be honest, does not taste anything like real homemade tomato soup). I’d happily devour bowls of yours though!
Oh my gosh, that Mother Lovett story – I can’t even think about it!
The only tomato soup I’ve ever had is Campbell’s – crazy, right? But Mike won’t eat it, so I’ve never branched out. I bet he’d like this homemade version though!
I love your philosophy on eating – I’m with you 100% on all of that!
My favorite way to eat tomato soup? Just cut up a grilled cheese sandwich into little cubes and you’ve got yourself cute little – kind of dangerous – grilled cheese croutons to float on top of your tomato-y goodness. Yum!
Beautiful! It sure beats Campbell’s soup any day! I did buy the Andy Warhol tomato soup cans from Target though……and there they sit in my kitchen,well what’s left of it, right now.
This looks incredible! I just baked brown butter snickerdoodles for the first time about a month ago, and this is the perfect recipe to fuel my obsession with the flavor. Love it!
xx
Sweet Tooth
brown butter garlic croutons… why, yes i think i will.
It’s such a pretty soup. I sometimes wish I liked tomatoes but I do love croutons and garlic so at least it’s a partial win
I’ve only come around to tomato soup THIS year. Every time I tried it, I would think….why do I want to sip a bowl of tomato sauce?!?!? I went to a friend’s house for lunch and she served these adorable mini caprese sandwiches and tomato soup. I saw it coming to the table and thought, uh-oh. Guess what? It was delicious. As I was walking out the door, I asked her to send me the recipe. Amy’s…from the can! I can’t get enough of it now. But, YAY, I’m so excited to have a homemade tomato soup to make…I trust you, Jessica! I know it will be wonderful!
And, grilled cheese? I dip mine in mustard. ;)
This looks absolutely amazing. I love tomato soup and have always wanted to make my own but I needed a good recipe. Cant wait to try this recipe.
I agree about only eating yummy things!!! There is such delicious food out there, i want to try as many new things as possible!!
I’m not sure if I have the patience to make soup, but this one sure does look good!!! =)
Ergo – Blog
My grandmother does the same thing. We made it into sandwiches on buttered white bread, just to get even weirder. I still crave it when I’m sick.
I am a tomato soup lover, but only really good homemade tomato soup. This definitely falls in that category! I agree that we should only be eating really delicious food. I have been eating that way for years. I cut out all processed food and store bought junk food several years ago, and I not only lost weight but I feel so much better! I
okay, those croutons are seriously begging me to make them.
Looks fantastic! And since it is made from tomatos, I reason that this is “healthy” and in fact the start of my healthy eating new years resolutions :)
Like you, I love the idea of tomato soup, but just don’t love it in actuality. Maybe I’ll have to try your’s!
I have a soft spot in my heart for a bowl of creamy tomato soup. It’s like I become a kid again, except my grilled cheese has become your browned butter garlic croutons. Need.
Hah my mother never made tomato soup either, so I kind of feel the same way about it. This looks good enough to give it a try, though!
I adore tomato soup!!! Just love the addition of marscapone for a little creaminess. Great start to the new year for sure. The only eating delicious food goal was set a few years ago for me too. I think that is the only goal one needs!
Wah hoo! So happy to see some delicious calories on January 2nd. I was worried some of my favorite blogs were gonna get all healthy on me this month! Don’t ever change How Sweet It Is.
I freaking LOVE tomato soup. With croutons. Without croutons. But I’ll make this WITH croutons… yum. My mom puts ketchup in her spaghetti sauce. Like A LOT of ketchup. I refuse to eat it but you and your grilled cheese might dig it.
I don’t fault my mom for making soups from a can; I have five siblings and I’m certain the ease of the effort might find it’s way into my kitchen too in that case.
But the results of a bit of time can’t be denied.The croutons? An absolute must; they are what really transport it to nirvana!
I only want good things in my mouth too. Good plan!
Tomato soup is my weakness. I literally cannot get enough of it. And with brown butter croutons? Bahhh! This is genius, Jessica, seriously!
She did what?! Tomato soup on noodles and passed it off as pomodoro sauce? My grandmother might have some words for Mother Lovett!
Regardless, the soup looks fantastic and I want those croutons now. Like, right now.
whoa–i can absolutely get behind a soup with mascarpone cheese in it–sold!
There is nothing like a good tomato soup! I like mine with basil and some white rice mixed in for good measure. Now you have me wanting this stat!
Ugh. I need this for lunch. Why must you make me shower and get dressed and actually leave my house to buy ingredients? So mean.
People always laugh at me for dipping grilled cheeses in ketchup. They don’t even know what they’re missing.
When I saw you had made homemade tomato soup, I died. There is nothing I love more than a steaming bowl of tomato soup with a grilled cheese on the side. Perfect food for this freezing cold weather we are having. Yum!
I adore tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. Looking forward to more of that this year! Happy new year!
Yum! I LOVE tomato soup with a grilled cheese. I also use it as a basis for a spicy meatball sauce that’s divine. My hubby also likes grilled cheeses dipped in ketchup, so you’re not alone! ;)
I actually like tomato soup, but am always trying to think of ways to jazz it up a bit. These brown butter croutons look great!
Oh this sounds perfect for the ridiculous cold we’re having now in KS. I always save my Parmesan rinds to toss in soup like this to melt down, too. Such great flavor! Can’t wait to get my hands on these croutons!
I’ve been loving tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwiches lately. Yum! I’ve been cheating and using Trader Joe’s boxed organic tomato soup though… Your version looks simple enough and super tasty, so I’m going to try to give it a shot!
Bored? No way, I am one of the tomato soup lovers! Grilled cheese and tomato soup may just be my favorite meal of all time. I haven’t changed sine I was 6 years old! The recipe sounds delicious!
I also dip grilled cheese in ketchup (preferred over tomato soup)…what’s worse…I also add ketchup to my mac n cheese (Kraft kind). Embarrassed to admit this but it’s a total guilty pleasure–try it!!!
I’m totally depressed that the holidays are over as well- which is probably why I’m listening to Christmas music at the moment when no one else is home! A delicious bowl of soup sounds the perfect remedy.
Heck yes! I got an immersion blender for Christmas and haven’t stopped thinking about making tomato soup since! Thanks for the recipe!
I made this soup for lunch today and it was GREAT!
I used my immersion blender to blend the soup right in the pot (stainless steel pot) and it was so easy.
My mom heard the words brown butter and garlic, and had me triple the crouton recipe so that she could eat some with a salad.
This recipe is a keeper! Thanks!
So… can I skip the veggie loaded soup and just eat handfuls upon handfuls of these croutons whilst standing in my kitchen drooling over food and wine magazine????
tomato soup is a perfect way to start the new year!
The thought of using tomato soup instead of tomato sauce actually made me gag a little. So gross. My roomie makes canned tomato soup and I hate the smell of it — however, I think I can get down with a homemade version, especially with cheese stirred in and croutons on top!!
I made creamy tomato soup about 2 weeks ago and my husband has been talking about it ever since! And I love it when you share Mother Lovett stories and tidbits!
I think I might be getting sick, and I’m pretty sure I need this soup ASAP! Delicious!!
This tomato soup sounds amazing but THE CROUTONS!!! with BROWN BUTTER!! I may never go back… YUM!
Now I want tomato soup with a grilled cheese. And a comfy blanket and a couch to curl up in an a marathon of Project Runway on TV so I can truly be in heaven.