How to make homemade tomato soup just like Campbell’s used to make! Actually, I think they still make it, but who needs it when this dairy free and real food version is just as easy, twice as good, and much better for you? This creamy homemade tomato soup is gluten free, vegan, paleo, and Whole30 compliant. Best of all? It requires just a few pantry staples to make and is perfect for dinner on a chilly weeknight!
Is there any combination of foods more familiar and soothing than homemade tomato soup?
I think we all know the answer to that: no way. Actually, maybe the only thing better than a steaming bowl of homemade tomato soup is that bowl served with a dunkable grilled cheese (or grilled cheeze, for the vegan and lactose-intolerant crowd) sandwich on the side.
As half of the country is probably still working on shoveling itself out of a snowdrift, there’s no better time to re-enact that classic Campbell’s commercial where the kid warms up with a steaming bowl of creamy tomato soup.
Only…let’s face it, who wants to eat that shelf stable version with one million ingredients when an all-natural, homemade tomato soup made of only 3 ingredients (plus salt, pepper and spices) is just a few stirs away?
How to make homemade tomato soup
Go to your pantry. Gather:
- 1 can crushed tomatoes
- 1 can unsweetened full fat coconut milk
- Olive oil
- A bunch of spices
That’s really it. In the time since I originally posted this recipe, I’ve simplified the recipe to use onion powder instead of fresh onions, but if you prefer to go the fresh route, feel free. You can read the note at the end of the recipe for this variation.
Now, to make the soup, just heat up some olive oil, fry the spices (this helps unlock maximum flavor), and then add the contents of the two cans. Stir, simmer, serve.
OK, I think it’s important to come clean about something here: this recipe is SO easy that you might think something is wrong. Or you’re missing something. Or it can’t possibly be healthy. You may have heard rumors to that effect…. (maybe?)
Lies! All lies!
This easy tomato soup recipe is, in fact, everything it promises to be. Dozens of happy and full readers, who have written to me or left comments telling me how often they make this in their homes, would tell you the same!
How to make homemade tomato soup! Who needs Campbell's when this super creamy homemade version is just as easy, twice as good, and much better for you?
- 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 4-5 cups tomato puree
- 15 ounces unsweetened full fat coconut milk (1 3/4 cups)
- 1/8 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper or to taste
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Heat the oil in a stockpot.
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Add all of the spices except the salt and pepper, and fry until fragrant.
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Add the crushed tomatoes to the pot, stir to combine and bring to a simmer and cook 5 more minutes. This allows the flavors to mingle a little.
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Stir in the coconut milk. Taste and adjust spices to your preference.
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Serve immediately, or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days or in the fridge for up to a month.
- This recipe has been updated to make it even easier, and in doing so, the fresh onion was removed from the recipe. If you would like to use fresh onion instead of onion powder: sweat 1/2 cup thinly sliced sweet onion in the olive oil before adding the spices, tomatoes, and coconut milk, then use a stick blender to puree the soup until smooth before serving.
PS: don’t forget your grilled cheese! In case you missed it, I have a paleo sandwich bread and a low carb blender sandwich bread recipe that might be perfect. 😉
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Kathryn says
There really is nothing better than a bowl of tomato soup on a cold day. This looks so delicious – I think I’m going to whip up a batch this weekend.
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
I hope you enjoy it, Kathryn! Stay warm 🙂
Traci | Vanilla And Bean says
I’ll take this over canned any day! And you’ve used coconut milk… Ohhh, this sounds so delicious Nora! I’ll take it! We’re not digging out of the snow here, but it is frosty at night. Still plenty of room for soup in the house! Thank you, Nora! Delicious!
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
The coconut milk is a little different, I know, but I don’t think you can taste it! My husband is a little more sensitive to coconut flavor and said he tastes it but it doesn’t bother him, so that is a good sign 🙂
Well I thought our snow days were over but there is more coming down as we speak. It looks like soup is going to be on the menu all over the country for awhile longer! Brr!
Christina @ Bake with Christina says
That tomato soup looks so delicious and savory!! And I can’t believe it’s vegan too, that’s awesome! Pinned 🙂
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
It sure is, Christina! Though it’s actually a little sweet thanks to the tomatoes!
Annie @ Natural Sweet Recipes says
This looks so creamy and delicious!
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
Thanks, Annie!
Alessandra // the foodie teen says
Love, love, love cream of tomato soup! I’ve been making mine with almond milk but I’m definitely going to try coconut milk next!
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
Oh, almond milk sounds intriguing! I like the coconut milk because it adds some creaminess, but I’m going to try almond milk sometime too!
Taylor says
Um, I’m not going to lie – I kind of love that commercial – I think because it signals that it’s almost Christmas-time!
Anyway, back to the real issue at hand – this soup. It looks amazing and creamy and delicious. I admit that I don’t like tomato soup from a can…but homemade tomato soup? I can never turn down a bowl – this version looks so great!
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
Yeah, it’s definitely a classic. I love what it represents – I just personally never like the actual soup! It always boggles my mind when someone chooses the canned stuff over something this easy. I mean if you have a blender, you’re good to go!
Beverley Cheng says
mm this looks great, i love tomato soup! and with coconut milk sounds great. coconut anything is a winner!!
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
Thanks, Beverley! It sounds like you and I are definitely on the same page that coconut milk can do no wrong!
June Burns says
Oh man I could really go for some of this right now. That shot of the bread-dipping is making me drool 🙂 I love the use of coconut milk, works so well in creamy soups like this!
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
Thanks, June!
Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen says
What a pretty bowl of tomato soup! It is just the soup I need after receiving 6 inches of snow this past weekend here in Indianapolis. And, yes…who doesn’t remember that fabulous TV commercial by Campbell’s? Thanks for the trip down memory lane, Nora. 🙂 Pinning (and making), of course!
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
I totally sympathize with you on the snow, Stacy (I am not too far from you!) and can tell you from experience that this soup is great for morale! 🙂
Monica says
Yummm!!! How did you know that this soup is EXACTLY what I need in my life right now? Perfect for bread dipping; gosh, now I’m hungry (:
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
I guess I just read your mind now 😉
Harriet Emily says
Yum! This looks amazing, I love tomato soup, especially when it’s rich and creamy! This looks like the perfect recipe for me, I’ll have to try it!
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
Thanks, Harriet! I hope you enjoy it!
Sylvia says
Hi Nora!!
Thank you so much for this recipe! My husband does not like coconut at all and it went it unoticed with this receipe. I personally loved the creaminess the coconut milk gave this receipe. However, since I do not have a handheld blender and I was afraid the soup would be too hot going into the blender, I blended the tomatoes straight out of the can along with the sauté onion, spices and coconut milk. Then, I brought that to a boil and the result were amazing. I added basil.
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
Thank you so much for letting me know, Sylvia! Knowing your coconut-hating husband liked this is such a high complement! It’s great to know that blending before heating works just as well. And adding basil is a great idea! Hope this soup is keeping you warm. I don’t know where you are, but it’s certainly soup weather here! 🙂
Rachael says
Absolutely delicious! Even my 3 yr old loves it, will definitely be making again thank you so uh for the recipe!
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
It’s so great to know that this is kid-friendly! I’m thrilled you and your family enjoyed it, Rachel!
jenn says
made this while my husband is out of town this week because tomatoes give him heartburn. it is BETTER than Campbell’s, yet evokes the same food memory from my childhood. appreciated that the quantity made enough to share a large jar with a friend! this one’s a keeper for sure.
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
Better than Campbells? Hey’ll I’ll take it! (And agree!) Yes, it is definitely enough to share, or live off of for a couple of days. I’m thrilled this recipe satisfied you and your friend’s bellies!
Lori says
Getting ready to make my batch now! Can’t wait to try it! Lots of snow outside now and we need to stay warm and cozy!
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
Sounds like the perfect dish right now! I hope you and your family enjoyed it!
Jen says
Would light coconut milk work well here? It looks great and I love a good tomato soup. I’m not a vegan or vegetarian, but I aspire to stop eating meat and so I’m taking baby steps. Transitioning will be easier if I have an arsenal of tested recipes!
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
Yes, that should be fine! Your soup won’t be quite as thick as it otherwise would be with full fat coconut milk, but I doubt you’ll notice 🙂
Lynn says
I grew up on Campbells cream of tomato soup full of glutinous crackers and made with milk. Now at 51, just found out I am allergic to dairy, both proteins and I miss my tomato soup. I was shocked to see that campbells had gluten among many other icky things.
I am super picky though and can’t stand any tomato in pieces or chunks. Could I substitute tomato sauce instead and any idea how much? I am weird that way, love ketchup, and salsa but as soon as I get i home I run it through the food processor to get rid of the chunks. Love pizza, italian food etc, but no tomato chunks or clots, what i like to call them, lol!
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
Hi Lynn! I know exactly what you mean. I’m not the biggest fan of tomato chunks either! I think this soup will be right up your alley though, since it calls for crushed tomatoes (basically a tomato puree; you may want to look for the can labeled tomato puree instead, if you can find them. Sometimes they are interchangeable which is why I used crushed tomatoes) and then you puree them once more in the blender before serving. It’s very smooth and chunk-less! I wouldn’t use tomato sauce because there are often lots of other flavors added to canned or jarred tomato sauce that may not work with this recipe.
Katie says
I made this soup today — it was perfect, however I would let it sit another hour or so (before heating it back up again) to let the flavors meld a bit more. It really is excellent and you cannot taste the coconut at all. I used light coconut milk.
I also added a huge handful of basil (chiffonade).
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
Yes, you can definitely give it a little more time for the flavors to meld! I usually make this as a last minute dinner idea, so I make it quickly 🙂
Rachel Lestina says
How many servings is this recipe?
LG says
This soup turned out sweet because of the coconut milk. Definitely not a fan of this recipe. Maybe try a different ingredient instead of the milk?
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
Did you use unsweetened coconut milk? It needs to be unsweetened.
Chris Macdonald says
Made this tonight! So delicious…
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
Thanks, Chris!
Asia says
Hi Nora!
It has been 6 months since the first time I tried your recipe. I have never been a fan of canned tomato soup, but one day I was craving tomato soup and grilled cheese, so I searched for a simple tomato soup recipe and came across this gem!
I was so impressed that I had to share it with my family! My mom and I are obsessed! My kids too! My husband not so much which I am thankful for because I don’t have to share it! Haha my mom and I double the batches and freeze them and when our stash gets low we get nervous and have to make more hahaha
Anyways I’m cooking a batch at this moment to bring on our yearly annual family camping trip and thought I should thank you 🙂 this will always be in our family <3
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
Thank you so much!! I love that this recipe works so well for you and your family (except your husband, but he’s missing out ;))! Enjoy your camping trip!