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This single serving creamy tomato soup is rich, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make. Made with simple pantry staples and ready in just 30 minutes, it’s the perfect comforting meal for lunch or dinner. Smooth, creamy, and full of vibrant tomato flavor, this soup is as satisfying as it is delicious.
Looking for more quick and flavorful single serving soup recipes? Try our hearty single serve lasagna soup, rich potato soup recipe for 1, classic easy French onion soup, or protein-packed white bean soup recipe. Each recipe is easy to make and full of delicious flavor!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Pantry-Friendly: This single serving tomato soup recipe calls for simple ingredients you likely already have on hand.
- Fast and Easy: Ready in just 30 minutes—perfect for a quick meal.
- Rich and Velvety: A splash of cream transforms this into an indulgent tomato soup.
- Adaptable: Easily make it vegan or gluten-free with a few simple swaps.
- Scalable: Double the recipe effortlessly if you need extra servings.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this small batch creamy tomato soup recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Butter: Use salted butter for sautéing onions and garlic. For a vegan option, substitute with olive oil.
- Onions and Garlic: These essentials form the flavorful base of the soup, adding depth to every bite.
- Smoked Paprika: Adds a subtle smoky flavor. If unavailable, regular or sweet paprika works well.
- Dried Basil: Robust and ideal for cooking. Prefer fresh basil? Add it just before blending to avoid bitterness.
- Chili Powder: Provides gentle warmth without overpowering heat, complementing the soup’s creamy texture.
- Salt: Use 1/4 teaspoon of kosher salt, or 1/8 teaspoon of table salt, adjusting to taste as needed.
- Tomatoes: A 14- or 15-ounce can of diced, whole, or crushed tomatoes is perfect. Use leftover tomatoes in recipes like Chicken Tacos, Spanish Rice, or Chicken Paprika.
- Broth: Low-sodium chicken broth allows better control of salt. Use vegetable broth for a vegan option. Leftovers work well in Chicken Divan or a Mushroom Casserole.
- Honey: Balances the tomatoes’ natural acidity and adds a touch of sweetness. Maple syrup, agave, or sugar can be used for a vegan substitute. Extra honey is great for Pickled Onions or Chickpea Curry.
- Heavy Cream: Creates a velvety texture. Alternatives like whole milk or half-and-half yield a lighter soup. For a vegan option, use full-fat canned coconut milk. Use leftover cream in Chicken Tikka Masala, Fettuccine Alfredo, or a small German Chocolate Cake!
Recipe Variations
- Bacon Addition: Cook 1-2 strips of bacon in the soup pot, then set them aside. Use the rendered bacon grease instead of butter for sautéing the onions and garlic.
- Vegetarian Option: Substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a vegetarian tomato soup.
- Vegan Version: Use vegetable broth, full-fat canned coconut milk instead of cream, olive oil in place of butter, and maple syrup or sugar instead of honey.
- Add Vegetables: Stir in chopped carrots, broccoli, or cauliflower for a heartier, nutrient-packed soup. Let them simmer until tender.
- Homemade Croutons: Top your creamy tomato soup with crunchy homemade croutons for added texture and flavor.
- Shakshuka-Inspired: After puréeing, crack an egg into the soup and let it simmer, covered, for 5-8 minutes. Skip the cream and finish with crumbled feta.
How To Make Creamy Tomato Soup
These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to make a single serving of creamy tomato soup. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Melt butter: In a 2-quart pot over medium heat, melt the butter.
- Cook onions: Add the chopped onions and sauté, stirring frequently, until soft and translucent, about 1 minute.
- Add seasonings: Stir in the garlic, smoked paprika, dried basil, chili powder, and salt. Cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently.
- Add tomatoes and broth: Pour in the canned tomatoes and broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add honey: Stir in the honey to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
- Blend the soup: Use an immersion blender directly in the pot or transfer the soup to a stand blender. Blend until smooth or to your preferred consistency.
- Add cream: Return the soup to the pot and stir in the heavy cream.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into a bowl, garnish with shredded or grated Parmesan cheese if desired, and enjoy immediately.
Expert Tips
- Prepare Ahead: Read through the entire recipe and ingredient notes before you begin. Having everything prepped ensures a smoother and quicker cooking experience.
- Choose Canned Tomatoes: Use canned tomatoes, as they’re preserved at their peak ripeness, guaranteeing a rich and flavorful soup with minimal effort.
- Control Salt Levels: Use low-sodium broth for better control over the soup’s saltiness. If using regular broth, reduce added salt and adjust seasoning after tasting.
- Top It Off: Garnish your soup with croutons, fresh herbs, toasted nuts, a dollop of sour cream, or extra shredded cheese to add flavor and texture.
Serving Suggestions
Enhance your creamy tomato soup with these simple and flavorful accompaniments:
- Crusty Bread: Pair your soup with a slice of warm easy small loaf French bread or our butter swim biscuits recipe, perfect for soaking up every last drop.
- Grilled Cheese Sandwich: Classic and comforting, a grilled cheese sandwich is a timeless match. Blend cheddar and Gruyère for a melty, flavorful complement.
- Fresh Herb Garnish: Elevate the aesthetics and taste by sprinkling some freshly chopped basil, chives, or parsley over your soup. This not only adds color but also introduces a burst of fresh flavor to each spoonful.
- Parmesan Crisps: Top your soup with Parmesan crisps for a crunchy, cheesy upgrade that’s easy to make or buy.
- Veggie Sticks: Balance the richness with a side of fresh cucumber, bell pepper, or carrot sticks for a refreshing contrast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, double the amounts of each ingredient and follow the same cooking instructions.
Keep your leftover creamy tomato soup fresh by sealing it in an airtight container and storing it in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Yes, use a potato masher or a fork to break down the tomatoes. The texture will be chunkier, but it’s still delicious.
If the soup is too thick, add a splash of broth or water to reach your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, let it simmer uncovered for a few minutes to reduce and thicken.
More Single Serving Soup Recipes To Try
If you love the ease and flavor of single serving dishes, don’t stop at tomato soup! Explore our collection of single serving soup recipes, from comforting classics to global favorites, perfect for one or for scaling up when needed. A few of our most popular and favorite soups are listed below for you to try.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried this single serve creamy tomato soup recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
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Creamy Tomato Soup For One
Equipment
- Immersion blender or stand blender
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- ¼ cup chopped onions
- 1 clove garlic -minced
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- ½ cup low sodium chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- Optional, for topping: grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a 2-quart pot over medium heat, melt the butter.
- Add the chopped onions and sauté, stirring frequently, until soft and translucent, about 1 minute.
- Stir in the garlic, smoked paprika, dried basil, chili powder, and salt. Cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently.
- Pour in the canned tomatoes and broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the honey to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
- Use an immersion blender directly in the pot or transfer the soup to a stand blender. Blend until smooth or to your preferred consistency.
- Return the soup to the pot and stir in the heavy cream.
- Ladle the soup into a bowl, garnish with shredded or grated Parmesan cheese if desired, and enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Prepare Ahead: Read through the entire recipe and ingredient notes before you begin. Having everything prepped ensures a smoother and quicker cooking experience.
- Choose Canned Tomatoes: Use canned tomatoes, as they’re preserved at their peak ripeness, guaranteeing a rich and flavorful soup with minimal effort.
- Control Salt Levels: Use low-sodium broth for better control over the soup’s saltiness. If using regular broth, reduce added salt and adjust seasoning after tasting.
- Top It Off: Garnish your soup with croutons, fresh herbs, toasted nuts, a dollop of sour cream, or extra shredded cheese to add flavor and texture.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
This tomato soup is delicious. I added 4 total T of cream. I’ve given your site to many people even the Lyft driver!!
Thank you so much!!
My favorite soup recipe. I have given your site to so many friends.
Thank you so much!
This soup was so yummy! I made some of the tortilla chips to go with it .So much better than the can soup. I sprinkled parmesan cheese on both
I’m so happy you enjoyed the soup!
What a great recipe! I had Better than Bouillon to make the 1/2 c of chicken broth. Made it exactly as Joanie described except I added cheese tortellini at the end and split the soup with my hubby.
I made the tomato soup using some of my home canned tomatoes and it is delicious. I used a pinch of red pepper flakes for a hint of spice. This will definitely be a staple in our house.
Delicious loved it!
Good recipe.