5 Ways to Dress Up Tomato Soup Recipe (2024)

Just because your tomato soup is coming from a can, doesn’t mean it can’t have a bit of zing! Check out these 5 ways to dress that soup up for a total tomato soup makeover!

Time for another Fashion Friday, and today we’re introducing our first Food Makeover. Sounds fun, eh?

Today I wanted to throw out a few quick tips to help in the canned soup aisle – namely,with the soup of the tomato variety.

I am all for the straight up Campbell’s Tomato Soup, no frills involved, especially on a cold day. Of course, I need my handy grilled cheese to accompany. However, after visiting Zupa’s more times than I can count, I received a little inspiration when I came across their Tomato Basil Soup. I thought, hey, even when I’m in a rush, I can pull these little tricks off to make my already good canned soup tastetotally gourmet!

Let’s get started!

1)Cream or Milk

Campbell’s even clues you in on this one – on the side of the can, it says that you can substitute the can of water for milk. Voila! Creamy goodness. However, you will notice that the soup may separate a little bit. A higher fat content in your dairy will help mitigate this. What I’ve realized that I prefer is to go water, and then just add a couple tablespoons of heavy cream to give it a nice creamaliciousfinish (don’t do full cream, or even half at that – yeesh! A little too rich – and don’t ask me how I know – haha.)

2) Basil (or other zesty spices)

The heavenly match of tomato and basil! It’s so fantastic. If you are using dried, put it in while the soup is warming to help release the flavors. I love using the Lighthouse freeze-dried stuff. If you are using fresh, adding right at the end helps release the best flavor. You can just do a rough tear of the leaves or a chiffonade. I also added me a little bit of Lighthouse Oregano this time as well.

3)Orzo Pasta

Zupa’s was genius with this one. Basically they have “add-ins” that you can throw in, and these mini little diamond pastas, well they are fabulous. I just cook them up per their package instructions in a tiny little pan at the same time the soup is warming up. Then after I drain them, I toss in a little olive oil and throw in a bowl so each person can serve up what they want.

4) Sharp Cheddar

I’m assuming this one is also a no-brainer since we all know grilled cheese and tomato soup rock one’s world! But how about just grating some delicious cheddar right into the soup? Make it sharp though! In fact, maybe I’m just a cheese snob but I don’t even buy cheddar unless it’s sharp. No, I take that back. I also buy extra sharp. Tillamook is my ultimate fav!If you are really feeling the urge, go ahead and buy the smoked cheddar to give it even more kick.

5) More Tomato!

Say what? Yes, give that soup a little freshness by throwing in more tomato. Make sure it’s pulverized though! I just core, quickly peel off as much of the skin as I can with a paring knife (a little left won’t hurt anything), and then throw the whole tomato into my Blendtec twister jar which does a top-notch job. And I would definitely recommend a Roma variety (which is meatier and less acidic).This just gives the soup a fresher feel without all of the work of a whole tomato soup from scratch.

Well, there you go folks. Try one, try all. They are fabulous. And of course, don’t forget to drizzle a little olive oil on top for good measure, as well as a couple grinds of salt and pepper.

I hope you enjoyed this little “food makeover”. Tell us what other foods need a facelift! And share your food makeovers with us on Instagram by tagging @foodapparel #foodapparel #foodmakeover.

The following two tabs change content below.

  • Bio
  • Latest Posts

5 Ways to Dress Up Tomato Soup Recipe (11)

Christina | Food Apparel

I'm Christina and I'm a self-proclaimed foodie and chocoholic! I am a real estate broker by trade. I have a wonderful husband, 3 girls 4 and under (crazy!!!) and a hyper dog. Want to know my quirks? Go here for a little Q&A.

5 Ways to Dress Up Tomato Soup Recipe (12)

Latest posts by Christina | Food Apparel (see all)

  • HOW TO DRESS UP YOUR BLACK BEANS: 5 WAYS - July 24, 2017
  • Butternut Squash Risotto with Sage and Sausage Recipe - November 22, 2016
  • Chewy Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe - November 12, 2015
5 Ways to Dress Up Tomato Soup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What can I add to tomato soup to make it better? ›

10 Simple Ingredients to Add to Tomato Soup
  1. 1) Fresh Rosemary. Kicking off the list is the simplest way to jazz up your tomato soup – fresh herbs. ...
  2. 2) Sauteed Onions. ...
  3. 3) Crispy Bacon. ...
  4. 4) Cream. ...
  5. 5) Chutney. ...
  6. 6) Melted Cheese. ...
  7. 7) Tinned Anchovies. ...
  8. 8) Toasted Pine Nuts.
Mar 21, 2022

How do you dress up soup? ›

Add swirls of pesto, chili crisp, hot sauce, sour cream, or salted yogurt. Garnish your bowl with fried shallots, garlic chips, croutons, or a mish-mash of toasted seeds. Douse tender, fresh herbs—like cilantro, dill, parsley, or basil—in good-quality olive oil and vinegar and pile them on top.

How to jazz up tomato soup in a can? ›

Use Herbs and Seasonings

Add chopped fresh basil or parsley at the end of cooking to bring out that rich tomato flavor. Turn to your pantry for seasonings like fresh cracked black pepper, Italian seasoning or oregano, stirring them in while the soup is still cooking.

How to make tomato soup less bland? ›

5 Things We Do for Better Tomato Soup
  1. Add herbs. This probably isn't a surprise, as basil and tomatoes are a delicious duo. ...
  2. Stir in butter, cream, or coconut milk. ...
  3. Use tomato paste for intensity. ...
  4. Use canned tomatoes for consistency. ...
  5. Don't forget a drizzle before serving.
Oct 16, 2016

How to level up canned tomato soup? ›

Mix-ins and additions
  1. Top the finished bowls off with a bit of fresh grated parmesan and fresh basil leaves.
  2. Add about ½ can of diced tomatoes for a chunkier soup.
  3. Try all half and half instead of half cream and half milk.
  4. Add a bit of crushed red pepper flakes for some kick.
Jan 27, 2023

What enhances the flavor of tomatoes? ›

Yes, there are other ways to make your tomatoes taste even better and increase the acidity. There is lemon, vinegar, or my personal favorite, balsamic. Just imagine a tomato bruschetta with a balsamic vinaigrette drizzled on top. Yummy!

How to make can soup taste better? ›

Go green: Add some spinach or chopped kale or pesto. Get zesty: A squirt of lemon juice or zest could brighten up an otherwise flat soup. Starchy things: Homemade croutons, crushed tortilla chips, or oyster crackers. Clean out the fridge: got cooked beans or rice, a dollop of sour cream, or a splash of heavy cream?

How do you make soup look good? ›

Add cooked ingredients to the top of your soup.

If you don't have raw ingredients then some cooked ingredients work too. Good cooked ingredients include, seafood especially unpeeled prawns and mussels in their shells, pasta in a chunky soup, meat like chorizo and chicken, toasted bread with melted cheese, croutons etc.

How to make tomato soup thicker? ›

Add flour or cornflour

Put a tablespoon of either into a small bowl and stir in 2-3 tbsp of the soup until you have a smooth mixture. Stir this back into the soup and bring it to a simmer. Cook for a few minutes to allow the starch granules to burst to thicken, and to cook out any flour flavour.

How do you make bad tomato soup taste better? ›

Take a can of Campbell's Tomato Soup and empty it into a saucepan. Measure half a can of milk using the soup can, and whisk it into the soup in the pan. Add a dash of Worcestershire sauce, a dash of hot sauce, and three or four grinds of black pepper. Heat until it is just simmering, then turn the heat off.

How do you tone down tomato soup? ›

A small pinch of baking soda can help balance the pH levels and reduce the overall acidity. This can result in a milder and less tangy flavor, making the soup taste better! Also, if you want a tomato cream soup- it'll help prevent the milk from curdling when added!

What can I add to tomato soup to make it less spicy? ›

Sweet Defeats Heat

Adding something sweet to a too-spicy dish is another great way to reduce spiciness. A sprinkle of sugar or honey should do the trick. Or add a touch of sweet ketchup. If it's a tomato-based sauce, stir in a little more tomato sauce and maybe a touch of sugar.

Why do you put baking soda in tomato soup? ›

- Adding baking soda to tomato soup and tomato sauces helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes. Tomato flavors really shine, and your sauce or soup will not curdle if you add milk. - Adding ¼ teaspoon of baking soda to 1 cup of tomato sauce or soup will make flavors sparkle and become less acidic.

Why does my homemade tomato soup taste bitter? ›

That bitterness could be acid from the tomatoes and one way people typically fix that is by adding a small amount of sugar.

How to season a soup? ›

"Ground paprika, turmeric, nutmeg, ground ginger, and other powdered spices add a touch of color and spiciness to broths," she says. As a general rule, use fresh herbs at or near the end of cooking and dried herbs and spices early on. This helps you get the flavors you're looking for in the right balance.

What can I add to my soup to make it tastier? ›

"Ground paprika, turmeric, nutmeg, ground ginger, and other powdered spices add a touch of color and spiciness to broths," she says. As a general rule, use fresh herbs at or near the end of cooking and dried herbs and spices early on. This helps you get the flavors you're looking for in the right balance.

How to make a thicker tomato soup? ›

Add flour or cornflour

Put a tablespoon of either into a small bowl and stir in 2-3 tbsp of the soup until you have a smooth mixture. Stir this back into the soup and bring it to a simmer. Cook for a few minutes to allow the starch granules to burst to thicken, and to cook out any flour flavour.

Is tomato soup better with milk or water? ›

When made with milk, tomato soup should be rich and creamy. Not all soups are created equal. A soup made with milk is usually richer and more luxurious than one made with just water or stock. This addition helps make the soup feel more comforting.

How do you balance tomato flavor in soup? ›

How To Cut The Acidity In Tomato Soup
  1. Add a pinch of sugar. ...
  2. Balance with dairy products. ...
  3. Try a dash of vinegar. ...
  4. Incorporate roasted vegetables. ...
  5. Use low-acid tomatoes. ...
  6. Balance with herbs and spices. ...
  7. Cook with a bit of baking soda.
Mar 5, 2024

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Patricia Veum II

Last Updated:

Views: 5641

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (64 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Patricia Veum II

Birthday: 1994-12-16

Address: 2064 Little Summit, Goldieton, MS 97651-0862

Phone: +6873952696715

Job: Principal Officer

Hobby: Rafting, Cabaret, Candle making, Jigsaw puzzles, Inline skating, Magic, Graffiti

Introduction: My name is Patricia Veum II, I am a vast, combative, smiling, famous, inexpensive, zealous, sparkling person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.