Homemade Roasted Cherry Tomato Soup: Creamy, Flavorful, and Effortlessly Easy

This incredibly easy, yet profoundly fresh and flavorful recipe for Roasted Cherry Tomato Soup is destined to become a staple in your kitchen. Featuring naturally sweet roasted cherry tomatoes, aromatic garlic, savory red onion, and a luxuriously smooth and creamy texture, this delicious soup is the quintessential way to celebrate the peak of tomato season. It’s a dish that captures the vibrant essence of summer in every comforting spoonful, offering a delightful balance of rustic charm and refined taste.

Whether you find yourself overloaded with an abundance of cherry tomatoes bursting from your backyard vegetable garden, or you simply couldn’t resist a fantastic deal at the local farmers market, this recipe offers the perfect and most delicious solution to utilize them. Instead of letting those beautiful gems go to waste, transform them into a culinary masterpiece that will impress family and friends alike. This method not only preserves their fresh taste but also elevates their natural sweetness through the roasting process.

Ingredients You’ll Need for This Perfect Soup

Crafting this incredible Roasted Cherry Tomato Soup requires only a handful of fresh, high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in building the layers of flavor that make this soup truly exceptional. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need to gather:

• Tomatoes: The star of the show! I highly recommend using fresh cherry tomatoes (also frequently known as grape tomatoes) for roasting. Their naturally thin skins and minimal seed content make them ideal for a silky-smooth soup with virtually zero pre-preparation required. If cherry tomatoes are not available, or you prefer, you can use full-sized tomatoes, provided they are properly skinned, cored, seeded, and chopped into uniform pieces.
• Olive Oil: A good quality extra virgin olive oil is essential. It not only imparts a rich, fruity flavor to the vegetables but also helps the tomatoes, onion, and garlic roast beautifully without sticking or burning, ensuring an even caramelization.
• Garlic: You’ll need approximately 10 cloves of fresh garlic. While I prefer to peel mine beforehand for ease of blending, an alternative method is to roast an entire head of garlic and then simply squeeze out the softened, sweet cloves after roasting. Both methods yield wonderfully tender and aromatic garlic.
• Red Onion (or Shallot): A single small red onion, peeled and quartered, is all it takes. The red onion contributes a lovely sweetness and depth of flavor when roasted. Shallots can be used as a milder, more delicate alternative if preferred.
• Basil: Fresh herbs truly elevate this soup, and absolutely nothing pairs better with the vibrant flavor of tomato than fresh basil leaves. Its sweet, peppery notes complement the roasted tomatoes perfectly. Don’t skimp on this!
• Broth: You have a choice here – either chicken broth or vegetable broth will work wonderfully for this recipe. Opt for low-sodium varieties to better control the final seasoning. In a pinch, even water can be used, though broth will provide a richer base.
• Salt & Pepper: Proper seasoning is key to bringing out the best in the vegetables. Season the tomatoes, onion, and garlic generously with both salt and freshly cracked black pepper before roasting. I highly recommend using a good quality flaky sea salt, like Maldon, for its superior taste and texture, but any fine sea salt will do. Remember to taste the soup at the end and adjust the salt and pepper to your personal preference.
• Parmesan (for Garnish; Optional): Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (or Parmigiano Reggiano) is an optional but highly recommended garnish. It adds a delightful salty, umami kick that perfectly complements the sweetness of the tomatoes.

How to Make Roasted Cherry Tomato Soup: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

Creating this incredibly delicious and creamy roasted tomato soup is surprisingly straightforward. With just a handful of simple ingredients and about 35-40 minutes of passive oven time, you can enjoy a comforting, gourmet-quality meal with minimal active effort on your part. The oven does most of the heavy lifting, concentrating the flavors beautifully.

1. Prep the Tomatoes and Aromatics. Begin by washing and thoroughly drying your cherry tomatoes. Add these vibrant little globes to a medium-sized baking dish (a 9×9″ or 7.5×10″ dish works perfectly, or even a Dutch oven for a one-pot solution). Pour in ¼ cup of good quality olive oil, then stir everything well to ensure the tomatoes are evenly coated. Season generously with 1 ½ teaspoons of salt and a good amount of freshly cracked black pepper. Finally, nestle in 10 peeled garlic cloves and 1 red onion, which you’ve peeled and sliced into quarters, amongst the tomatoes. This ensures all ingredients roast evenly and soak up the delicious flavors.
2. Roast to Perfection. Place your prepared baking dish into an oven that has been preheated to a hot 425ºF (218ºC). Roast the vegetables for approximately 35 minutes, or until the cherry tomatoes have visibly softened, begun to blister, and their skins are slightly browned and burst open. For an extra layer of caramelized flavor and a slightly smoky char, you can carefully switch the oven to “broil” for an additional 2-3 minutes. During this broiling step, it is crucial to watch the dish very closely to prevent any burning, as things can go from perfectly charred to burnt very quickly.
3. Puree Until Smooth. Once roasted, carefully transfer the hot roasted tomatoes, garlic, red onion, and all the accumulated flavorful juices from the baking dish to a large and deep heatproof bowl or directly into a saucepan. Using an immersion blender, carefully puree the mixture until it reaches a wonderfully smooth and consistent texture.
   • Important Note: If you do not own an immersion blender, do not despair! You can cool the roasted vegetables completely to room temperature first, then safely puree them in a standard blender or a food processor. Adding hot liquids to these appliances can be dangerous due to steam buildup. Alternatively, for a slightly rustic texture, you could process the cooled mixture through a food mill using a “coarse” blade attachment.
4. Add Broth and Cream (Optional). Pour the perfectly pureed tomato base into a medium saucepan. Stir in 1 cup of either chicken broth or vegetable broth, depending on your dietary preference. For an extra rich and creamy soup, also add ⅓ cup of heavy cream; this step is entirely optional but significantly enhances the luxuriousness. Stir all ingredients together thoroughly and warm the soup over medium heat until it is steamy and heated through, about 3-4 minutes. Taste the soup at this stage and adjust the salt and pepper to achieve your desired flavor profile.
5. Finish with Fresh Basil and Serve. Just before serving, sprinkle in ⅓ cup of freshly chopped basil leaves. Stir them in gently to incorporate their fragrant aroma and vibrant color. Serve your homemade roasted cherry tomato soup immediately, garnished with a final flourish of fresh cracked black pepper and, if desired, a generous grating of Parmesan cheese. Enjoy this comforting and flavorful masterpiece!

Storing Leftovers and Freezing Your Tomato Soup

This Roasted Cherry Tomato Soup is so delicious, you might not have many leftovers! But if you do, it stores beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep or quick future meals.

• To store leftover soup, simply transfer it to an airtight container.
• Keep it refrigerated for up to 5 days.
• Reheat individual portions in the microwave or gently warm on the stovetop until heated throughout.
• For longer storage, this soup freezes exceptionally well for up to 3 months.

Can you freeze tomato soup? Absolutely!

Good news for meal preppers: tomato soup can indeed be frozen! And since this recipe contains only a minimal amount of dairy (and is entirely dairy-free if you omit the cream), it actually freezes very well with little to no separation upon thawing. This makes it an ideal candidate for batch cooking.

• Before freezing, allow the soup to cool completely to room temperature, or chill it thoroughly in the refrigerator first. This prevents ice crystals from forming and maintains the soup’s texture.
• Transfer the cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, heavy-duty freezer bags, or silicone trays specifically designed for freezing liquids (such as Souper Cubes, which create perfect single-serving blocks).
• Label the containers with the date and freeze for up to 3 months for optimal freshness and flavor.
• When you’re ready to enjoy it, you can reheat the soup directly from frozen (simply place the frozen block into a saucepan with a splash of water or broth) or after thawing it in the refrigerator overnight. Warm gently in the microwave or on the stovetop until piping hot.

Expert Tips for the Most Delicious Roasted Cherry Tomato Soup

Achieving a truly outstanding batch of Roasted Cherry Tomato Soup is simple when you keep a few key tips in mind. These insights will help you maximize flavor and streamline your cooking process, ensuring a perfect bowl every time:

• Consider a One-Pot Wonder. For ultimate convenience and an easier cleanup, consider using a Dutch oven for this recipe. You can roast all the vegetables directly in your Dutch oven, then transfer them to the stovetop, puree the mixture with an immersion blender, and finish preparing the soup in the very same pot. This significantly reduces the number of dishes and produces results that are every bit as delicious!
• Season to Taste – It’s Crucial! The importance of tasting and adjusting your seasoning cannot be overstated. After you’ve blended the soup and added the broth and cream, take a moment to taste it. If you find the flavor seems a bit “flat” or lacking, it almost always means you need a touch more salt. Add salt incrementally, stirring well after each addition, and tasting until the flavors truly pop and it’s perfect to your palate. For those who enjoy a little warmth, a few pinches of red pepper flakes can add a lovely subtle kick.
• Embrace “Bougie” Salt. While standard sea salt works perfectly fine and will yield a delicious soup, I’ve found that using a high-quality flaky salt, like Maldon, truly makes a noticeable difference in the final flavor and adds a subtle textural element. Its pure, clean saltiness elevates the dish. If you happen to have some on hand, this is definitely the recipe to use it in! If not, consider picking some up as a special treat for your pantry.
• Prioritize Fresh, In-Season Ingredients. The incredible depth of flavor in this creamy tomato soup stems primarily from the quality of your fresh ingredients: the juicy cherry tomatoes, fragrant basil, and sweet roasted garlic. Aim to use the best quality produce you can find. If possible, opt for in-season tomatoes; garden-fresh or those from a local farmers market will always outperform grocery store tomatoes in terms of taste and vibrancy. The difference is truly remarkable and will shine through in your finished soup.

Substitutions and Creative Variations

This Roasted Cherry Tomato Soup recipe is wonderfully flexible and can be easily adapted to suit various preferences, dietary needs, or what you have on hand in your pantry. Don’t hesitate to experiment with these simple substitutions and creative variations:

Using Regular Tomatoes: While cherry tomatoes are ideal for this recipe due to their low moisture and minimal seeds, you can certainly make this soup with larger, regular tomatoes. If you do, I recommend slicing them into approximately 1 ½-inch chunks to ensure even roasting. Choose varieties that are known for having fewer seeds, or take the extra step to remove the seeds before slicing and measuring. Paste tomatoes like Roma, San Marzano, or Amish Paste are excellent choices for their meaty texture and rich flavor. You can also blanch them to easily remove the peels if desired, or simply strain the soup after blending to achieve a smoother consistency.

Forgoing the Cream: If you prefer a lighter soup, or are simply out of heavy cream, this recipe is still absolutely delicious without it! Just leave out the heavy cream entirely. The natural sweetness and richness from the roasted vegetables provide plenty of body and flavor on their own. The soup will still be wonderfully smooth and satisfying.

Making it Vegan and Dairy-Free: It’s incredibly easy to adapt this recipe for a vegan or dairy-free diet. Simply swap the chicken broth for your favorite vegetable broth. As mentioned, you can completely omit the heavy cream. If you still desire that luxurious, creamy texture without dairy, there are excellent alternatives: try adding canned full-fat coconut milk (ensure it’s unsweetened for savory dishes) or blend in a can of drained and rinsed white beans (like cannellini beans) with the roasted vegetables. These options provide a wonderful richness and body.

Scaling Up for a Larger Batch: As written, this recipe yields a relatively small batch, producing about 4 cups of soup, which is perfect for a light lunch or a side dish for a couple of people. If you’re planning to feed a larger family, want to have plenty of leftovers, or intend to freeze some for future enjoyment, I highly recommend doubling or even tripling the recipe. For larger quantities, a 9×13-inch (23 x 33 cm) baking dish or a deep, rimmed baking sheet will comfortably accommodate the increased volume of vegetables for roasting.

Blending Without a Stick Blender: An immersion blender (also known as a stick blender) makes quick and easy work of blending hot liquids directly in the pot. However, not everyone has one! If you don’t own an immersion blender, don’t worry. Simply allow the roasted vegetables and their juices to cool down to room temperature. Once cooled, transfer them to a standard blender or food processor and blend until silky smooth. It’s crucial to cool hot liquids before blending in these appliances to prevent steam buildup and potential injury. After blending, pour the pureed mixture into a saucepan and heat it gently along with the broth and heavy cream until warmed throughout. As another option, a food mill with a “coarse” blade attachment can also be used for a slightly less smooth, more rustic texture.

Creative Variation: Roasted Tomato Pasta Sauce

Beyond being a fantastic soup, this roasted tomato base is incredibly versatile! I also experimented with this recipe as a pasta sauce, and the results were absolutely delightful and packed with rich, concentrated tomato flavor.

To transform your roasted cherry tomato base into a luscious pasta sauce, simply omit the chicken broth. Instead, when you’re combining the pureed tomatoes, add about 2-3 tablespoons of reserved pasta water (the starchy water from cooking your pasta is liquid gold for sauces!). This starchy water helps to create a beautiful, emulsified sauce that clings wonderfully to the pasta. Toss the tomato sauce with about 8 ounces (dry weight) of your favorite cooked pasta. We then added plenty of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and found it to be a truly delicious and incredibly easy weeknight meal!