You're 3 Ingredients Away From Homemade Tomato Soup

While the colder months are usually when soups thrive as comfort foods, you can always rely on a bowl of homemade tomato soup to lift your spirits. All you need to satiate your craving is a can of whole peeled tomatoes, low-sodium chicken broth, and heavy cream. Feel free to choose between vine-ripened or plum tomato varieties to suit your flavor preferences (we suggest you steer clear of Kroger canned tomatoes, though). Whichever variety of canned tomatoes you settle on, keep in mind that a 28-ounce can will yield enough soup for around four servings.

These three ingredients come together in about 20 minutes to make a quick, flavorful, and comforting meal. While your tomatoes cook over medium heat, add 1 ¾ cups of the chicken broth. Stir every now and then as your broth reaches a gentle simmer. After about 15 minutes, use an immersion blender to mix the soup until it reaches a smooth consistency. Lastly, return the mixture to low heat and slowly stir in ¾ cup of heavy cream for a silky finish. About two minutes later, your tomato soup will be ready to serve — just be careful to keep the heat low so the cream doesn't curdle.

There is no denying that simple recipes often lead to immensely flavorful food, but don't feel pressured to limit yourself to just these three ingredients when making your tomato soup. One of the benefits of using a low-sodium chicken broth is that the salt won't overpower the other flavors, creating space for you to incorporate more seasonings into the soup.

Use that extra room for flavor to find the perfect combination of ingredients to suit your taste. Whether it's a touch of olive oil or a grind of black pepper for a subtle spice or a few basil leaves for an aromatic kick, the rich creaminess at the base of the soup will tie together any extras you add.

Once you have crafted the most comforting and delicious tomato soup you can, don't make the mistake of serving it alone; consider pairing your bowl with buttered toast or a protein-rich salad. A gooey grilled cheese with crispy, toasted bread is another perfect side for this simple tomato soup recipe — upgrade it with coconut oil or hot honey for an unforgettable bite.