Roasted Tomato Soup With Crispy Croutons (Printable Version)

Vibrant, velvety soup with caramelized tomatoes and golden homemade croutons for a comforting meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Roasted Tomato Soup

01 - 3.3 lbs ripe tomatoes, halved
02 - 1 large onion, quartered
03 - 4 cloves garlic, peeled
04 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
05 - 1 teaspoon salt
06 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
07 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
08 - 2 cups vegetable broth
09 - 1 tablespoon tomato paste
10 - 1 teaspoon sugar, optional
11 - ¼ cup heavy cream or coconut cream, optional

→ Crispy Croutons

12 - 4 thick slices day-old bread, cut into ¾ inch cubes
13 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
14 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
15 - ¼ teaspoon salt
16 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

# Directions:

01 - Set oven to 400°F and allow to reach full temperature.
02 - Arrange halved tomatoes, onion quarters, and garlic cloves on a large baking tray. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil, sprinkle with salt, pepper, and thyme. Toss gently to coat evenly.
03 - Roast for 30 to 35 minutes until tomatoes are caramelized and onions are soft.
04 - While vegetables roast, toss bread cubes with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Spread on a lined baking sheet and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring once, until golden and crisp. Set aside.
05 - Transfer roasted tomatoes, onion, and garlic to a large saucepan. Add vegetable broth, tomato paste, and sugar if using. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and maintain for 10 minutes.
06 - Use an immersion blender to purée the soup until smooth, or transfer in batches to a standard blender. Stir in heavy cream or coconut cream if desired. Adjust seasoning to taste.
07 - Ladle hot soup into bowls and top generously with crispy croutons. Serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Intense Flavor: Roasting the vegetables caramelizes their natural sugars for a rich, sweet base.
  • Perfect Texture: The contrast between the smooth, creamy soup and the crunchy, homemade croutons is addictive.
  • Highly Customizable: It is naturally vegetarian and can be made vegan or dairy-free with one simple swap.
02 -
  • Blender Safety: If using a standard upright blender, blend in small batches and hold the lid down with a towel to prevent heat-related accidents.
  • Bread Choice: Sourdough or day-old crusty bread provides the best crunch and absorbs the flavors perfectly.
  • Roast Level: Don't be afraid if the tomato skins look slightly charred; that's where the best smoky flavor comes from.
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