Roasted Red Pepper Tomato Soup

This post has been updated for recipe, photos and content since it’s original publication in 2013.

If you have fond memories of cream of tomato soup from your childhood, stick around. This silky smooth, homemade roasted red pepper and tomato soup is a grown up version of that schoolday classic.  My classic tomato pepper soup is easy to make in just over an hour (faster if you’re using store-bought roasted peppers) and it’s LOADED with fresh veg. If you want healthy tomato soup recipes, stop here. You’ve found it.

Look, getting bullied in school and coming home crying in the rain and my mom making me a can of Campbell’s Tomato Soup with some oysterettes. It was comfort food; that is what food should be.

-Anthony Bourdain

We can all relate to the cozy feeling of Mom’s tomato soup, even one that came from a can. My red pepper and tomato soup delivers that same cozy feeling, but it’s even better than the stuff in the red and white can.

This red pepper tomato soup starts with sweet, oven-roasted bell peppers. You can use all red, orange or yellow peppers (or a combination of all three). They’re naturally mild and snappy when eaten raw, but roast them in the oven and their flavor intensifies and gets sweeter. That’s where we’ll start for this silky, luscious tomato pepper soup. Note: Don’t use green peppers here, save them for your green turkey chili.

Roasted red pepper tomato soup ingredients:

How to roast red peppers in the oven:

• Place whole peppers on a baking sheet and roast them in a 400° oven until the skins are blackened and charred and the flesh is soft. (about 25-30 minutes)
• Transfer the peppers to a bowl and cover with plastic wrap to cool
• Once cool, slip the skins off the peppers and remove the stems and seeds.

Note: To save time, you can also use a jar of roasted red peppers, just drain them well, first.

Whether you’re making creamy or chunky soups, a base of aromatic vegetables makes a big difference in the final outcome. A tomato soup made with just tomatoes is boring and one-note. Plus the more veggies, the healthier the soup.

How to pick aromatics:

The key to aromatics, is looking for colors and flavors that compliment the main components of the dish.

Carrots, onions and celery are the usual go-to’s, but fennel is another soft, subtle aromatic that’s often overlooked.

Another option would be leeks or shallots. for this tomato and roasted red pepper soup. They blend flavor wise and the colors add to the palate, not detract.

Adding spices

I also add a bit of earthy yellow turmeric to the veg while it sweats. Not only does it add a subtle boost to the flavors, it puts an exclamation point on the color and hue of the tomato and roasted pepper soup.

The best tomatoes for tomato soup:

I recommend canned Italian San Marzano tomatoes in their own canning sauce. They’re less acidic than other varieties and their rich flavor really shines in this soup. I always keep a few cans on hand.

You can also use other canned whole tomatoes in their own sauce.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with using fresh, either.

If you’ve got heavy, fragrant plum, beefsteak, or other ripe tomatoes, you can certainly use them, but it takes a bit more prep. Jessica Gavin shows you how in this tutorial on how to blanch, shock, peel and seed tomatoes to use in lots of recipes.

How to make roasted red pepper tomato soup

1. Sweat the aromatics in olive oil until tender. Stir in the garlic, turmeric and salt and heat until fragrant.
2. Add the tomatoes, peppers, veg and broth and simmer to develop the flavors. It doesn’t take long (15-20 minutes).
3. Puree the soup with an immersion blender or use a food processor or standard blender.
4. Stir in the cream and rewarm the soup. Serve with your favorite garnishes.

Is tomato & roasted red pepper soup healthy?

The quick answer is yes.

• With about 200 calories in each 1 1/2 cup serving, roasted pepper and tomato soup is a low calorie soup. It’s anti-oxidant rich and very satisfying.
• Tomatoes are loaded with lycopene, which is great for improving cholesterol levels and even reducing risk of heart disease, among other notable health benefits.
• Sweet peppers are a great source of vitamin A, vitamin C & potassium as well as fiber and folate. They’re made mostly of water and carbohydrates (the sugars in red peppers give them their sweeter flavor).
• Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant. The curcumin in turmeric helps reduce inflammation.
• What about the cream? You might think… GAWD… a whole cup of cream? But it actually breaks down to only 2 tablespoons per serving. Yes, cream adds calories, but full fat dairy products also contain fat soluble vitamins, vitamin A, D, E and K and using whipping cream satiates hunger, so you don’t over-eat (not that I haven’t done that a time or two). Plus it adds a luxurious mouth feel to tomato pepper soup.

Garnishes for homemade tomato pepper soup:

• Fried Seasoned Oyster Crackers (like Anthony Bourdain remembered)
• Drizzle of Cream
• Fresh Herbs like Parsley, Dill or Basil.
• Grated Parmesan Cheese
• Grilled Cheese Sandwich (cut into triangles the way Mom used to do).

More healthy soup recipes with tomatoes or peppers:

• Classic Conch Chowder
• Southwestern Chicken Taco Soup with Black Beans
• Belly Warming Hatch Chile Ham Soup
• Barley and Mushroom Soup

Pin “Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup” for later!