4 Servings

Roasting brings out the sweetness of canned tomatoes, but this method works with fresh tomatoes, too. This is part of BA's Best , a collection of our essential recipes.

Ingredients

  • 1 28-oz. can whole peeled tomatoes
  • 8 garlic cloves, peeled
  • ½ cup olive oil, divided
  • Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 sprig rosemary
  • 1½ cups torn crusty bread
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature

Recipe Preparation

  • Preheat oven to 425°. Crush tomatoes with your hands into a 13x9" baking dish; scatter garlic over and drizzle with 1/4 cup oil; season with salt and pepper. Roast, tossing halfway through, until garlic is very soft and tomatoes are jammy, 35–40 minutes. Using a potato masher or fork, mash to break up garlic and tomatoes.

  • Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high. Add onion and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion begins to soften, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover pot, and cook, checking and stirring occasionally, until onion is very soft, 25–30 minutes (this long, slow cooking draws out maximum flavor). Increase heat to medium-high, add tomato paste, and cook, stirring, until slightly darkened in color, about 2 minutes. Add roasted tomato mixture and broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until flavors meld, 15–20 minutes. Let cool slightly.

  • Meanwhile, strip leaves from rosemary sprig and toss with bread and remaining 2 Tbsp. oil on a clean rimmed baking sheet; season with salt and pepper. Toast, tossing once, until croutons are golden brown, 6–8 minutes.

  • Working in batches, purĂ©e tomato mixture in a blender until very smooth (make sure lid is slightly ajar to let steam escape; cover with a towel). Transfer to a large bowl or pitcher.

  • Pour soup back into pot. Taste and season with salt and pepper; keep warm.

  • Serve soup topped with butter and rosemary croutons.

  • Do ahead: Tomato soup and croutons can be made 4 days ahead. Let soup cool; cover and chill. Store croutons airtight at room temperature.

Recipe by Dawn Perry
,
Photos by Alex Lau
Reviews Section
Does the juice in the canned tomatoes go into the baking dish?
This is delicious. I made a double batch. The only alternation I made was when it came time to blend it. I chose not to blend it completely smooth instead leaving some texture. I did run the entire batch through the blender, just the last third of it I blended less thoroughly. The result was fantastic.
add some fresh thyme when serving if you want to absolutely TRANSCEND. this recipe can be done pretty cheap, and relatively easy. Love! delicious and can be easily vegan-ized for friends w/restrictions!
I have made this 8 times this summer. Came up with a few changes: Saute the onions, garlic & 1 stalk celery diced & 2 bay leaves in olive oil in the bottom of my Dutch Oven, before I smoosh the skinned tomatoes on top. Then followed the rest of the recipe, except forgot to puree the first 2 times, then did for 1/2 the next batch, but everyone preferred the just-smooshed then squished with potato masher. Added basil from the garden in a couple of batches, then resorted to dried. Declared scrumptious at our family Thanksgiving pot-luck.
I love this soup! It’s so simple to make (if a little time consuming) and tastes much more complex than its parts. I wouldn’t change the recipe at all.

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