3 Ingredient Tomato Soup Recipe – Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Last Tuesday, my neighbor Sarah knocked on my door looking absolutely frazzled. “Chef Greeny,” she said, “I have exactly 15 minutes before my kids get home from school, and all I have is canned tomatoes, some cream, and butter. Can you work magic?”
Twenty minutes later, we were both sipping the creamiest, most comforting tomato soup I’ve made in years. Sarah couldn’t believe something so simple could taste so incredible.
This 3 ingredient tomato soup recipe is perfect for busy moms who want to serve something homemade without spending hours in the kitchen. Whether you’re feeding picky eaters, meal prepping for the week, or just craving that nostalgic comfort food taste, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality results with pantry staples.
You’ll learn exactly how to balance flavors, avoid common mistakes that make tomato soup taste flat, and discover simple variations that’ll make this your family’s new favorite meal.
3 Ingredient Tomato Soup Recipe – Ingredients and How to Make It
What You’ll Need
The Holy Trinity:
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes (San Marzano if you’re feeling fancy)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3 tablespoons butter
Optional substitutions:
- Heavy cream → coconut cream (dairy-free)
- Butter → olive oil or vegan butter (dairy-free)
- Regular tomatoes → fire-roasted for smoky flavor
Dietary notes: Naturally gluten-free, easily made dairy-free, keto-friendly
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Heat the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat until melted and fragrant (about 1 minute).
- Add crushed tomatoes directly to the butter. Let it simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. You’ll hear gentle bubbling—that’s perfect.
- Stir in heavy cream slowly, creating beautiful swirls. Simmer for another 3-4 minutes until heated through.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper. Start with 1/2 teaspoon salt and adjust.
Chef Greeny’s Tip: Don’t skip the butter-tomato simmering step! This concentrates the flavors and prevents that watery, acidic taste you get from rushed tomato soup.
Another secret: If your soup tastes too acidic, add a pinch of sugar. If it’s too thin, simmer uncovered for 2-3 extra minutes.
Recipe Notes & Storage
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors actually improve overnight!
Scaling up: Double or triple the recipe easily—perfect for meal prep or feeding a crowd.
Make-ahead tip: Prepare the tomato-butter base ahead of time and add cream when reheating. This prevents the cream from separating.
Presentation: Serve with a drizzle of cream on top, fresh basil leaves, or alongside our 3-ingredient oat bread for dipping.
3 Ingredient Tomato Soup Recipe – Nutrition Facts & Smart Tips
Estimated Nutrition (Per Serving – Makes 4 servings)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 145 |
| Carbs | 8g |
| Protein | 3g |
| Fat | 12g |
| Sugar | 6g |
| Fiber | 2g |
Health Talk
This 3 ingredient tomato soup recipe packs impressive nutritional benefits into every bowl. Tomatoes are loaded with lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that supports heart health and may reduce inflammation. The fat from butter and cream actually helps your body absorb more of these beneficial compounds—studies show that a minimum fat consumption of 3–5 g per day guarantees sufficient carotenoid absorption, and our recipe provides exactly that.
Diet-friendly benefits:
- Keto-approved: Only 8g net carbs per serving
- Low-sugar: Much less sugar than store-bought versions
- Protein boost: Add a dollop of cottage cheese for extra protein
Compared to canned tomato soup, homemade versions contain 60% less sodium and zero preservatives. Plus, you control every ingredient that goes into your family’s bowls.
Scientific backing: Research published in the National Center for Biotechnology Information confirms that lycopene is one of the most potent antioxidants among dietary carotenoids, and studies demonstrate that dietary fat significantly improves the bioavailability of these health-promoting compounds.
3 Ingredient Tomato Soup Recipe – Creative Variations to Try
Herb-Infused Version: Add dried basil, oregano, or Italian seasoning during the simmering stage.
Spicy Kick: Stir in red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce with the cream.
Protein Power: Swirl in cooked ground turkey or chicken for a heartier meal.
Holiday Twist: Add a pinch of nutmeg and cinnamon for warming fall flavors.
Kid-Friendly: Blend until completely smooth and add a touch of honey if needed.
Chef Greeny’s favorite upgrade: I love adding a tablespoon of cream cheese along with the heavy cream—it creates the most luxurious texture!
3 Ingredient Tomato Soup Recipe – How to Serve It
Perfect timing: This soup works beautifully as a light lunch, dinner starter, or cozy evening meal. I often make it on Sunday afternoons for easy weeknight reheating.
Winning pairings:
- Grilled cheese sandwiches (obviously!)
- Our high-protein cloud bread for dipping
- Simple green salad with lemon vinaigrette
- Crusty sourdough bread
Chef Greeny’s favorite serving idea: I serve this in oversized mugs with a small spoon and thick bread for dunking. It feels so much cozier than regular bowls, and kids love the novelty!
Print
3 Ingredient Tomato Soup Recipe
- Total Time: 20
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
This 3 ingredient tomato soup recipe is perfect for busy moms who want to serve something homemade without spending hours in the kitchen. Whether you’re feeding picky eaters, meal prepping for the week, or just craving that nostalgic comfort food taste, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality results with pantry staples.
Ingredients
1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes (San Marzano if you’re feeling fancy)
1/2 cup heavy cream
3 tablespoons butter
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Heat the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat until melted and fragrant (about 1 minute).
2. Add crushed tomatoes directly to the butter. Let it simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. You’ll hear gentle bubbling—that’s perfect.
3. Stir in heavy cream slowly, creating beautiful swirls. Simmer for another 3-4 minutes until heated through.
4. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Start with 1/2 teaspoon salt and adjust.
Notes
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors actually improve overnight!
Don’t skip the butter-tomato simmering step! This concentrates the flavors and prevents that watery, acidic taste.
If your soup tastes too acidic, add a pinch of sugar. If it’s too thin, simmer uncovered for 2-3 extra minutes.
For dairy-free version: substitute coconut cream for heavy cream and olive oil for butter.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 15
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 145
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 480
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Unsaturated Fat: 3
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 3
- Cholesterol: 35
3 Ingredient Tomato Soup Recipe – Frequently Asked Questions
What are the three ingredients in tomato soup?
The essential trio is canned crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, and butter. These three ingredients create the perfect balance of acidity, richness, and flavor depth.
How do you make a simple tomato soup?
Melt butter, simmer with tomatoes for 8-10 minutes, then stir in cream. The key is giving the tomatoes time to cook down and concentrate their flavors before adding dairy.
What can I put in tomato soup to make it taste better?
Start with good-quality canned tomatoes and don’t rush the cooking process. A pinch of sugar balances acidity, while herbs like basil or oregano add complexity without extra ingredients.
Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?
Absolutely! Use about 2 pounds of ripe tomatoes, but you’ll need to cook them longer (15-20 minutes) to break down and concentrate. Canned tomatoes are actually more consistent for this recipe.
Why does my homemade tomato soup taste watery?
This usually happens when you skip the simmering step or add too much liquid. Always let the tomatoes reduce and thicken before adding cream, and simmer uncovered if it seems thin.
3 Ingredient Tomato Soup Recipe – Final Thoughts from Chef Greeny
There’s something magical about creating restaurant-quality comfort food with just three simple ingredients. This tomato soup proves that minimalist cooking doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor—it means letting each ingredient shine.
What I love most about this recipe is how it fits into real life. No hunting for specialty ingredients, no complicated techniques, just honest-to-goodness delicious soup that happens to be incredibly simple to make.
The beauty of 3-ingredient cooking lies in building confidence in the kitchen. Once you master this base recipe, you’ll start seeing possibilities everywhere—different herbs, protein additions, or even turning it into a pasta sauce.
Tried this 3-ingredient magic? Tag us @3ingredientrecipe on Pinterest or share your twist in the comments—Chef Greeny reads them all!
Remember: Great cooking isn’t about complexity—it’s about understanding how flavors work together. This soup is proof that sometimes the simplest approach creates the most satisfying results.
