Here’s how to the best (and easiest) tomato soup:

Combine butter, onion, and tomatoes. Grab a Dutch oven or pot, place it over medium heat and melt the butter. Add half an onion that’s been cut into large wedges and a large can of tomatoes.

Add water or broth and simmer. Bring everything to a low simmer, add some salt and leave it alone for about 40 minutes.

Blend. I find an immersion blender is useful, but a blender works, too. Adjust the soup for seasoning then grab a bowl…and maybe a grilled cheese sandwich?

This soup is excellent with canned tomatoes. Just like when making red pasta sauce, I love using whole peeled tomatoes or crushed tomatoes.

You can also use fresh tomatoes. You will need 10 to 12 whole tomatoes (or about 2 pounds). It’s best to peel them, but we have made the soup with unpeeled tomatoes.

Can I make this tomato soup vegan? Yes, olive oil or a plant-based butter is an option. You can also use coconut oil. It might sound odd but the light coconut flavor with onion/tomatoes is pretty delicious.

Can I add basil? This soup is delicious with and without basil. Adding a handful of fresh basil at the end before blending the soup is a fantastic idea.

Can I add cream? Yes, although, with the butter in this recipe, only a small splash of cream is needed.

Can I make this soup in advance? Yes! Store homemade tomato soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days or freeze up to three months.