I think I just finally have to say it out loud; we are in the thick of winter (and wool sweaters/socks/snuggies).
January and February feel like the longest months. I'm THAT person. The person who complains and whines about winter all winter long. Because spring feels like it's taking its sweet time. The limited amount of sunshine, dressing in infinite layers, and the struggle to be productive are all too real and too much for me. I don't want to adult, I don't want to leave the warmth of my bed in the mornings. I also don't look forward to spending my days tearing my house apart, looking for lost gloves, hats, and scarves. I should've been smart and started buying said items in bulk because I currently have no less than 10 very sad and lonely gloves, waiting for the other half to be found. Don't you just hate that?
I DO want one bowl wonders. Like soup. And warm, comforty things.
Bonus points for Instant Pot usage. Yessssss! Because we're still pretending that snow days mean that we get time off from meal prep too but not really, so we'll take all the help we can get.
As much of a winter hater as I am, I DO love fresh snow falls. As soon as I hear the weather peeps predict snow, out come all the ingredients for the best, comfort, cozy tomato soup. Because tomato soup+grilled cheese during the cold, winter months is seriously my jam.
I have so many memories tied to tomato soup. When I was little, tomato soup, the one from a can- the one I was so jealous of all other kids who got it on the regular- was the thing to look forward to when any of us were sick. I loved watching my mom pour equal parts water (or milk) and canned tomato soup into a pot and heat it up. And if I was especially lucky that day, I'd get a grilled cheese sandwich. That was me living my best, eating soup from a can, life. I didn't even mind the metallic taste because I thought it was part of the charm.
Fast-forward to my life now, where my kids wouldn't even believe me if I told them they can buy soup in a can. Because, at some point, I decided that soup shouldn't taste watery, metallic, and generic. After having tasted legit tomato bisque, I wanted to recreate it in a clean, fuss-free, dinner is half an hour and I have zero idea what I'm gonna feed myself sorta way. Also-the kids-I can't forget to feed the kids. So much work!
Enter this ultra-creamy tomato soup. But go ahead and hold the cream for something else, because you don't need it. In fact this soup is:
√ deliciously creamy, without using any cream (or guilt) so wining healthy eats
√ totally dairy-free and vegan, rejoice all you alternative milk lovers
√ whole30 and paleo friendly, because of course!
√ kid approved, no joke, my kids down this soup like they've been starving for weeks
√ 110% pairable with a oeey- goey grilled cheese sandwich, if that's your jam
Remember how I'm into basic and flavorful these days? Because a good, basic tomato soup should be in everyone's back pocket, to customize as they please. There are times when I don't have fire roasted tomatoes (which you should definitely add if you have on hand), so I substitute with regular, canned whole or diced tomatoes. There are also times when you don't want to dig into your life savings to buy those two stems of basil in the middle of winter and that's totally okay. Use dried basil, I promise the world will keep moving. You may decide that after having argued with one of your kids about everything under the planet from the time you wake up on a Saturday morning to dinner time, that mommy needs that dose of cream. Go right ahead my friend, I'll be right here helping you pour, in a non-creepy, guiding you through your iPhone screen sort of way.
And what if you don't have an Instant Pot? My friend, the stove is still there. We can work through it together, just keep scrolling to the recipe. And once you've made your soup, hit instagram and make make my day, by tagging me and showing me that you've made this beautiful soup. I love nothing more than seeing you guys making and loving my recipes.
As for me, I'll be working on bringing you more recipes and sending warm fuzzies your way!
P.S. I won't tell the kids this soup is packed with veggies, if you won't!
Basic Instant Pot Creamy Tomato Soup
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 5 1x
Ingredients
- 4-5 large carrots peeled and chopped (about 2-3 cups)
- 1 onion, peeled and chopped
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 1 tbsp chopped garlic (I use 3-4 cloves)
- 2 14.5 oz cans diced fire roasted tomatoes with liquid (Or whole or plain tomatoes, whatever you have on hand)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 tbsp tomato paste
- ¼ cup fresh basil, stems removed and roughly chopped (1 tbsp dried basil)
- 2-3 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- 2 tsp kosher salt (less if using table salt)
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- On the high saute function of the Instant Pot, heat olive oil. Add in carrots, onion, celery, and salt. Cook for 1-2 minutes, until onions begin to soften. Add garlic and continue to cook until garlic becomes fragrant, about 1 more minute.
- Add thyme, basil, pepper, and tomato paste and stir to coat veggies.
- Add in tomatoes and broth, making sure to scrape the bottom of the pot to entire nothing is sticking to the liner.
- Set the Instant Pot to high manual pressure for 15 minutes, cover with vent on "sealing" and allow to come to pressure. Once done, quick release the pressure.
- Puree the soup, using either an immersion blender, food processor, or blender.
- Serve hot and with crusty bread/grilled cheese sandwiches/crackers if desired.
STOVETOP DIRECTIONS:- Heat oil in a large pot, on medium heat. Add in carrots, onion, celery, and salt. Cook for 1-2 minutes, until onions begin to soften. Add garlic and continue to cook until garlic becomes fragrant, about 1 more minute.
- Add thyme, basil, pepper, and tomato paste and stir to coat veggies.
- Add in tomatoes and broth, making sure to scrape the bottom of the pot to entire nothing is sticking to the pot.
- Reduce heat to low, cover with lid and simmer for 20-25 minutes, until veggies are completely cooked and soft. Add more broth if the liquid has reduced or if you like a thinner consistency.
- Puree the soup, using either an immersion blender, food processor, or blender.
- Serve hot and with crusty bread/grilled cheese sandwiches/crackers if desired.
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