Creamy Vegan Tomato Soup Recipe

Ever crave a healthier version of your favorite hearty soup? This vegan version of creamy tomato soup highlights all the same flavors of the luscious dish without using any dairy. While less indulgent, this rendition, brought to us by health coach and recipe developer Miriam Hahn, still provides that warm and cozy vibe that traditional tomato soup delivers.

Hahn likes eating this soup as "a nice summer dinner with a hearty salad and fresh sourdough" or as a "perfect appetizer with something off the grill." Try it with a simple kale Caesar salad or perhaps a cranberry salad. Want something a little more substantial? "Sometimes," Hahn tells us, "I add rice or noodles to it."

Because leftovers last for about 1 week if kept in an airtight container in the fridge, this soup is a great option for those who like to meal prep. Cook this meal over the weekend and store it in the fridge for easy and quick lunches during your busy week.

To make this creamy vegan tomato soup, you can start by gathering your ingredients. For this recipe, you will need a sweet onion, garlic, olive oil, two cans of whole tomatoes (one regular and one fire-roasted, ideally), Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, maple syrup, vegetable broth, and unsweetened coconut milk, plus, if you'd like to add a finish touch, some fresh basil and croutons. Hahn notes that the coconut milk in this recipe makes the "soup thick and creamy while keeping it vegan" She adds that "it gives off a slight coconut flavor, but if you didn't know it was in there, you wouldn't even notice." Just be sure to buy it unsweetened!

Now that you have gathered your ingredients, you can start by chopping the garlic and onion. There is no need to aim for perfect and consistent pieces; since you will be blending this soup later on, a rough chop will do. Add the oil to a large pot over high heat. Then, add in the onions and garlic and cook for about 8 minutes. Make sure to stir this mixture frequently to avoid burning. If the pan gets too dry, add a bit of water.

Next, add both the cans of tomatoes to the pot. Hahn recommends using 1 can of whole tomatoes and another of fire-roasted tomatoes: "I love the smoky flavor of the fire-roasted tomatoes. They are so much more flavorful than plain whole tomatoes, and they offer a slight kick." Using a wooden spoon, break down the tomatoes. Add the Italian seasoning, then lower the heat to a simmer for about 10 minutes.

Now, you can blend the soup either with a high-speed blender or an immersion blender. Once the soup is smooth, return the mixture to the pot.

Next, you add the salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, maple syrup (which will offer a "sweet balance to the acidic tomatoes," Hahn explains), vegetable broth, and coconut milk. Stir this mixture well, taste, and adjust the seasonings as needed. When you are ready to serve, feel free to add optional garnishes of fresh basil and croutons on the top of each bowl.