Indulge in Creamy Perfection: The Ultimate Italian Tomato and Mascarpone Soup Recipe
There’s nothing quite like a warm bowl of homemade soup to bring comfort and joy, and this **Italian tomato soup with mascarpone** is the epitome of creamy indulgence. With its wonderfully mild flavor and luxuriously smooth texture, it’s a simple yet sophisticated dish that promises to delight your taste buds. This easy homemade tomato soup recipe is crafted with pure, wholesome ingredients, making it a fantastic choice for any day of the week.
Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight meal or a comforting weekend treat, this soup delivers. Opt for high-quality strained tomatoes (passata) for a speedy preparation, and you’ll have this exquisite soup on your table in just 20 minutes. Crowned with a generous spoonful of rich mascarpone, this isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience. It’s truly one of the tastiest soup recipes you can prepare to spoil your loved ones, transforming a simple tomato soup into real comfort food that your family is absolutely going to adore!
The Irresistible Allure of Creamy Tomato and Mascarpone Soup
Today, I was craving something hearty yet refined, and my mind immediately went to tomato soup. It’s one of those timeless classics that always brings a smile to my face and comfort to my soul. My blog features a variety of delightful tomato soup creations, from a vibrant Chinese tomato soup to a hearty fresh tomato soup, and even a unique slow cooker tomato soup with leek and cheese. But in my opinion, you can truly never have too many variations of this beloved dish!
That’s why I’m thrilled to share yet another delicious and incredibly versatile recipe that I know will become a new family favorite: Italian Tomato and Mascarpone Soup. This recipe offers flexibility, allowing you to use a combination of fresh tomatoes and passata for a richer, more complex flavor, or simply rely on passata (strained tomatoes) when time is of the essence. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the depth of flavor achieved with minimal effort.
When you choose to incorporate fresh tomatoes, the variety you select can significantly impact the final taste. While any ripe tomato will work well, I highly recommend opting for flavorful varieties such as Roma tomatoes or beefsteak tomatoes. These particular types are known for their robust, slightly sweet, and tangy profiles, which truly shine through in the soup, creating a more authentic and delightful culinary experience. The result is arguably the best tomato and mascarpone soup you’ll ever taste – a truly unforgettable dish.
Essential Ingredients for Your Creamy Mascarpone Tomato Soup
Crafting this exquisite Italian Tomato and Mascarpone soup requires a few high-quality, pure ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in building the layers of flavor that make this soup so special. You’ll find the precise measurements for each ingredient in the detailed recipe card located at the very bottom of this blog post.
- Stock: The foundation of any great soup! For a deeply rich and full-bodied flavor that truly enhances the tomatoes, I recommend using a high-quality beef stock. If you’re preparing this for vegetarian guests or prefer a lighter profile, a delicious vegetable stock is an excellent alternative that still provides wonderful depth.
- Tomatoes: The star of the show! Fresh, ripe tomatoes are always best. Varieties like Roma tomatoes, Brandywine, or heirloom tomatoes are superb choices due to their concentrated flavor and balanced sweetness. If fresh tomatoes are not in season or you’re looking for a shortcut, canned peeled tomatoes are a fantastic pantry staple. For an even quicker preparation, you can effortlessly replace the fresh tomatoes entirely with 2 cups (400 ml) of high-quality passata (strained tomatoes). This substitution means you won’t need to simmer the soup for 20 minutes or go through the straining process – making it incredibly simple and fast!
- Mascarpone: This is the secret ingredient that transforms an ordinary tomato soup into an extraordinarily creamy and luxurious dish. Mascarpone is an Italian cream cheese, known for its exceptionally thick, rich, and velvety texture. It’s ideal for adding to this soup not just for its incredible taste, but also because its high-fat content ensures it won’t curdle when heated, giving you a consistently smooth result.
- Sage: This aromatic herb is a game-changer in this Italian tomato soup. Its warm, earthy, slightly peppery, and subtly bitter notes combine beautifully with the sweetness and acidity of the tomatoes, creating a harmonious flavor profile. Be mindful not to add too much sage, as its robust flavor can quickly overpower other ingredients. Approximately five fresh leaves, finely cut, are usually sufficient to impart its wonderful essence without dominating the dish.
- Olive Oil & Onion: These fundamental aromatics form the crucial base for the soup. A good quality olive oil for sautéing and a finely chopped onion slowly softened will unlock layers of savory flavor that underpin the entire dish.
Crafting Your Easy Italian Tomato and Mascarpone Soup: A Step-by-Step Guide
This recipe is designed for ease and maximum flavor. Below, you’ll find a clear, printable recipe card with a comprehensive step-by-step description to guide you through making this delicious Italian tomato soup with fresh tomatoes. Follow these instructions for a perfect bowl every time!
- Begin by pouring a generous dash of good quality olive oil into a sturdy soup pan. Add the finely chopped onion and the thinly stripped fresh sage leaves. Sauté these aromatics over medium heat for about three minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes beautifully translucent and fragrant. This step is crucial for building a flavorful base.
- Next, cut your fresh tomatoes into quarters and add them to the pan with the softened onion and sage. Place the lid on the pan and let everything simmer together for another three minutes. This brief braising helps the tomatoes to start releasing their juices and deepening their flavor. Then, pour the stock into the pan. Return the lid, bring the mixture to a gentle boil, and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Allow it to cook for 20 minutes, giving the tomatoes ample time to soften and infuse the stock with their essence.
- Once the simmering is complete, it’s time to achieve that signature smooth texture. Carefully use an immersion blender (or transfer in batches to a regular blender) to finely puree all the tomatoes and other ingredients. Blend at high speed for about 20 seconds, or until the soup is completely smooth and no large chunks remain.
- For a truly silky, restaurant-quality consistency, the next step is straining. Place a clean sieve (a medium-fine mesh works well) over another clean pan. Pour the pureed Italian tomato soup through the sieve. Using the back of a spoon or a spatula, gently press the soup through the mesh, ensuring all the delicious liquid passes through. The seeds and skins will remain behind in the sieve; simply discard them afterward. Now, stir in the sugar to balance the acidity and enhance the natural sweetness of the tomatoes. Finally, add the sieved passata (if using) to the soup. Mix everything together, bring it to a gentle boil once more, and then taste. Adjust the seasoning with salt, freshly ground black pepper, or a little additional sugar if needed to achieve your perfect flavor balance.
- To serve this exquisite soup, ladle generous portions into individual bowls. For that ultimate creamy finish, add a spoonful of mascarpone cheese into each bowl just before serving. A gentle swirl will beautifully melt the mascarpone into the hot soup, creating a rich, velvety swirl. Serve immediately with your favorite accompaniments.
Creative Variations and Expert Tips for Your Italian Tomato Soup
This Italian Tomato and Mascarpone Soup is wonderfully adaptable. Here are some ideas to customize it to your liking and a few expert tips to ensure your soup is always perfect:
- Vegetarian & Vegan Adaptations: To make this a delightful vegetarian tomato soup, simply substitute the beef stock with a robust and flavorful homemade vegetable stock or a good quality store-bought one. For a completely vegan soup that is also dairy-free, omit the mascarpone or replace it with a plant-based alternative like cashew cream or coconut cream. Always remember to check the labels of your chosen stock for any hidden animal products, or make your own vegetable stock from scratch to be certain. This ensures everyone can enjoy a delicious bowl!
- Make it More Filling: If you’re looking for a heartier meal, consider adding a handful of small pasta shapes like vermicelli, ditalini, or even small elbow macaroni during the last few minutes of simmering. Alternatively, stir in some cooked rice or a can of drained cannellini beans for extra texture and protein.
- Mascarpone Alternatives: While mascarpone offers unparalleled creaminess, you can substitute it with other dairy products if needed. Cream cheese (full-fat for best results) or a splash of heavy cream (or double cream) will also provide a rich and smooth consistency. Stir them in at the end to prevent curdling.
- Infuse with Pesto: For an extra layer of authentic Italian flavor, swirl in a tablespoon of your favorite basil pesto into the soup just before serving. This creates a delicious Italian tomato soup with pesto that is vibrant and aromatic.
- Italian Tomato Soup with Meatballs: Elevate this soup into a main course by adding small, homemade meatballs. Simply roll bite-sized portions of seasoned minced beef (or a mix of beef and pork) and gently drop them into the simmering soup after straining. Allow them to cook for about 15 minutes, or until fully cooked through, adding savory depth to every spoonful.
- Sweet Italian Tomato Soup: This recipe already includes a touch of sugar to balance the tomatoes’ acidity. If you prefer a distinctly sweet tomato soup, feel free to add an extra tablespoon of sugar to taste. For a natural sweetness and a unique twist, a spoonful of applesauce can also be a surprisingly delicious addition.
- Add a Spicy Kick: If you enjoy a bit of heat, finely chop a small red chili pepper (removing seeds for less heat) and sauté it with the onion and sage at the beginning. Alternatively, a pinch of red pepper flakes can be added along with the stock for a subtle warmth.
- Serving Suggestions: This soup is fantastic on its own, but it pairs beautifully with a variety of sides. Consider serving it with a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich with pesto, a grilled cheese sandwich with Camembert, or some crusty artisan bread for dipping. A fresh, light salad like this smoked chicken salad with pesto would also complement it perfectly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Homemade Tomato and Mascarpone Soup
To enhance your tomato soup, you have several delicious options. For a pleasant textural contrast, you can add diced fresh or canned tomatoes, or even some small pasta shapes like ditalini. A drizzle of high-quality balsamic cream or extra virgin olive oil just before serving can add a wonderful aroma and tang. For an even more robust Italian profile, stirring in a tablespoon of basil pesto is always a fantastic idea. Don’t forget fresh herbs like basil or parsley for garnish!
If your tomatoes lean more towards sour than sweet, there are a couple of easy fixes. The simplest method is to add a small amount of sugar, starting with half a teaspoon and adjusting to taste, as sugar helps to balance the acidity. Another excellent trick is to add a quarter to half a teaspoon of baking soda. Baking soda is alkaline and effectively neutralizes the acidity of the tomatoes without altering the flavor profile significantly.
A bland soup often just needs a little boost in seasoning. Start by adding more salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, as these basic seasonings can make a huge difference. Incorporating fresh herbs like basil, rosemary, and thyme will add considerable depth and aromatic complexity. For a fresher, brighter taste, finely chopped chives or parsley stirred in at the end can work wonders. A pinch of red pepper flakes can also add a subtle background warmth, even if you don’t want it overtly spicy.
Creamy tomato soup pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides. Classic choices include a delicious grilled cheese sandwich – try this grilled cheese sandwich with pesto or a more sophisticated grilled cheese sandwich with Camembert. A fresh, crisp salad offers a lovely contrast, such as this refreshing smoked chicken salad with pesto. For a simpler option, crusty bread or garlic bread is perfect for dipping.
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📖 Recipe
VIDEO
RECIPE CARD
Andréa
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, finely sliced
- 5 leaves sage, fresh, cut into thin strips
- 3â…“ pound tomatoes, coarsely sliced
- 4¼ cups beef stock
- 4¼ cups sieved tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 4 tablespoons mascarpone
All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.
Instructions
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Add olive oil to a soup pan and bake the onion and sage for three minutes on medium heat until the onion becomes translucent. Keep stirring.2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 onion, 5 leaves sage
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Add the tomatoes and put a lid on the pot. Cover and simmer for three minutes.3â…“ pound tomatoes
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Pour the stock into the soup pot. Cover with a lid, boil, and let simmer for 20 minutes.4¼ cups beef stock
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Purée the tomatoes with an immersion blender. Turn on the immersion blender for 20 seconds at high speed, or until everything is fine.
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Sieve the soup. Discard the tomato seeds.
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Add the sieved tomatoes and the sugar to the soup, and season with salt and pepper to taste.4¼ cups sieved tomatoes, 1 tablespoon sugar
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Heat the soup until it almost boils.
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Ladle the soup into a soup bowl and add one tablespoon of mascarpone. Stir this through the soup.4 tablespoons mascarpone
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Serve immediately.
Notes
2. The Art of Sieving: Sieving the soup is key to achieving that incredibly smooth, restaurant-quality consistency. It ensures that no unwanted tomato seeds or tough skins make their way into your final bowl. You don’t necessarily need the finest mesh sieve; a slightly coarser one will still effectively separate the solids while allowing the rich, thick puree to pass through, resulting in a beautifully textured Italian tomato soup.
3. Balancing Sweetness: The natural sweetness of tomatoes can vary. Adding a small spoonful of sugar to the soup helps to enhance this sweetness and brilliantly balances any tartness, making the overall flavor even more delightful. Alternatively, for a natural acid-neutralizer, a tiny pinch (about a quarter teaspoon) of baking soda can effectively reduce acidity without altering the soup’s taste.
4. Storage Guidelines: Proper storage is essential for enjoying your delicious soup for longer.
When storing, always ensure the soup is cooled down quickly after cooking.
- Refrigerator: Allow the soup to cool rapidly to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container. It can be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to two days.
- Freezer: For longer storage, cool the soup quickly and pour it into freezer-safe containers or bags. Freeze immediately. The soup will maintain its quality in the freezer for up to two months. When ready to enjoy, thaw the soup thoroughly in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- Reheat: Gently reheat the soup on the stove over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until it is heated through. If it’s too thick, you can add a splash of water or stock.
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Discover More Delightful Soup Recipes
If you’ve enjoyed the creamy indulgence of this Italian Tomato and Mascarpone Soup, then you’re in for a treat! Explore my collection of other fantastic soup recipes, perfect for any occasion and craving. Each recipe is designed to bring warmth, flavor, and comfort to your kitchen.
- Hearty Dutch Tomato Soup with Meatballs
- Granny’s Rich and Comforting Split Pea Soup
- Exotic Tom Kha Goong (Thai Coconut Soup with Shrimp)