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Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

This velvety homemade creamy tomato basil soup hits the spot every time. It’s thick, creamy, and loaded with 3 kinds of tomatoes for an extra comforting weeknight dinner.

Homemade Tomato Basil Soup

Served with freshly cracked pepper on top, this simple tomato basil soup is extra rich and creamy thanks to lots of tangy cream cheese. That’s not where the flavor-base comes from, though. Lots of sweet onions and fragrant garlic are sauteéd before adding in homemade roasted tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, and sun-dried tomatoes. Blended right in the pot for easy clean-up, don’t forget a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for heat. Once everything has made friends on the stove, dip your favorite grilled cheese into it or toasty bread for a comforting weeknight dinner.

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Tomato Soup Recipe

You’re never going back to canned soup after you get a taste of this recipe.

  • Better than store-bought. You can make it creamier, spicier, add more garlic, and overall make it more your own.
  • Wholesome. There are loads of fresh tomatoes, onions, fresh basil, and chicken broth in every spoonful.
  • Fresh. You know exactly what’s in it and when you made it.
  • Freezer-friendly. Throw it into the pot when you need a last-minute dinner for a crazy weeknight.
Ingredients for tomato basil soup.

What You’ll Need

Sun-dried tomatoes are my secret ingredient. They make a world of difference. Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact amounts.

  • Roma tomatoes – Remove all the seeds so they can roast properly.
  • Olive oil – You can use vegetable, corn, or canola oil.
  • Avocado oil – Feel free to use olive oil.
  • Onion – White or yellow onion are okay.
  • Red pepper – Cayenne pepper is a great swap.
  • Garlic cloves – Feel free to use garlic powder.
  • Crushed tomatoes – Any canned crushed tomatoes are great.
  • Sun-dried tomatoes – These are often sold in jars and add lots of umami.
  • Low-sodium chicken broth – Veggie stock works too.
  • Fresh basil – Don’t use dried because it’s too potent.
  • Cream cheese – Use full-fat or low-fat cream cheese.

What Tomatoes Are Best For Homemade Tomato Soup?

Plum varieties like Roma and San Marzano tomatoes are best for tomato soup because they’re much sweeter. They’re also meatier. Cherry tomatoes work too but they’ll take forever to remove the seeds from and aren’t as practical.

Spoonful of tomato basil soup.

How to Make Tomato Basil Soup

Roast the tomatoes, simmer, and blend. That’s it! Check the recipe card for more detailed instructions.

  • Roast the tomatoes. Preheat the oven to 350F. Place the tomatoes on a tray. Sprinkle some olive oil and a little salt on them. Mix them until well combined. Bake them for 40 minutes.
  • Cook the onions. Add the avocado oil, onions, and red pepper flakes to a large pot over medium-high heat. Cook the onions for 5-7 minutes or until softened. Add the garlic and sauteé for 30 seconds.
  • Add the tomatoes. Stir the crushed tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, and chicken broth into the pot. Bring it to a boil and add the roasted tomatoes. Cook everything for another 10 minutes.
  • Make it creamy. Add the basil and cream cheese to the pot. Stir until the cream cheese melts and mixes in completely.
  • Blend it. Use a blender to process the soup in batches until completely smooth. You can also use an immersion blender. Serve immediately and enjoy.
Dipping a slice of bread with melted cheese into the soup.

Tips for Success

If you roast your tomatoes, your homemade tomato soup will always be bomb.

  • Wait a day. This soup tastes way better a day after it’s made. If you can resist eating it all in one go, reheat it the next day for an explosion of flavors.
  • Don’t skip the roasting. Not roasting the tomatoes will add a very raw taste to your soup, so don’t forget to roast them even if it takes a little bit more time.
  • Swap the dairy. Use 1/2 cup of heavy cream or half-and-half instead of cream cheese in this recipe.
  • Add toppings. Roasted almonds, croutons, and shaved parmesan are great toppings.
  • Make it spicy. Stir in more red pepper flakes or 1/2 teaspoon of chili oil at a time until it’s spicy to taste.
  • Avoid stainless steel. Non-stick pots and even Dutch ovens are wonderful pot options that’ll help you reduce the risk of the soup sticking and burning.
Two bowls of soup with sliced bread on the side.

What to Serve with Homemade Tomato Soup

This creamy tomato basil soup is the best thing in the whole world when you dip a grilled cheese sandwich into it. If you want something heartier, dip my Grilled Chicken Fajita Panini into it instead. Dunking in my Air Fryer Chicken Tenders is also a family-favorite. You can even turn this soup into a side for a simple Grilled Ribeye Steak dinner with an Arugula Salad.

Pot of creamy tomato soup with basil.

How to Store & Reheat Leftovers

Once fully cooled, refrigerate the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. To reheat it, pop it into the microwave for 30 seconds, stir, and heat another 30 seconds. To reheat larger portions, place it in a pot over medium-high heat for 7-8 minutes.

Can I Freeze Tomato Basil Soup?

Absolutely! Don’t freeze it for more than 3 months, though, to keep it from separating. Let it thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating as usual and serving. If you’re in a hurry, you can also throw it into the pot straight from the freezer. If the soup has separated a little, blend it until smooth again.

More Homemade Soup Recipes

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Landscape photo of tomato basil soup.

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 18 reviews
  • Author: Krista
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 mins
  • Yield: 68 servings 1x
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This thick and creamy tomato basil soup with hints of garlic is the perfect weeknight dinner and great for dipping with grilled cheese.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1012 Roma Tomatoes, halved and seeds removed
  • 1 teaspoon olive Oil
  • 1 tablespoon Avocado Oil
  • 1 large Onion, chopped
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 28oz. can of crushed tomatoes
  • ¼ cup of sun-dried tomatoes, diced
  • 4 cups of low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 ½ cups of fresh basil
  • ¼ cup of cream cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Add prepared tomatoes to a baking sheet. Sprinkle tomatoes with olive oil and season with salt. Toss to coat everything evenly.
  3. Roast tomatoes for 40 minutes. 
  4. In a 6-quart stockpot over medium-high heat, add avocado oil, onions and crushed red pepper.
  5. Sauté onions until translucent, approximately 5-7 minutes.
  6. Add garlic, stir for 30 seconds, and add crushed tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes and chicken broth.
  7. Bring to a boil, then add oven-roasted tomatoes and let simmer for 10 minutes.
  8.  Next, add basil and cream cheese to the pot and stir until the cream cheese is completely melted.
  9. Blend soup until smooth. (I used my immersion blender but you could also take the soup out in portions and put it in a blender.)


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 137
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 183 mg
  • Fat: 6 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 15 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 7 mg

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117 comments on “Creamy Tomato Basil Soup”

  1. Very good recipe. Great flavor and easy to make. I did adapt this recipe to my cooking blender though and it turned out perfect.






  2. Such a great recipe! My daughter and I are super picky tomato basil soup eaters and have been searching for the best recipe. This is it!! We will be making this for years to come. Thank you!






  3. You are so talented and patient!! I’m sharing some of your treats tomorrow on my blog. Thanks so much for linking up to my Red, White, Blue & You Link Party! I always love everything you make!






  4. Super good and easy recipe!! I only made a couple adjustments to the original recipe. I added a sprinkle of salt, along with the red pepper flakes, to the onions while cooking. I also added about a tsp of butter at the very end, just to make it glisten and give a tiny bit of richness. Our family loves this recipe!






  5. I have made this Creamy tomato basil soup recipe at least a half dozen times and it is nothing short of delicious. My husband asks for it weekly because he loves it so much. So much so that he roasts the tomatoes for it. It is much easier to make then it seems. A great go to recipe, you will love without all the fat!

  6. Delicious! Will make again. A bonus is that I never made roasted tomatoes, but I sure will now..yum! No need to peel the tomatoes..the skin cooks up and blends.






  7. I’m cooking low sodium which means no cans allowed. What could I do in place of the can of crushed tomatoes? Just roast more Roma’s or another kind of tomatoes?

    1. Yes. Just add more roma tomatoes and then cook them for a while on the stove as well to really get that deep tomato taste.

  8. I made this and it was sooooooooo good!!!! Easy, cheap, delicious. Tastes just as good as the one I had in a great Italian restaurant that got me to look the recipe up in the first place. So glad I wasn’t disappointed! Definitely adding it to the recipe book ^~






  9. Avatar photo
    Anders Svensson

    Very nice information about tomato soup recipe. I just made it last night and followed your given tips. The recipe exactly too delicious. Thanks you so much for sharing.






  10. I LOVE to add a little handful of quinoa to my soup once I serve it! Adds a little extra texture and nutrition 🙂 LOVE LOVE LOVE this recipe!!!!!!






  11. I just came across this recipe and your site. As has been mentioned here, this recipe stands out! I tried to read through the comments but you have a big fan base so I’m going to ask a question that may have already been answered. Have you tried freezing this? It is such a small amount of cream cheese which makes me feel that it can be. I’m looking forward to tasting this. I live close to the Pike Street Market in Seattle so I’m able to enjoy the best ingredients.

    1. Hey Ta! I haven’t tried freezing it yet. However, because it does have a small amount of dairy I think you’ll be fine.

      And so jealous I wish I lived near Pike Street Market! I’ve been there a couple times because my parents live out in Seattle and every time I go I have envy! That place is gorgeous! Hope you enjoy the soup! 🙂

  12. People say they pinned it and can’t wait to try it. I happened to have every ingredient. The soup was very easy to make. Delicious soup.






  13. Creamy Tomato Basil Soup was wonderful!! Made it yesterday and it’s even better today. Bet it would be good cold in the summer as well. Thanks for the recipe.






  14. When you add the roasted tomatoes to the soup, do you add the liquid that cooked out of the tomatoes as well. Also, do you know if this soup can be preserved in mason jars with a canner?

    1. I did not add the liquid from the roasted tomatoes, but you totally could, it just adds more flavor. 🙂

      I am not sure about the canning portion though, because I don’t can. I would think so but the only part I’m not sure of it the cream cheese factor.

  15. Thank you so much for the recipe! I have made this many times, and everyone LOVES it. I’ll never make tomatoe soup any other way.

  16. I just made this tonight and followed the recipe exactly and it is delicious!!! Creamy with a delish tomato taste and a hint of heat as I doubled the crushed Chili flakes. Yummy!!

    1. OH.. nice I usually double the chili flakes too.. just had to keep it “mild” for the blog. 🙂 woohoo!! So glad you liked it Jenna!

      1. Teaching my 2 olders (10+8) to be functional little citizens, so they’re learning to cook! So excited to find this *healthy*, simple recipe they can follow! Just wondering if you had a recipe for grilled cheese … ? TIA!

        1. I love my kids in the kitchen with me, and now they love cooking and helping! When making grilled cheese for the kids, we keep it pretty simple! I let them shred mild cheddar and mozzarella for their sandwiches but cook on the stovetop just like my mom taught me!

  17. I would LOVE to make this tonight but don’t have access to that much fresh basil ( I live in a rural area). How do you think it would be with dried?

    1. It would still be great with dried basil. I would just adjust the quantities because dry basil is much stronger than fresh, so use less dry. 🙂

  18. Hi! This is the first time I have stumbled upon this blog. Thanks for the recipe! Most of the ones I was looking at called for canned tomatoes but I wanted to try to make soup with fresh ones. And I’ve never heard of the addition of cream cheese but that sounds much better than whipping cream. 🙂 Also, I read your “about me” section and think it’s commendable how boldly you love Jesus.

    1. Thanks so much Jada, such an encouraging note to read today! You are so sweet!

      I hope you enjoy this recipe girl, it rocks, especially with a crunchy grilled cheese. I’m a dunker so I NEED a grilled cheese with my tomato soup. 🙂

  19. I will never again purchase a package Tomato soup. The recipe is complete in every aspect, taste, consistency and aroma. Way to go…Thanks for the recipe..






    1. Hurray! I use to grow up on campbells tomato soup, but this stuff is WAYY better! So excited that you enjoyed it Judy!

  20. hello!
    just found your site! This tomato soup looks amazing, but I have to make sure it is gluten free, as I’m having guests over that have this restriction. It shows up on pinterest as being gluten free but just wanted to double check? Thank you!

    1. yup, everything that is used in the soup is either a vegetable or herb, the swansons broth if you get low sodium should be gluten free, and then the cream cheese is gluten free. 🙂 Hope you enjoy it, its definitely one of my favorites!

      1. thanks so much for your response! The soup’s on the stovetop right now and smellin awesome!! Question… the cream cheese doesn’t seem to be melting down all the way? Still little pieces floating around; been simmering about 10 minutes? Will it all blend together once I use my immersion blender, do you think?

  21. I just wanted to say thank you for this recipe. My oldest daughter is 8 and tried La Madelines tomato basil soup for the first time last year and realized she loved tomatos as long as they are not raw. Three out of five of us have Celiacs and I’ve been challenged by her to make this soup. Finding a recipe that was gluten free and not to horribly sweet has been hard. She wanted it to taste like La Madelines. I’m so happy I found this on Pinterest. I can’t wait to try it out on one of these cold winter days.

    1. oh… thanks so much Carmen! So glad you found it too, I hope you like it as much as we do. Its definitely one of our family favorites during the winter months, the ultimate comfort food. That and a grilled cheese. 🙂

  22. This soup looks fab! Tomato soup is one of my all time favorites…and paired with a grilled cheese…swoon!

  23. I had this soup at at Greek place last nite with Basmatti rice. Just delish! Ican’t wait to make yours! Thanks!

  24. Hi Krista
    Just found your wonderful website! I recently open a Cafe in a YMCA and can’t wait to make some of your healthy items. In the tomato soup – do you chop the tomatoes or halve? Skin them before or after roasting or not at all?
    Thanks so much~

    1. I just half the tomatoes, remove the seeds, roast them and then put them in the soup. (I don’t remove the skin.. i don’t mind it.. but if you don’t like it by all means remove it)

      So glad you found me Sherri!! 🙂 Hope you enjoy the recipes as much as we do!

  25. This soup sounds yummy! I must try. Do you take the seeds out before putting the tomatoes in the oven OR do you roast the tomatoes first and then remove the seeds when it’s ready?

    1. Thanks Susan! 🙂 I remove the seeds first and then roast time, but you could do it after you roast too. Just as long as they are out before they hit the soup! Hope you enjoy Susan!

      1. I didn’t see anything about taking out seeds, in the soup they went! I am making it right now, so we will see how it goes!

        1. Uh oh… yeah in the ingredients list it says to remove the seeds. Its okay though, the recipe will still be great it just might have more “texture” to it than normal. 🙂

  26. Happy Anniversary,
    I love the sundried tomatoes in your soup.. that must really kick up the flavor.

  27. Avatar photo
    Adelina Priddis

    Jotting this into my menu! Yummy. I think it’s fun to go back and look at where we started as bloggers, and where we’ve come. Your photos are stunning…and mouthwatering!
    Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friday






    1. Thanks so much Adelina, you have been so sweet and encouraging. It definitely is fun and encouraging to look back to see how far we’ve come. 🙂

  28. Avatar photo
    Jen @ YummyHealthyEasy

    Happy Blogiversary, Krista!! I love this post! I feel the same about so many of the things you say in here. I love your blog and your pictures are fantastic! Super glad to call you my blogging buddy! This recipe looks like a winner, I’ll be making it for sure!

    1. Thanks Jen, that means alot coming from a veteran like you! It always fun to take a day and look back at where you’ve come in the “blogging world” or any world I guess.

      I am honored to say that I am friends with you too, I mean seriously, your Jen @ Yummy Healthy Easy!!! 🙂

  29. Avatar photo
    Cindy @MomMaven

    Happy blogiversary! This recipe looks divine! I’m hopping over from The Crafty Blog Stalker linky.

    1. Thanks so much Cindy, hope you get a chance to try it. It tastes divine too. 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by!

  30. Avatar photo
    Stephanie @ Sustaining the Powers

    Visiting from Marvelous Mondays. Congratulations on 1 year!!

    Growing up in Texas, my family hardly ever ate soup and when we did, it was tortilla soup. Once I moved to Colorado, I was introduced to the magic of tomato soup with grilled cheese. I have been craving it a few times a month ever since. I typically buy it, but this looks so easy to make! Pinned!

    1. haha… that is so right. We live in Texas now and all you see everywhere is Chicken Tortilla Soup! I mean its good and all, but tomato soup with grilled cheese is a classic! Hope you get a chance to try this Stephanie, it will make your taste buds happy. 🙂 Thanks for the pin!

  31. Avatar photo
    Ashlyn @ Belle of the Kitchen

    Krista, this soup looks so good! There is a local place here in Hawaii called Aloha Salads that has a Tomato Basil soup that I love, and I have really been wanting to make it at home. I love all the ingredients in yours (and that you use coconut oil!) so I’m going to pin your recipe and give it a try soon. Your pictures are lovely, too by the way! 🙂

    1. Hold the phone you live in Hawaii!?!? Jealous! What island?

      Can’t wait to see how this soup compares to the one at Aloha Salads, hope you like it. 🙂

  32. Avatar photo
    Mike @TheIronYou

    Tomato soup with grilled cheese is like the best combo ever. I like how you used coconut oil in the soup, I wanna try this!

    1. I know right!?! Totally the best combo. 🙂 Thanks Mike so glad you like the recipe, that means alot coming from you! Can’t wait to hear what you think of the recipe. 🙂

  33. Avatar photo
    Cindy Eikenberg

    Krista, this soup looks absolutely fantastic! Definitely pinning! Wishing you such a happy anniversary and just tickled pink to have met you through blogging! Thanks for being such a wonderful friend and wishing you many more years of fun, happiness, success and amazing friendship! xo

    1. Thanks so much Cindy! It has been awesome getting to know you over the past year, I can still remember the first time I found your site and how much you have grown since. Such an honor to say we are friends. 🙂

      Hope you get a chance to try the soup, it is comfort in a bowl!

  34. Tomato is soup is the best with crunchy grilled cheese! But I have a feeling I could stand a bowl of this soup on its own – it looks so good!

    1. You are so right Mary Frances, this soup can definitely hold its own without the grilled cheese. 🙂

  35. Avatar photo
    Carrie @Frugal Foodie Mama

    Happy Anniversary, Krista! 🙂
    This soup looks amazing- I love a nice homemade tomato soup with a gooey grilled cheese.
    Pinned & sharing!

    1. Thanks Carrie, its totally the best combo of all time! 🙂 Thanks for the pins and sharing chica, you rock!

  36. Happy Anniversary Krista! I’m so glad that I found your blog and am getting to know you more now 🙂 You always have such wonderful recipes and awesome photos! Looking forward to many more years 🙂 Love this tomato basil soup – perfect for a chilly day like today 🙂

    1. Aww… thanks so much Kelly! So glad we found each other too girl. It has been great getting to know you and watching your blog grow! 🙂

  37. Avatar photo
    Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor

    Happy anniversary! I am so glad that I discovered your blog last year and can’t wait to see what you come up with next. It is always fun going back and looking at old pictures and it is amazing how much you have progressed over the past year. Creamy tomato basil soup is one of my favorites! Congratulations, Krista!

    1. Thanks so much Ashley, I have loved getting to know you this past year. Looking at your site has always encouraged me to press on and do better, especially photography wise. Thanks for the words of encouragement!

      Hope you get a chance to try the soup!

  38. Avatar photo
    Lisa@ Cooking with Curls

    Happy Anniversary Krista!! Wow, you are definitely a pro with food photography…your photos are amazing! I still have not made tomato soup, maybe I should give it a try this weekend. Enjoy your special day…or week if you stretch it out. 😉 Cheers to the next year!!

    1. You totally need to try it, you will be surprised at how easy it is and will never go back once you make it Lisa. 🙂

      Thanks so much for the sweet compliments Lisa, I so appreciate it. You always make me smile and leave my day a little brighter!

  39. Avatar photo
    Gloria // Simply Gloria

    My boys LOVE tomato soup. Especially made up like this one! I so wish I could have a bowl of this this morning. The color just looks so gorgeous! Sharing on FB today… and of course, pinning and printing out!
    So excited for the FB Flash Giveaway on Sat! So excited for you… happy anniversary in the bloggy world! xo

    1. Thanks Gloria, it is one of our favorites too. Nothing better than fresh homemade tomato soup! 🙂 YUM… Thanks for sharing and the blogversary wishes, you are too sweet, friend! Excited for the giveaway too!

  40. Avatar photo
    Chris @ Shared Appetite

    1) Congratulations on 1 year of blogging Krista! That’s fantastic!
    2) Isn’t it crazy how much we learn about food photography in such a short amount of time?! It’s such a fun and rewarding journey. I love looking back and my beginning photos because, well, it shows me how much I’ve improved. Bravo to you!
    3) I want this tomato-basil soup right now. It’s perfect on a cold, winter, snowy day like today!
    4) I usually use cream in my tomato-basil soup, but totally LOVE this idea of using cream cheese! SO creative!

    1. 1.) Thanks! Crazy its already been a year, but at the same time I feel like its been way longer with all the stuff I’ve learned!
      2.) Yes, totally agree. Gives you a sense of accomplishment when you can physically see the difference. What photography books really helped you grow your skills because your shots are amazing!
      3.) Wish I had more left over, but I scarfed it down. Otherwise, I like to share so I would send you some. 🙂
      4.) You totally need to try the cream cheese thing, works like a charm. 🙂

  41. Avatar photo
    Deb@ Cooking on the Front Burner

    Happy Anniversary Friend! So glad to have gotten to know you this year! Your photos are fantastic… I think you are doing great in all aspects of blogging. I tend to compare too but have gotten better at just trying to do my own thing and making my own niche. I’ve always wanted to make a tomato soup and this one sounds perfect. Pinning and sharing!

    1. Thanks so much Deb, it has been amazing getting to know you too. Especially over the past couple of days, you are incredible!!!

      Thank you for being so encouraging all the time, it means the world!

  42. Avatar photo
    Zainab @ Blahnik Baker

    First of all this soup is just making me drool!! Just what I need on this snow storm day. I love the progression in photos too that you shared 🙂

    Congratulations on your blog anniversary!! You have accomplished so much in one short year and that only speaks to how talented and amazing you are. I’m so HAPPY I found your blog and now getting to know you as a friend!!! Always love your recipes and your pictures…well always drool worthy!!

    PS: When you find that time management balance, please share your tips with us. That’s my biggest battle right now.

    PPS: You will be happy to know your paleo braised beef was requested by the Mr for our special dinner tonight! So I am making it AGAIN!

    1. Glad its making you drool, thats the goal. Well, maybe not the drool part, cuz thats just gross but the hungry part. 🙂

      Thanks so much on the congratulations, I have loved getting to know you Zainab. You already make me smile with your fun witty comments and your recipes are always killer.

      P.S. still working on the time management thing, but I actually make myself a schedule {almost like a work schedule} and that has definitely helped me stay more focused! 🙂

      PSS. Love that your hubbie requested it and you are making it AGAIN!!! Awesomeness!

  43. Avatar photo
    Amy | Club Narwhal

    Krista, tomato soup is my all time favorite and your version looks amazing. I am also a learner by nature and the world of blogging has encouraged me to learn so many new things. Congrats on one year, can’t wait to see what you have in store for year 2!

    1. I know right! There is always something new to learn when it comes to blogging. Sometimes it can be so frustrating and overwhelming but once you figure it out its so rewarding. 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by Amy and the sweet comment.

  44. Congrats, Krista on a year of blogging. I know I’m not the only one surprised that you’re such a newbie because your site looks fantastic! I’d have never guessed. I recently resigned from my job to be at home with my kids too. It’s fun, but squeezing in blogging time has been really difficult. Any tips?

    1. Thanks so much Jelli, glad I look older than I am.. bloggy speaking. 🙂 hehe

      Tips are, its hard. I usually take my photos right before I’m putting dinner out on the table so it gets a little crazy. I try to get all my photos edited and the recipe written over the weekends when the hubbie is home so that during the week all I need to do is write the actually post part. That has really helped and saved time. Plus, I have like 10 drafts just sitting waiting to be published which is really nice. 🙂 Other than that, just find out what you can handle and stick with that. I found that I could handle 3 recipes a week, M W F and thats what I’ve done instead of trying to do one everyday bc I would much rather spend time playing with my little guy than writing a post.
      Hope that helps, otherwise, I’m just an email away. 🙂 Hugs!

  45. Avatar photo
    Julie @ This Gal Cooks

    Girl, your photos even looked good when you first started! Ha, mine were horrible. 🙂 Of course, I LOVE all of your photos now. They are great. And this soup looks wonderful. Just want to dive right in and eat a bowl of it. Pinned. Happy anniversary to you! So glad to have met you through blogging, Krista. 🙂

    1. haha.. oh.. you just wait. I went through my recipe index and there are definitely some horrid ones that I will be retaking just because I can’t stand looking at the old photo. But I appreciate you saying that, you are always so sweet. 🙂

      Julie, you have been incredible through this blogging journey. You were the first one who reached out to me and helped me find a “bloggy community” and for that I will be forever grateful. You advice and wisdom have been invaluable! So glad that I met you and can’t wait to finally meet you face to face! (not in a creepy way of course.. hehe) 🙂

  46. Avatar photo
    Emily @ It Bakes Me Happy

    I love Tomato Basil Soup Krista, happy anniversary Krista! Pinning this to try soon 🙂

  47. Happy 1 year anniversary and Happy Valentines Day. Looking to making this recipe. I made spaghetti squash last week. I tossed butter, garlic and veggies. Uncle Tom loved it. He told me to make it again. Thanks for the recipe.

    1. Awww.. thanks Aunt Gale its crazy to think that it has already been a year!

      The spaghetti squash with butter, garlic, and veggies sounds awesome, glad Uncle Tom liked it. 🙂 Hope you guys are staying warm up there and your enjoying “retired” life. 🙂 Love you!

  48. This looks so yummy and perfect for these cold days Brrrrrr! I love homemade tomato soup! I will be making this!

      1. This looks like a great soup! If I could make a suggestion, cooking the crushed red pepper with the onion will vaporize the pepper and burn your lungs/eyes. Plus it is easier to taste for the right amount of you add it to the soup later.






  49. Avatar photo
    Melanie @ Carmel Moments

    Looks awesome. I’m such a sucker for tomato soup. I’ve created an entire Pinterest board dedicated just to Tomato Soup. That’s how much I enjoy it. Definitely will be adding yours. 🙂

    1. haha… me too Melanie theres just something about tomato soup that screams.. comfort. Totally loving that you have a pinterest board dedicated just to that, you are more “hard core” than me. 🙂