Easy Tomato Florentine Soup Recipe
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My recipe for Easy Tomato Florentine Soup is a family favorite in our home. This creamy dish combines convenient canned diced tomatoes, rich tomato paste, and fresh spinach to create something that tastes like it simmered all day but comes together in just 30 minutes.
What is Tomato Florentine Soup?
If you’ve ever wondered what makes a soup “Florentine,” you’re not alone! The term “Florentine” in cooking means “in the style of Florence, Italy” and traditionally refers to dishes that include spinach. So tomato florentine soup is simply a creamy tomato soup with spinach added in. The spinach gives this classic comfort food a nutritious boost and a beautiful pop of green color that makes it feel more grown-up than regular tomato soup.
This florentine tomato soup recipe takes your childhood favorite and gives it an elegant twist that’s still comforting and familiar. It’s like tomato soup went to culinary school!
Why I Love This Recipe
I first tried making this tomato florentine soup when I was looking for ways to sneak more vegetables into our family meals without anyone noticing. My family immediately fell in love with it because it tastes just as creamy and comforting as regular tomato soup, but with extra flavor and nutrition. Now it’s become our go-to meal for busy weeknights when we want something warm and satisfying that doesn’t take forever to make.
What makes this recipe so special is that it’s naturally lighter than many creamy tomato soups because it doesn’t rely on heavy cream for richness. Instead, the magic combination of canned diced tomatoes and tomato paste creates incredible depth of flavor that tastes like it simmered all day at nonna’s house. The natural sweetness of good tomatoes combined with the mild flavor of spinach creates the perfect balance. Even my picky eaters ask for seconds!
Key Ingredient Notes
While you’ll find the full ingredient list in the recipe card below, I wanted to highlight a few important ingredients:
- Canned Diced Tomatoes: I use good-quality diced tomatoes because they’re convenient and give the soup a nice chunky texture. Fire-roasted diced tomatoes add extra flavor if you can find them!
- Tomato Paste: This is the secret ingredient that makes this soup taste like nonna made it from scratch! The tomato paste adds incredible depth and richness that you just can’t get from tomatoes alone.
- Fresh Spinach: Baby spinach works best because it’s tender and wilts quickly. You can substitute frozen spinach, just make sure to thaw and squeeze out excess water first.
- Chicken or Vegetable Broth: Low-sodium broth gives you better control over the salt content. Vegetable broth makes this soup vegetarian-friendly!
- Chicken or Vegetable Broth: This creates the perfect base and helps thin the soup to just the right consistency. Low-sodium broth gives you better control over seasoning.
- Fresh Basil: This really makes the flavors pop! If you only have dried basil, use about 1/3 the amount.
How to Make Easy Tomato Soup
In a large soup pot or Dutch oven (6-7 qt), heat the butter and olive oil. Add the onions and saute for 3 minutes. Add the tomato paste, brown sugar, and diced tomatoes. Continue cooking until most of the juice has cooked off (12-15 minutes). Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
Using a blender, food processor, or immersion blender, puree the ingredients together until smooth. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Add the reserved tomato juice, broth, and bay leaves. Bring the soup to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for an additional 10 to 15 minutes.
Remove the bay leaves and stir in the cooked pasta, if using, spinach, and the sherry. Season with salt and pepper. Continue cooking until spinach is wilted. Serve with a garnish of Parmesan cheese, crackers, or croutons if desired.
Pro Tips for Making Perfect Tomato Florentine Soup
Before you head to the recipe card, here are some helpful tips I’ve learned from making this dish many times:
- Don’t Skip the Sautéing: Taking time to sauté the onions first builds a flavor foundation that makes all the difference in taste.
- Add Spinach at the End: Spinach wilts quickly, so add it in the last few minutes to keep it bright green and prevent it from getting mushy.
- Taste and Adjust: Every batch of tomatoes tastes different, so taste your soup and add a pinch of sugar if it’s too acidic, or a squeeze of lemon juice or sherry if it needs brightness.
- Don’t Boil Too Vigorously: Keep the soup at a gentle simmer to prevent the tomatoes from burning and becoming bitter.
- Blend for Smoothness: If you prefer a completely smooth and creamy soup, use an immersion blender, blender, or food processor to puree it to your liking.
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Serving Suggestions
This tomato florentine soup pairs wonderfully with a grilled cheese sandwich (try my Manchego grilled cheese!) and crusty sourdough bread for dipping. For a complete meal, I like to serve it with a simple side salad dressed with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. If you’re making this for a dinner party, try adding a dollop of pesto, a few crackers, homemade croutons, or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for a restaurant-style presentation!
To serve, simply ladle into bowls and top with fresh basil leaves or freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Don’t forget to have plenty of napkins handy for all that bread dipping!
Storage and Leftovers
This soup will keep well in the fridge for 3-4 days stored in an airtight container. To reheat, simply warm it gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. You might need to add a splash of broth if it gets too thick.
If you want to prep ahead, you can make the soup base (everything except the spinach) up to 2 days in advance. When ready to serve, reheat and stir in the spinach at the end. This recipe also freezes well for up to 3 months. To freeze, cool completely and store in freezer-safe containers. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop.
Variations to Try
- Make It Heartier (and kid-friendly): Add cooked pasta like fusilli or farfalle in the last 10 minutes of cooking for a more filling meal.
- Protein Power: Add cooked Italian sausage or shredded rotisserie chicken to make it even more substantial.
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for some heat.
- Extra Creamy: Stir in a splash of half-and-half or heavy cream at the end if you want a richer soup.
- Herb Garden: Try adding fresh oregano, thyme, or even a sprig of rosemary for different flavor profiles.
- Cheesy Goodness: Stir in some cream cheese or parmesan for extra richness.
Related Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoy this tomato florentine soup, I bet you’ll also love some of my other cozy soup recipes! My Chicken Wild Rice Soup uses similar techniques but with a heartier twist. For a quicker option, try my Ham and Bean Soup which comes together in just about the same time. And if you’re looking for something with a kick, my Best Chili Recipe is always a hit at gatherings and potlucks!
Don’t forget to pair this soup with my Manchego Grilled Cheese for the ultimate comfort food combination.
This Florentine tomato soup recipe is perfect for anyone looking to upgrade their soup game while keeping things simple and family-friendly. Once you try this homemade version, you’ll never want to go back to the canned stuff!
The combination of creamy comfort and nutritious spinach makes this easy Tomato Florentine Soup stand out from regular tomato soup. It’s proof that you can make something delicious and healthy without spending hours in the kitchen.
Please let me know in the comments if you try it and what you think! I love hearing how my recipes turn out in your kitchens.
Did you enjoy this recipe? Don’t forget to pin it for later and follow me on Pinterest for more delicious recipes like this one!
This Easy Tomato Florentine Soup recipe was first shared on April 23, 2015. It’s been updated to enhance our readers’ experience. No changes were made to the actual recipe.
On a cold rainy day like today, this will hit the spot! My husband loves tomato soup.
That soup looks amazing Julie! we love tomato soup, but this looks far better! 😀 I love how rich it looks, the flavours that have gone into it and then to eat it with your grilled cheese sandwich? Wonderful!!
Thank you so much Dini! The nice thing is that it’s also quick and easy!
Gorgeous soup! Beautiful photos!! There’s nothing quite like dunking a manchego toastie into a tomato soup. Thanks so much for sharing it with FF#65!
Thank you so much Effie!
Well, I’m hooked! I love a good tomato soup, especially when paired with a grilled cheese sandwich. Perfection. Every single one of your recipes looks absolutely divine and your photography is fabulous! So glad to have found your blog, looking forward to following along on your culinary adventures!
Wow thank you for such an amazing review! I’m also very thankful that you stopped by!
https://lins239.wordpress.com/2015/04/26/the-versatile-blogger-award/
I nominate you.