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San Marzano Tomato Soup

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This San Marzano Tomato Soup is the read deal!  A recipe ‘borrowed’ from a Seattle area restaurant that has a big tomato taste!

A big bowl of San Marzano Tomato soup with tomatoes in the background

 

Washington State is blessed with a wonderful wine country.  There are over  690 wineries and growing!   In order for us Seattle folks to enjoy the bounty  and not drive the 2 hours over the mountains where the wineries are located – 90 of those wineries have tasting rooms located in a little town just east of Seattle called Woodinville.  And here is where the fun begins!  There are restaurants, tastings, concerts and beautiful venues to wander while you sip, sip, sip away a rainy Sunday!

Our favorite restaurant is Purple – a beautiful little cafe located in the heart of Woodinville.  Fresh food, wonderful wine and our favorite – San Marzano Tomato Soup.  Now I did not ask them for this recipe, and I’m not sure  they would share – but I just happen to know somebody, who knows somebody and I was able to get the recipe! (thank you Laura, my secret food spy! 🙂

Sometimes these pirated recipes don’t always turn out, but I’m happy to say, this one was spot on!   The secret is canned San Marzano tomatoes – please spend the few extra bucks to get the good Italian kind.  I use Cento brand.

There is a lot of controversy in the tomato world (like there is one…a tomato world I mean.) on whether there is a real difference in taste between regular canned tomatoes and Italian San Marzano’s.  For me – there is. I’ve used both and the Marzano have a deeper, richer flavor and better color.  There are some copy cat brands out there.  Safeway now carries it’s own brand called  “Marzano Type” tomatoes, but I have not tried them.  They are considerably cheaper – would love to know if anyone has used them or an equivalent.

This makes a big old batch – eat half and freeze the rest.  It’s healthy and very low in calorie. Vegan and Gluten free.

Notes to make this San Marzano Tomato Soup

  • Use a good extra virgin olive oil. Do not substitute this ingredient.
  • I used an immersion blender but a table top blender may give you a more smoother texture (truer to the restaurant’s recipe).  I think this soup is meant to be smoother….I’d like to try my table top blender next time.

Looking for more soup recipes? You can see them all HERE!

Marzano Tomato Soup

An authentic Tomato Soup that is packed with flavor!
4.22 from 14 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Author: Kathi & Rachel

Ingredients

  • 3 cups yellow onion diced
  • 1/4 cup garlic chopped (about one whole head)
  • 2 tablespoons plus 1/3 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil - use a good one
  • 1 teaspoon red chile flakes
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 cup good white wine
  • 4 28 ounce cans Authentic Marzano Tomatoes such as Cento
  • 1 cup packed basil leaves - sliced in chiffonade style

Instructions

  • Saute onion, garlic and chili flakes in two tablespoons olive oil. Add a pinch or two of salt and cook until soft, about 10-12 minutes.
  • Add wine and simmer, reducing liquid until almost dry.
  • Add tomatoes, 1/3 cup olive oil and sugar.
  • Bring back to a low simmer.
  • Add basil. Salt and pepper to taste. Cook another 10 minutes or so until basil is soft.
  • Puree the sauce until smooth. (You can use a blender for best results but an immersion blender will work just as well.)
  • Serve with additional basil for garnish.

Nutrition

Calories: 123kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Sodium: 12mg | Potassium: 174mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 100IU | Vitamin C: 7.7mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 0.4mg

 

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Jim Olund says

    I use Cento “Certified” San Marzano Whole Peeled Tomatoses when I make marinara sauce. What type do you recommend for the soup. ?
    The same or diced, crushed, puree? Thannks

    Reply

  3. Mara says

    This recipe looks delicious. I’m going to try that type of tomato to see the flavor difference. My one question is how you alter this to be Whole30 compliant without changing the flavor. Neither sugar or wine are allowed on the Whole30 program. Thanks in advance!

    Reply

  5. Ann says

    I love Purple! My husband and I had our very first date at Purple in Kirkland almost 9 years ago. We were just there today and I had the Purple Chop Salad with San Marzano Tomato Soup! I actually found this recipe while searching for the recipe online – so glad I found you! I’m definitely a new fan and I’ll be making this recipe soon! Thank you!! xoxo

    Reply

  6. Marien says

    I have a sweet white. Would that work or do I need a dry white?

    And thanks for posting! Can’t wait to make this

    Reply

    • Kathi Kirk says

      Hi Marien – I’d be really hesitant on the sweet wine – depends on how sweet. If it’s a Reisling I’d pass and just go with chicken stock but if it’s a sweeter variety of a dry wine like Sauvignon Blanc then I’d say it’s fine. Hope that helps!
      Kathi

      Reply

  9. Bill says

    I love tomato soup and this recipe looks so good, Kathi. I agree with you that San Marzano tomatoes are worth the extra cost. All you need is a grilled cheese and this soup would be the ideal dinner for me. Great post!

    Reply
4.22 from 14 votes (12 ratings without comment)

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