Hidden Network Tomato Soup with Cream Swirl

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-14 · Updated 2026-04-14

A classic tomato soup where a creamy swirl is hidden within the sauce, creating a subtle, velvety contrast without altering the soup's appearance. This american-inspired soups ready in about 45 minutes pairs peeled and diced tomatoes, medium, finely chopped onion, medium, grated carrot for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs, peeled and diced tomatoes
• 1 medium, finely chopped onion
• 1 medium, grated carrot
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large pot, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat, add 1 medium chopped onion and 1 medium grated carrot, and cook for 6 minutes until soft and translucent.
2. Step 2: Add 2 lbs peeled and diced tomatoes, 2 cups chicken broth, 1 tsp dried basil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes until tomatoes break down completely and the soup thickens slightly.
3. Step 3: Remove from heat, let cool slightly, then stir in 1/4 cup heavy cream until fully incorporated (the cream will not be visible). Return to low heat for 2 minutes to warm through without curdling.