Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 shallots, thinly sliced
- 6 cloves garlic, crushed
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning mix
- 4 sun dried tomatoes
- 28 oz canned tomatoes (whole, diced or chopped)
- 2 cups vegetable stock
- 1.5 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
Dairy
- 1/3 cup mascarpone cheese
- 1/2 cup parmesan, pecorino or Italian hard cheese
Instructions
- Saute Shallots: Heat the butter in a saucepan over low heat, then add the thinly sliced shallots. Cook gently until they become soft and translucent, which helps build a sweet aromatic base for the soup.
- Add Aromatics and Herbs: Stir in the crushed garlic, sun dried tomatoes, and Italian seasoning mix. Continue cooking, mixing through until the fragrant scents of garlic and herbs are fully released, enhancing the soup’s depth of flavor.
- Incorporate Tomato Paste: Add the tomato paste and saute for one to two minutes. This step deepens the tomato flavor. If the pan looks too dry or sticky, add a splash of vegetable stock, extra butter, or oil to maintain moisture and prevent burning.
- Simmer Soup: Pour in the canned tomatoes, vegetable stock, sugar, and balsamic vinegar. Turn up the heat to bring the mixture to a gentle bubble, then reduce the heat and let it simmer covered for 20 minutes or longer. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and encourage even cooking.
- Puree Soup: Use an immersion blender directly in the pan to puree the soup until smooth. Alternatively, carefully transfer the soup to a jug blender, puree it, and return it to the pan for the next step.
- Add Cheeses: When ready to serve, stir in the mascarpone cheese and grated parmesan (or pecorino/Italian hard cheese) until they melt completely and create a creamy texture, enriching the soup’s flavor and mouthfeel.
- Serve and Store: Serve the soup hot. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months for convenient future meals.
Notes
- For a smoother texture, use an immersion blender to puree directly in the pot to minimize cleanup.
- Adjust the amount of sugar based on the acidity of your canned tomatoes for balanced flavor.
- Use vegan or lactose-free cheese alternatives to make this soup suitable for specific dietary needs.
- Adding a splash of cream or coconut milk at the end can further enhance creaminess if desired.
- This soup pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or a grilled cheese sandwich for a hearty meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
