Tuna and Tomato Soup (Printable Version)

Hearty soup with tuna, tomatoes, and vegetables in a flavorful broth ready in 25 minutes.

# What You Need:

→ Seafood

01 - 1 can (5 oz) tuna in olive oil, drained and flaked

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 medium carrot, diced
05 - 1 celery stalk, diced
06 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
07 - 2 cups vegetable broth
08 - 1 tbsp tomato paste

→ Herbs & Seasonings

09 - 1 tsp dried oregano
10 - 1 tsp dried basil
11 - 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, optional
12 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Pantry

13 - 2 tbsp olive oil

→ Garnish

14 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or basil, optional
15 - Crusty bread, optional

# Step-by-Step:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
04 - Pour in diced tomatoes and vegetable broth. Add oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir to combine.
05 - Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 8-10 minutes until vegetables are tender.
06 - Add flaked tuna and simmer for another 2-3 minutes to heat through.
07 - Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed.
08 - Ladle soup into bowls, garnish with chopped parsley or basil, and serve with crusty bread if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The soup comes together in under 30 minutes but tastes like it simmered all afternoon, perfect for those nights when you forgot to plan dinner but still want something that feels intentional.
  • Every ingredient pulls double duty with the tuna adding protein while the tomatoes create a rich base that makes this humble soup feel surprisingly luxurious.
02 -
  • Adding the tuna too early will cause it to disintegrate and become unpleasantly tough, so always save it for the final few minutes of cooking.
  • The soup actually tastes better the next day after the flavors have had time to meld, making it perfect for batch cooking and enjoying throughout the week.
03 -
  • Reserve a small spoonful of the oil from the tuna can to drizzle over each bowl just before serving, creating a beautiful sheen and adding a rich mouthfeel to the first spoonful.
  • Keep the heat moderate throughout cooking to preserve the delicate flavors, especially when the tuna is added, as high heat can give fish a tough texture and overwhelm its natural sweetness.
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