Easy, Make Ahead Blender Tomato Soup
This easy, make-ahead tomato soup recipe comes together in less than five minutes! Whip up a batch in your blender and have it all week long for a wholesome after-school snack for your kids.
Ok I’m a weirdo. This is going to sound really strange, but- I just feel like I need to talk to you guys! It feels like it’s been too long, since I really, you know, talked to you. You, invisible friends out there.
How are things? How is your end of summer/beginning of Fall going?
Last week was back to school week here. My older son is back in school, second grade now! And my little guy is off to kindergarten. What a milestone. Watching him walk in through those huge glass doors put a lump in my throat.
So, I’ve been a mom for 7-1/2 years now. Sounds like a long time but it sure doesn’t feel that way. I remember when I first came home from the hospital with my first-born. My mom kept asking me how I was doing. I was like “It’s hard right now, I’m learning the ropes, but I know it will get easier once I get the hang of it.”
What can I say. I was wrong. You never really get the hang of it. Or rather, just when you think you do, everything changes. Just when you get the hang of nursing, they’re on to solids. Just when you think you’ve got their sleep schedule down, they start teething. Just when you think you know what they like to eat, they change their minds. You master teaching them to put on their own shoes, only to face the next challenge of potty training. And then ABC’s & 123’s. Put your dirty clothes in the hamper, please (times infinity). Then bullies, homework, cavities, sports, dating…
I made mistakes at this time last year. Failures I want to learn from. They would come home from school, scatter backpacks, shoes and jackets all over the downstairs, eat snacks on top of snacks, and watch tv until boredom had them picking fights with each other. I was always busy with other chores, and I would get irritated and nag at him to start his homework, but there were countless days where the folder didn’t get opened until after 7 pm.
I want to do better. I want to be the kind of mom that has everything under control.
We’re working on a new game plan for this year. Mornings and afternoons will get the real attention they deserve. Wholesome, healthy foods will be offered, right from the start. My day will be restructured, so they’ll have my full attention. Jackets on hooks, before anything else. Sit down, eat this food I made for you, tell me about your day, show me your homework folder and let’s get this out of the way so the rest of the afternoon can be yours.
There will be extra-curricular activities. We don’t live in the kind of neighborhood where kids come knocking at the door to play. Winter was tough last year. They got stir crazy. I didn’t know to expect it, and before I knew it, we were in the thick of it and all the signups were over and done with.
Jill from Foodtastic Mom inspired me to do better with nightly reading. We are wrapping up The One and Only Ivan; reading aloud at bedtime has quickly become a routine that we all look forward to. I’m keeping my tablet queued up with more great books to keep up the momentum. If you have any suggestions I’d love to hear; leave me a comment. I’ve got two boys, 7 and 5, if you didn’t already know 😉
I’m feeling good about my New {school} Year’s resolutions. But I have no doubt that some new challenge will arise in the very near future.
What should I expect next? How can I be prepared for it? What are your tricks for balancing home, career, and motherhood? How do you squeeze it all in to just 24 hours? Do you have a difficult time transitioning your kids into a new routine at this time of year? Do you set New {School} Year’s Resolutions too? Are you a weirdo?
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Easy, Make-Ahead Blender Tomato Soup
Ingredients
- 32 ounces (907.19 ml) chicken stock
- 28 ounces (793.79 ml) tomato puree
- 2 cups (226 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup (119 g) heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 pound (226.8 g) ditalini pasta, (cooked)
- 1/2 pound (226.8 g) sweet Italian sausage,, removed from casing, rolled into mini meatballs, and cooked
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients (except for the garnishes) in a blender and blend until smooth.
- Store in large, airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, or in the freezer for several months.
- Reheat in the microwave, garnish, and serve.
Such a great recipe!
Thank you so much Shihka!
YUM!!! What a great recipe!! It looks so good 🙂 PERF for fall!!
Yay! I’m so happy you like it, Cailee Joy! Thanks so much for the sweet comment!
This is waaaaay beyond Campbell’s tomato soup, which I will have to admit blighted my feelings about tomato soup for literally decades. This is REAL tomato soup. Good planning for all in regard to the make ahead situation. Just having a Mom to come home to after school is pretty awesome. I started out mothering with two step kids 5 yr and 6 yrs. I was so naïve that I was shocked that they didn’t clean the ring out of the bathtub when they took a bath. I am laughing as I am typing this and recalling my younger self.
Oh my! Not only do my kids NOT clean the bathtub, they don’t even bother to throw their trash away most of the time! I swear, they treat our living room like it’s their own personal garbage can. I’m constantly nagging at them. Thank you for the sweet comment and the encouragement! I can see why you’re wary of tomato soups, I think Campbell’s definitely formed some prejudices for me too!
Allie, even though I’m not going back to school, I love fall because it’s when I just habitually take stock of my life and try to make little tweaks to make things run smoother. I love the idea of dedicating more time to your mornings and afternoons so they are not only more productive but more enjoyable (especially if this lovely soup is involved)! Also, I loved The One & Only Ivan!
Aw, I know right! Such an amazing book. I loved when the zookeepers showed him the video of Ruby, and he puts his hand on the glass and looks into their eyes! I teared up. Thanks so much for the sweet comment and the encouragement, Amy! xo
This soup looks so fresh and easy to make! I love tomato soup 🙂
Thanks so much, Sugar and Cinnamon! I do too, it’s definitely a favorite around here!
I am loving this tomato soup. It’s one of my favorites! I also love how simple it is. Dinner will be served in 7 minutes, perfect!
How ’bout it, right? I love that too. Especially since my boys are ravenously hungry every day after school. I give them this right off the bus and then they eat AGAIN with the hubs and I at dinner.
Oh, Allie, I wish I could say it gets better…but you’re always on mom duty no matter how old your children are. Mine did well with a schedule…and we always started with a snack and homework. Tackling homework later in the day when they got tired could be a nightmare. We ALL mess up, but you’re doing a terrific job just by caring so much. Just make sure to take time with other moms to talk, laugh, and have some fun! xo
PS…my daughter adores tomato soup! None of mine have been up to her standards. I’m going to try yours out 🙂
Thanks for the encouragement, Liz! I definitely learned my lessons the hard way last year. Just striving to always do better. Hope you and your daughter enjoy the soup! xoxo
I like the effort you put into making your children healthy meals, and I would have never thought to add worcestershire sauce.
Thank you Jamie! Well I’m a food person so it’s always been important to me that my kids eat well. Not everyone knows how to cook but I do, so I feel like I owe it to them. And the Worcestershire is great in there- it really balances the acidity of the tomatoes and gives a nice savoriness. Hope you get a chance to try it! 😀
I love all different kinds of soup, but tomato is my favorite. Hands down. This simple soup has just stolen my heart and will be making an appearance ASAP.
I don’t have any kids yet, but I am so glad you shared your thoughts and gave me a real glimpse at what it means to be a mommy. I bet you’re an amazing mom, Allie. XOXO
Thanks Kathi! It’s a hard job and I never really feel like I’m doing enough. But hopefully I’ll just keep getting better at it! Thanks for the sweet comment and I hope you enjoy the soup! 🙂
Love tomato soup! And I love making it in my Vitamix. So simplifies my life. I even used my Vitamix for my pasta sauce this year. Cuts the work in half.
Look gorgeous girl. Pinned.
Happy Friday!
Thank you so much Melanie! Ya the blender is great for soups and sauces. I do a broccoli soup in there too that’s just as simple. Hope you have a great weekend, friend!
After reading this post, I want to give you a bear virtual hug! Hats off to you and to all the moms who go out of the way to make sure that their kids are happy and at the same time get the household work done! And to top it all, looking after your blog is absolutely no joke and you do it sooooo BRILLIANTLY!!! I’m so sure it must be difficult to manage everything but you do it phenomenally, Allie! :* This post also makes me feel so guilty about taking my mum for granted on most occasions! Thank you SOOOOO much for writing this post and getting this amazing conversation started! :* :* <3 This soup, Allie, is soooooooo fantastic!!!!!! I'm thinking of surprising my mum by making this quick, easy treat when she comes home from work today!!!!
Aw that’s so nice Samina! Definitely treat your mom, she’s got a hard job! The most difficult part of it all is just feeling unappreciated. As hard as it is to work my day around the kids and sacrifice for them, it’s way harder when they fight me on it. Which happens most of the time! They don’t want to eat the food I make them, or talk to me about their day, or listen to me read a book to them. It makes me want to chuck it all and just let them fend for themselves! Lol but of course I can’t do that. Thanks for the virtual hug and hope you have a really great weekend!
Oh Allie, this is such a beautiful and heartfelt post. Moms really do have the toughest jobs and we have to constantly adapt and stay on top of all the different stages that our kids go through because like you said – as soon as we get the hang of it – everything changes. I have been struggling with getting the hang of anything ever since we had Evelyn and feel like I am failing miserably. I knew it would be tough – but boy it really does change the whole ball game when you become a mother of two versus one especially since our oldest is 3 and at the stage where nothing pleases him. All we can do is our best and even though things may not go according to plan – that’s totally okay too. You are an amazing mom and I love your game plan and that you shared this with us. You have inspired me to just take it day by day and trust that everything will be okay. Thank you so much for sharing your candid feelings with us as well as this simple and beautiful soup. I love how easy it is to whip and it sounds delicious! *hugs*
Hugs to you too sweetie! I totally feel what you are going through! When my youngest was born, the older one was not quite 2, still a baby really, and he did not take well to the change. It was SO HARD, for a couple of years, and it still is at times. I just feel so bad for them both. The seven-year old, because he had to “grow up” too fast, and the little one, because he just takes so much abuse from his brother. Add to it that I’m always pulled in too many directions, and it just feels like I’m doing a crappy job all around. Here’s to trying to do better, and hoping it gets easier at some point!
Allie, no mom has it all under control. it’s a facade! Being a mom is hard work. I just yelled at Phoebe yesterday because I was tired and she asked me to make her something special for lunch and I did and she ate 2 bites and left everything. I lost it when I opened her lunch bag. What I told myself this morning: thank you God that each day is a new day and our kids are resilient b/c I fail all the time. I think all we can do is make sure they know we love them and yes, like you said, spend time with them. after school, it’s all them. . with healthy snacks and homework. by the way, you should read this article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kristen-howerton/sometimes-i-ignore-my-children-and-thats-ok_b_5662529.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000037. As working mothers, we have a hard thing to try to balance. working but also making sure we are not neglecting our kids since we are home. I loved this part, “I want my kids to understand that I have passions and interests, too… beyond just being a mom. I love being a mom. But I also want my kids (and especially my girls) to understand that this is not my only role.” anyway, we can talk more in person. . but I have no tricks and probably don’t sleep enough but above all things, I just want my kids to know without a doubt that they are loved and supported and I want to give them my full attention as much as possible when they get home from school and into the evening. We have to just take it one day at a time. love you and see you soon!
Aw, thank you for the encouragement Alice! I know you are right, there’s no such thing as perfection. It’s just such an uphill climb most of the time. I was just telling Samina, it’s just the WORST when they don’t appreciate the sacrifices. It probably would have been hard for me not to yell too in that situation. It’s bad enough when you are trying SO HARD and then when they fight you on top of it, it can just be infuriating. I swear, it makes me want to give up and just let them have at it. But of course that is no way to parent. Thanks for the great article, I’ll definitely have a read, and thank you again for the kind words. TGIF, for realz!!!
Every year I get older, the more I admire and respect moms. Being responsible for little people plus yourself plus the house is no joke! Your back to school resolutions are awesome. Practical and thoughtful at the same time. I can’t wait to hear how it goes! I have a feeling they are going to love coming home, even when they don’t want to do school, I think they’ll appreciate getting it out of the way. Staying motivated is rough, as a mom and a student! But hugs, soups, and chocolate make all things good 🙂
I can NOT believe how easy this soup is! You weren’t kidding when you said easy. My siblings would love how creamy it is. Pinning!
Thanks for the pin Mary Frances! And for the kind words too. Hopefully these new resolutions will soon become a habit for us all- for right now it’s kicking our butts! Sigh, growing pains. Have a great weekend sweetie!
I’m a live-in grandma to two grands….16 & 8, both of whom just groan when we have soup. I make home-made minestrone, beef with barley, split pea…no matter which one. That doesn’t stop me since the mom and dad are big fans. The kids are told eat it or ya’ gets nothin’. This soup will be added to my recipe book. I will be freezing it in batches and having it after a gym work-out when a smoothie won’t do during the cooler months here in AZ. Thanks.
That’s such a great idea, Erica- it really is a lot like a hot and savory smoothie! I’m so happy you like the recipe and hugs to you, mom and dad, and the grands! Thanks so much for dropping by and for the great feedback; I hope to see you here again!
Oh my goodness, what a sweet surprise to be mentioned in this fantastic post. Thank you so much Allie!!! How are liking the book? I totally hear you on the ever changing landscape that is parenting. We’ve been at it for about 9 1/2 years now (Caleb turns 10 in January) and while some things are easier with them (more independent, can entertain themselves, getting the hang of the homework routine) I think we are in the calm before the adolescent storm! At least that’s what some of my older mom friends tell me. And don’t be hard on yourself… every mom is doing her best and our strengths and weaknesses are just different. The fact that we CARE to improve/upgrade our routines and habits means we’re doing just fine 🙂 MY struggles include getting myself better organized, with systems for my clutter so that (hopefully) my children don’t inherit my, um “creative” messiness.
I’ll be adding this soup to our rotation… and I love that you included the additions of the pasta and little sausage meatballs. My kids would love to come home to this soup… much better than the can of Chef Boyardee ravioli I sometimes let them have 😉
Thanks so much for the encouragement, Jill! Your post really was inspiring to me. We finished up Ivan and my older son and I both LOVED it. The little one had some trouble. We’re on to The Mouse and the Motorcycle now; I hoped it might be a little more relatable for the 5 year old. There are a few more illustrations, which seem to help, but I’m wondering if maybe reading slightly above his level is not such a great move. What are your thoughts on this? Initially I thought it might help to challenge him but I’m afraid it’s just not grabbing him. But on the other hand, when I ask him questions it seems like he’s comprehending and retaining…? He’s just so wiggly and he never stops whispering to himself. Anyhow thanks again for the pep talk and I hope you have a great weekend!
When Caleb was 7 and Hannah was 5 I’d mostly read to them separately and something shorter to Hannah. That being said, Caleb was always my little fidgeter. I’d be reading a chapter book convinced he wasn’t paying attention but every time I asked him a question, he new exactly what was going on. So I kept at it. And as we are now reading the 5th Harry Potter book he always wants me to keep reading long after I am ready to be finished for the evening. I just started the third with Hannah but we all read together now and he listens with her/she listened with him. As I am typing this I realize I might be sounding a bit fanatical about the whole thing, lol. But it’s one of those things that as a reader myself I enjoy it and that was something I knew I wanted to make as bonding time with my kids. I even read to both of them while I was pregnant, seriously! Anyway for your little one maybe drop down the level a bit and the time… But I think it’s great for them, no matter how fidgety! Enjoy your weekend 🙂
Thanks Jill and I don’t think you sound fanatical at all- everyone always talks about how important it is. I’ve been hearing that ever since they were babies!