Tomatoes are one of the most versatile foods on the market. They have so many different uses, aside from just chopping them up and putting them into a nice garden salad. Two of the most popular uses of tomatoes are using them for tomato sauce or even tomato soup. While the two look similar in color and have the same base ingredient, they are incredibly different in terms of use and dish preparation.
Let's explore the differences between tomato soup and tomato sauce, including their nutritional differences and when to use each one.
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Tomato Soup vs Tomato Sauce: The 4 Key Differences
The primary difference between tomato soup and tomato sauce is their texture. Tomato sauce is thicker and made by simmering tomatoes while tomato soup is a thinner consistency and pureed to a smooth texture.
While both tomato sauce and soup are tomato-based, they're used in different foods with tomato sauce being used in dishes like pizza, casseroles, and pasta whereas tomato soup is often a standalone dish. The accompanying ingredients of the two can differ as well. Tomato soup will often have cream, croutons, and herps while tomato sauce ingredients are primarily onions, garlic, and peppers.
Let's examine each separately.
What is Tomato Soup
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Tomato soup is a liquid dish that is made from tomatoes that are blended or pureed. Many other spices and ingredients are added to the tomatoes in order to create the soup. Onions, garlic, herbs, and other spices usually make up the additives of tomato soup in order to create a well-balanced flavor pallet in the soup.
The History
Tomato soup actually dates all the way back to ancient civilizations, all the way back to the 16th century. However, modern tomato soup was brought into popularity by Dr. John Dorrance, a chemist who worked for the Campbell Soup Company.
What is Tomato Soup Used For
Tomato soup can be a dish in itself, as an appetizer, or even as an entree. When served at a restaurant, tomato soup is usually given with bread or crackers on the side, sometimes even croutons. Another use for tomato soup is a dip. Many individuals like to use tomato soup as a dip for a grilled cheese sandwich. Tomato soup is often used as a base for other recipes, as well. For example, using it as a base for a marinade of meat or chicken. It can also be used as a base for many other types of soups, such as minestrone soup.
How to Make Tomato Soup
You will need to gather your ingredients together before beginning the cooking process.
- Butter
- Yellow onion
- Garlic
- Crushed tomatoes (a can is fine)
- Chicken stock
- Basil
- Sugar
- Black pepper
- Salt
- Heavy cream (for vegan recipes you can use cashew cream)
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter and sautee the onions until cooked and fragrant. When cooked until soft, add fresh garlic to the pan. Add in the chicken stock, crushed tomatoes, basil (chopped), sugar, salt, and black pepper. Bring the soup to a boil. Reduce heat and cover, allowing the soup to simmer. Once the soup is hot, you can stir in heavy cream to thicken it (optional).
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What is Tomato Sauce?
Tomato sauce is a thicker liquid that is used as a topping or a base for many different types of recipes. The sauce is made from cooked tomatoes. It is used in dishes all over the world and can come in many different varieties and types. Some tomato sauces are plain, made from just cooked tomatoes, while others are made with spices and herbs. Tomato sauce is a staple in many kitchens, specifically Italian kitchens.
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The History
The history behind tomato sauce dates all the way back to ancient civilizations in South America. Many people from the Aztec culture used tomatoes in their dishes, as the tomato plant was a staple there and was outsourced from South America. Many European explorers ended up bringing the tomato plant back to Europe from their explorations, which then led to tomatoes being used in Italian kitchens. Over time, many Italian chefs began to use tomatoes in their kitchens, primarily for sauces and similar dishes. In America, Chef Ettore Boiardi brought tomato sauce into popularity.
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What Tomato Sauce is Used For
Tomato sauce is used for a variety of dishes and things in the kitchen. Many times, tomato sauce is used in combination with other ingredients to add to a dish, sauce up a dish, or even as a side dipping sauce.
Pasta Sauce
Tomato sauce is primarily used to top pasta dishes in a plethora of ways. Aside from just having pasta with tomato sauce alone, tomato sauce tends to work as a base for a majority of pasta sauces. Examples of this include marinara sauce, bolognese sauce, and even vodka sauce.
Pizza Sauce
Pizza is a staple of many people's diets. Tomato sauce is the base topping for pizza, splashed right on top of the dough. Many pizza sauces are straight-up tomato sauce, while other pizza sauces are mixed with herbs and different spices.
Stews and Chilis
Tomato sauce is both a base and an additive in stews and chilis. For example, many people who make beef chili use tomato sauce in the chili to give it flavor and also thicken it up. There are often combinations of ingredients like beans and vegetables to give it more flavor and variety of texture.
Dips and Condiments
Who doesn't love mozzarella sticks? Many times, tomato sauce can be used as a dip or a condiment on the side of things. Mozzarella sticks and tomato sauce go hand-in-hand together. As well, garlic bread or cheesy bread can also be dipped into tomato sauce as a condiment.
How to Make Tomato Sauce
Making your own tomato sauce may seem stressful, but it's relatively easy if you have all of the right ingredients. You will need:
- Two cans of crushed tomatoes
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Sugar
- Garlic cloves
- Onion
To start, heat up the olive oil in a large saucepan. Next, add the onions and sautee them until they are transparent and cooked through. Add in the chopped garlic to flavor. Following this, add the crushed tomatoes along with the juices from the cans. Stir the sauce so that you can break up the chunks. Add in the salt, pepper, sugar, and any other spices you choose. Many people use oregano and basil in their tomato sauce. When you stir this in, lower the heat and bring the sauce to a simmer. Cook the sauce for around 30 minutes, stirring continuously.
Tomato Soup vs Tomato Sauce Nutrition: Comparing Calories, Vitamins, and More
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In general, both tomato soup and tomato sauce are light in calories. Tomato soup has about 80 calories per cup, although its calories can rise if cream is added to give it a more bisque-like quality. In fact, tomato bisque generally has more than double the calories of tomato soup.
Tomato sauce has more calories per ounce compared to tomato soup, with 140 calories per cup. However, its also used in more moderation as a topping in entrees like pizza or pasta. Both tomato soup and tomato sauce get most their calories from carbohydrates.
- 4-serving meals starting at $3.77 per serving (up to 25% cheaper than HelloFresh).
- Incredible variety with 10+ weekly meal options, delivered directly to you.
- Easy to prepare meals ready in 30-minutes or less.
The Bottom Line
- Tomato soup is lower in calories than tomato sauce; in fact, tomato soup isn't the worst choice for someone trying to lose weight.
- Tomato soup is typically thinner than tomato sauce, owing to tomato sauce's role in being a major part of many recipes.
- Tomato sauce is usually used as a part of a recipe, while tomato soup is generally eaten on its own or as a side.
Tomato sauce and tomato soup, while both tomato products, are very different. Tomato soup is used as a meal or an appetizer, as a standalone. However, tomato sauce is used alongside other food products, or as a sauce and base for primary dishes. Both are created out of tomatoes, but prepared differently, as well.
If you need to add a great tomato soup recipe to your cookbook, check this one out:
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Tomato Soup
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Ingredients
- 4 cups chopped fresh tomatoes
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 onion sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons white sugar, or to taste
Instructions
- Gather all the ingredients.
Combine the tomatoes, slices of onion, a few garlic cloves, and chicken broth in a stockpot over moderate heat. To mix the flavors, bring it to a gentle boil and cook for 20 minutes.
Remove it from the heat and pour the mixture into a big bowl or pan after passing it through a blender or food processor.
Melt the butter in the now-empty stockpot over medium heat. Make a roux by stirring in the flour and heating it until it reaches a medium brown color.
Stir in the remaining tomato mixture after gradually whisking in small amounts to prevent lumps. Add salt and sugar, and season to taste.
Serve hot or cold with your desired bread or croutons.
- Storing tomato soup: Refrigerate your homemade tomato soup in an airtight container. The soup will keep in the refrigerator for 3 – 4 days, or you can freeze tomato soup for up to 6 months in the deep freeze.