This comforting British-inspired tomato soup features a creamy base enriched with sweet potato and fresh basil, topped with homemade cheese dumplings. The cheesy dumplings cook right in the soup, creating pockets of melty goodness with every bite. It’s the perfect cozy meal, especially for cold days or family gatherings.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Soup:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 25 grams butter

• 1 onion, chopped

• ½ sweet potato, peeled and chopped

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, torn

• 2 (400g) cans chopped tomatoes

• 500ml chicken stock

• ½ teaspoon sugar

• 50ml single cream

For the Dumplings:

• 125g dried breadcrumbs

• ½ teaspoon baking powder

• 75g mature cheddar, grated

• 1 teaspoon mustard powder

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1 egg

• 50g cream cheese

Directions

1. Prepare the Soup: Heat olive oil and butter in a large pot. Cook the onion and sweet potato over low heat for 5-10 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cinnamon, cook for 1 minute, then stir in basil, tomatoes, and stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.

2. Make the Dumplings: Mix breadcrumbs, baking powder, cheddar cheese, mustard powder, oregano, egg, and cream cheese in a bowl until a stiff dough forms. Shape into 8 dumpling balls.

3. Blend the Soup: Use an immersion blender to blend the soup until smooth. Add sugar, salt, pepper, and cream to taste.

4. Cook the Dumplings: Drop the dumplings into the soup and simmer for 10 minutes without stirring.

5. Serve: Serve two dumplings per bowl, topped with extra cheese and basil if desired.

Nutrients (Per Serving)

• Calories: 482 kcal

• Total Fat: 26.6g

• Carbohydrates: 45.9g

• Protein: 17.2g

This soup with cheesy dumplings is a perfect comfort meal, blending sweet, savory, and creamy flavors in one bowl!

The Sweetness of Sweet Potato in Tomato Soup

Sweet potato is often an unexpected but fantastic addition to soups, offering both texture and flavor. When simmered in the soup, sweet potatoes break down to form a creamy base that enhances the richness of the tomatoes. The natural sweetness of the sweet potato balances the acidity of the tomatoes, making the soup more well-rounded without being overly sweet. Additionally, sweet potatoes are packed with nutrients like vitamin A, fiber, and antioxidants, making this soup not just delicious, but nutritious as well.

The savory depth of the soup is further elevated by the addition of ground cinnamon, which brings a warm and slightly spicy note that complements the sweetness of the sweet potatoes. This layer of complexity in the flavor profile is subtle but gives the soup an extra dimension that distinguishes it from your usual tomato soup.

The Role of Fresh Basil and Garlic

Fresh basil and garlic play a crucial role in bringing the soup to life. Garlic adds an aromatic, savory base that enhances the overall depth of the soup. As it cooks, the garlic infuses the oil and butter, creating a fragrant foundation for the other ingredients. Basil, on the other hand, provides a fresh, herbaceous contrast to the richness of the soup. By adding torn fresh basil at the end of cooking, you preserve its bright, peppery flavor, which lightens up the overall richness of the soup and adds a refreshing note.

These simple ingredients work together to create a balanced, flavorful soup that’s comforting and vibrant. The aroma that wafts through the kitchen while the soup simmers is bound to make anyone excited for a warm, delicious meal.

The Cheesy Dumplings: A Perfect Addition

The homemade cheese dumplings are what really set this soup apart. Made from a mixture of breadcrumbs, cheddar cheese, and cream cheese, these dumplings cook directly in the soup, absorbing the rich flavors while becoming soft, fluffy, and cheesy on the inside. The cheddar cheese provides a sharp, savory flavor that complements the sweetness of the sweet potato and the richness of the tomato soup, while the cream cheese helps bind the dumplings and gives them a smooth texture.

The addition of mustard powder and dried oregano in the dumpling dough infuses them with subtle, savory flavors that enhance their overall taste and make them stand out as a flavorful complement to the soup. The dumplings’ cheesy interior becomes wonderfully gooey, adding a comforting, indulgent bite to every spoonful.

Making the Dumplings

Creating the dumplings for this soup is relatively easy and doesn’t require too much time or effort. The key is to ensure that the dough is stiff enough to hold its shape as the dumplings cook in the soup. By mixing the breadcrumbs, baking powder, cheese, mustard powder, and cream cheese with an egg, you form a dough that’s just firm enough to be shaped into balls. These balls are dropped directly into the soup, where they simmer for about 10 minutes, becoming tender and melting in the soup’s flavorful broth.

The dumplings are an integral part of this dish because they provide an unexpected, comforting element to the soup. Each bite of soup with a dumpling is an irresistible combination of creamy soup and gooey, cheesy goodness.

Blending the Soup to Perfection

Blending the soup creates a smooth and velvety base that’s perfect for the cheesy dumplings. While you can blend the soup to a completely smooth texture, leaving it slightly chunky can add an extra layer of texture and rustic appeal. The smooth soup pairs wonderfully with the soft, pillowy dumplings, and the slight chunks of sweet potato and tomato give the soup a heartier feel.

Once blended, you can adjust the seasoning of the soup by adding sugar, salt, and pepper to taste. The sugar helps to balance the acidity of the tomatoes and the savory elements of the broth, rounding out the soup’s flavor profile. Stirring in the single cream adds a rich, velvety finish to the soup, making it creamy without being too heavy.

Serving and Enjoying Your Tomato Soup with Cheesy Dumplings

This soup is a perfect comfort food for any occasion. Whether you’re serving it to family and friends or enjoying a quiet evening at home, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. To serve, place two dumplings in each bowl and ladle the hot, creamy soup over them. You can garnish the soup with extra shredded cheese or fresh basil for added flavor and visual appeal.

Pair this dish with a simple side salad, some crusty bread for dipping, or even a light dessert for a complete meal. The soup itself is hearty enough to stand on its own, but these accompaniments will elevate the dining experience and make the meal even more satisfying.

Health Considerations

This comforting soup is packed with nutrients thanks to the sweet potato, tomatoes, and fresh basil. Sweet potatoes provide vitamin A, fiber, and antioxidants, while tomatoes are an excellent source of vitamin C, potassium, and lycopene, which is known for its antioxidant properties. The dumplings, though indulgent, are made with simple ingredients that add protein and calcium from the cheese, making them a satisfying addition to the meal.

However, like many comfort foods, this soup is best enjoyed in moderation due to its richness. You can lighten the soup by using lower-fat versions of the cream and cheese or by serving it with a side of fresh vegetables or a lighter salad.

Conclusion

This creamy tomato soup with cheesy dumplings is a perfect blend of flavors and textures that make it the ultimate comfort food. The sweet potato gives the soup a rich, creamy base, while the fresh basil adds a burst of freshness. The homemade cheese dumplings provide gooey, melty goodness that takes the soup to the next level. Whether you’re craving a warm, cozy meal on a cold day or looking for a delicious dish to serve to family and friends, this soup is sure to satisfy. It’s a hearty, comforting, and indulgent treat that brings together the best of sweet, savory, and creamy flavors in one bowl.