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Creamy Tomato Soup for Kids – Easy Thermos Lunch Idea

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This creamy tomato soup for kids is a thermos-friendly lunch that stays warm until noon. Made with simple pantry ingredients like canned tomatoes, cream cheese, and a touch of honey, it’s silky smooth and picky eater approved.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes (preferably San Marzano)
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • 4 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • Optional: 2-3 fresh basil leaves, chopped

Instructions

  1. Sauté the aromatics: In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 4-5 minutes until soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds more until fragrant.
  2. Add the tomatoes and broth: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and broth. Stir and bring to a gentle simmer over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to low. Simmer for 10 minutes.
  3. Add the cream cheese: Cut the softened cream cheese into small cubes and add to the pot. Stir until completely melted and incorporated, about 2 minutes.
  4. Blend until silky: Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth. Alternatively, let cool for 5 minutes and blend in batches in a regular blender, removing the center cap to let steam escape.
  5. Add the milk and honey: Stir in the milk and honey. Warm through over low heat for 2 minutes. Do not let it boil.
  6. Season to taste: Add salt and pepper. Adjust seasoning as needed.
  7. Prepare the thermos: Fill the thermos with boiling water and let sit for 5 minutes. Pour out the water, then immediately fill with hot soup, leaving about ½ inch of space at the top. Screw the lid on tightly.
  8. Cool and pack: Let the thermos sit on the counter for 10 minutes before packing in a lunch bag. Wrap in a small towel for extra insulation if desired.

Notes

Preheat the thermos with boiling water for 5 minutes to keep soup warm longer. Use room temperature cream cheese to avoid lumps. Do not boil after adding milk to prevent curdling. For dairy-free, substitute butter with olive oil, cream cheese with dairy-free alternative, and milk with unsweetened oat milk. Soup keeps in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and freezes for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy tomato soup, kids lunch, thermos soup, easy soup recipe, school lunch, picky eater, tomato soup for kids

Find it online: https://spoonmira.com/creamy-tomato-soup-for-kids-easy-thermos-lunch-idea/