Hearty Tomato Florentine Soup

Hearty Tomato Florentine Soup is loaded with pasta, diced tomatoes, and spinach for a simple but filling recipe you can make with pantry staples!

Making This Tomato Spinach Soup

I’m going to tell you a little story that doesn’t really relate to this tomato Florentine soup recipe. Except that in the end you’ll see how the two are related after all.

One of the (many) things I’ve learned through motherhood is that my plans will never always go as planned. More often than not, something throws a kink in the plan and changes our course.

It can be as simple as the dinner plans, or as major as a move you’d planned on for the last year not working out.

For someone who’s a planner at heart, these situations are always kind of a bummer. It’s a difficult thing to have your heart and mind set on something, no matter how small or large, only to take an unexpected turn in another direction.

Sometimes those changes end up being for the best, but you never know until after the fact.

My husband and I have been planning for the last year that we’d be moving in the Fall of 2011. One thing lead to another and Plan A didn’t pan out, so we went with the flow and moved on to Plan B.

Then Plan A was on again but we were already committed to Plan B. And then Plan B fell through.

So here we are.

Still in New Mexico for at least another year and not really understanding why. Because one of these days I’m going to realize that I shouldn’t rely on my plans too much, I’m always glad to have a few more back ups in my reserves.

Why I Love Tomato Florentine Soup

I have to thank my aunt for this recipe. I had given her a copy of Soups, Stews and Chilis for Christmas because she loves soups.

Every time we talk she has another list of recipes that they have tried and loved. I knew I had to try this Tomato Florentine Soup Recipe when she mentioned it during our last conversation.

I’m sure I would have made this one eventually, but the recommendation couldn’t have come at a better time.

Diced tomatoes are something I always have on hand, which makes this soup a great pantry meal. For days when the plans are thrown by the wayside I like to have a few pantry meals, like this Easy Tomato Florentine Soup, up my sleeve.

It’s a comforting thing to still be able to put a healthy, enjoyable meal on the table at dinner time even if other aspects of the day have been crazy.

Three cheers for a well stocked pantry!

Tomato Florentine Soup Ingredients

To make this spinach tomato pasta soup, you’ll need the following basic ingredients:

• Olive Oil
• Butter
• Yellow Onion
• Tomato Paste
• Brown Sugar
• Diced Tomatoes
• Garlic Cloves
• All-Purpose Flour
• Bay Leaves
• Vegetable Broth or Chicken Stock
• Mini Penne Pasta
• Fresh Spinach
• Salt
• Black Pepper
• Balsamic Vinegar

For the complete ingredient list and detailed instructions to make this chunky tomato soup, scroll to the bottom of this post for the FREE printable recipe card.

How to Make Tomato Florentine Soup

This tomato spinach soup is incredibly easy to make, and the whole recipe comes together in about an hour.

1. Heat the butter and olive oil in a large dutch oven over medium-high heat.
2. Add the onions and saute for until soft.
3. Add the brown sugar, tomato paste, and the drained diced tomatoes. Cook until the tomatoes begin to dry.
4. Add the garlic to the dutch oven, stir, and cook for about 1 minute.
5. Stir in the flour and continue to cook for another minute.
6. Stir in the reserved tomato juice and bay leaves.
7. Add 1 cup of broth at a time, whisking after each addition, until desired consistency is reached.
8. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes.
9. Stir in the cooked pasta, spinach, and balsamic vinegar.

The above is simply a quick summary of this hearty soup recipe. Check out the full recipe in the free printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for all the detailed instructions.

Tomato Florentine Soup FAQs

Got questions about how to make this tomato spinach soup? Here are the answers to a few commonly asked questions. Feel free to leave any other questions in the comments on this post and I’ll respond with answers.

Can I use a different pasta shape?

Sure! Small pasta shells, mini farfalle, or ditalini pasta all work well in this tomato florentine soup recipe.

What type of spinach should I use to make this recipe?

I like to use fresh baby spinach. However, you can also use frozen spinach or even freeze dried spinach. For frozen spinach, thaw it first and squeeze out excess moisture. Then, chop it.

Can I freeze leftovers?

Yes, this soup can be frozen in a freezer-safe airtight container. I love to make an extra large pot on a cold day so I can stash some away in the freezer for future meals.

However, I recommend freezing leftovers without the pasta in it for best results. Just add the pasta later when you plan to serve it as pasta can become mushy when frozen in soups. 

For more information, check out this how to freeze soup tutorial.

What to Serve with Tomato Florentine Soup

This is quite a hearty hearty tomato soup, so you don’t need much in the way of sides. A simple green side salad or a loaf of crusty bread would pair perfectly with the soup!

Other sides to try are:

• Whole Wheat Baguette
• Rustic Rosemary Bread
• Italian Mixed Greens Salad
• Sweet Potato Dinner Rolls
• Parmesan & Onion Beer Bread Muffins
• Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Don’t see what you’re looking for here? You can always head over to check out the recipe index to look for more recipes.

What Reader Say About this Fan Favorite Soup

Try this Tomato Florentine Soup at Home!

Next time you’re looking for a hearty tomato soup for a chilly day, give this tomato spinach soup a try!

Did you think it was pure comfort food? Leave a comment below and give it a review for others to see what you thought of this great recipe.

On Instagram? Share your photo and tag me with @goodlifeeats and #goodlifeeatsrecipes. I’d love to see your photo of this spinach and tomato soup recipe!

More Winter Soup Recipes:

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This Smoked Sausage and Lentil Soup is packed with lentils, hearty winter vegetables, smoked sausage, and spices. It’s a freezer-friendly recipe that’s great for meal prepping!

Roasted butternut squash and garlic are pureed with onion, carrot, broth, and half and half for a silky smooth, creamy, savory Roasted Butternut Squash Soup. Top it with bacon and sage for perfection.

If you’re looking for a creamy, rich and flavorful soup, try this Italian Sausage Kale Soup. It’s a lightened up version of an Olive Garden Classic and crowd favorite, Zuppa Toscana.

This Italian Sausage Soup with Orzo is a great clean out the fridge recipe! It’s packed with veggies, Italian sausage, orzo, and more!

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