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    Home » Entrees » Spicy Roasted Tomato Soup with Quinoa and Feta

    Dec 19, 2012 · Modified: Jun 18, 2019 by Sues · This post may contain affiliate links, uses cookies, and generates income via ads · View privacy policy + disclosure statement linked in footer · 18 Comments

    Spicy Roasted Tomato Soup with Quinoa and Feta

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    This Spicy Roasted Tomato Soup with Quinoa and Feta was inspired by Panera's tomato soup, but is taken to a new level with a little bit of spiciness, satisfying protein from quinoa, and extra delicious flavor from feta cheese. 

    Overhead view of spicy roasted tomato soup with quinoa and feta in a white bowl with a halved grilled cheese sandwich on the side and on a colorful dish towel with "Spicy Roasted Tomato Soup with Quinoa and Feta" text at top(This recipe for Spicy Roasted Tomato Soup with Quinoa and Feta was originally published in December 2012, but was updated with new photos in 2018).

    I'm like 50% a soup girl and 50% not a soup girl at all. I think I often like it more in theory than I do in actual reality. I love making it and I often enjoy eating it... Butttt I also want a loaf of bread to go along with it. That's one thing I love about Panera Bread. There. is. always. bread. Always. I mean, bread is in the freaking restaurant name. I can order my favorite creamy tomato soup there and also get a giant piece of bread (and half a sandwich or half a salad) and I leave totally satisfied. But does that totally defeat the purpose of having soup for a meal?? Possibly. Ask me if I care.

    The key to making a soup that you don't need to pair with a loaf of bread is to pack it with all sorts of delicious ingredients that are totally satisfying on their own. Meet this spicy tomato soup. Or rather, spicy ROASTED tomato soup. It's much better than your basic roasted tomato soup because it's also packed with quinoa and feta cheese. Quinoa loads you up on protein and feta cheese is just plain delicious. OK, I'll admit I may have served this soup with a side of grilled cheese sandwich (the photos can't lie!), but that was before I realized how much this tomato soup hits the spot is all on its own.

    SPICY ROASTED TOMATO SOUP WITH QUINOA AND FETA

    OK, so let's talk about what is involved in this spicy tomato soup! I chose habanero pepper for spice, quinoa for protein and carbs, and feta cheese for deliciousness. I contemplated bacon, but thought that might be taking it one step too far. Not that I'm against going a few steps too far, but I tried my best to keep myself reigned in. You're welcome. Or I'm sorry. I'm not sure which yet.

    You'll need to start by roasting the tomatoes and garlic in the oven. Yes, you can make tomato soup without roasting tomatoes, but once you have roasted tomato soup, I don't think you'll ever want to go back!

    Collage showing tomatoes and garlic roasting, including one photo showing tomatoes and garlic on sheet pan before going in the oven and one picture with tomatoes and garlic after they've been roasted

    After cooking onions and habanero peppers in a stockpot, you'll add in those beautiful roasted tomatoes and garlic.

    Overhead view of stockpot with onion, habanero peppers, garlic, and roasted tomatoes

    And then the vegetable broth and a tiny bit of sugar.

    Overhead view of stockpot with roasted tomatoes, onions, peppers, and vegetable broth

    Using an immersion blender (or transferring it to a blender), puree it until it's nice and smooth. And then mix in the quinoa and feta.

    Soup's on! And my kitchen smelled heavenly at this point. I served the spicy tomato soup with a little basil and some more feta cheese sprinkled over the top. And yes, a grilled cheese sandwich. Again, totally not necessary!

    Overhead closeup view of white bowl with spicy roasted tomato soup with feta and quinoa and a halved grilled cheese sandwich on the side on a colorful dish towel

    Because I added the protein with the quinoa and a little bit of cheesy goodness, this soup was totally satisfying all on its own. It made for a fabulous dinner, but I also enjoyed it for leftovers for a couple days after.

    Quinoa in soup is my new favorite idea ever. So is habanero pepper. You know I love a spicy kick and this one was subtle, but definitely present. The roasted flavor of the tomatoes also came through really well.

    Closeup view of spicy roasted tomato soup with quinoa and feta topped with basil and feta in a white bowl with a halved grilled cheese sandwich on the side

    There's really no bad time of year for tomato soup, but I actually think September is one of the best months for it. That's because fresh garden tomatoes are still in season and it's starting to get just a little bit cool out; enough to make you start craving soup. But since it's still summer/early fall, you want to keep things semi-light and not go full on comfort food just yet. Roasted tomato soup with quinoa is the perfect solution!

    Overhead view of spicy roasted tomato soup with quinoa and feta in a white bowl with a halved grilled cheese sandwich on the side and on a colorful dish towel

    I'm pretty sure this soup pushes me toward being more like 90% a soup girl. That remaining 10% of me will forever be a loaf of bread (or at least a grilled cheese sandwich) girl.

    Are you a soup person?

    If you're looking for more delicious soup recipes, check out my Chilled Mexican Corn Bisque with Shrimp or my Chipotle Butternut Squash Soup (with Grilled Cheese Croutons!!). I'm also obsessed with this Bloody Mary Gazpacho from The View from the Great Island!

    Spicy Roasted Tomato Soup with Quinoa and Feta -- This spicy tomato soup was inspired by Panera's tomato soup, but is taken to a new level with a little bit of spiciness, satisfying protein from quinoa, and extra delicious flavor from feta cheese | wearenotmartha.com

    Spicy Roasted Tomato Soup with Quinoa and Feta

    This Spicy Roasted Tomato Soup with Quinoa and Feta was inspired by Panera's tomato soup, but is taken to a new level with a little bit of spiciness, satisfying protein from quinoa, and extra delicious flavor from feta cheese. 
    No ratings yet
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    Course: Entree
    Cuisine: American, Eclectic
    Keyword: Fresh Tomato Soup, Quinoa in Soup, Satisfying Soups
    Prep Time: 30 minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour
    Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
    Makes: 4 servings
    Author: Sues

    Ingredients

    • 2 ½ lbs. plum tomatoes, cored and halved lengthwise
    • 5 cloves garlic, still in peel
    • Olive oil
    • 1 medium onion, chopped
    • 1 habanero pepper, chopped
    • 1 tsp granulated sugar
    • 2 cups vegetable broth
    • 1 cup cooked quinoa
    • ¾ cup crumbled feta cheese, plus more for serving if desired
    • Small bunch basil

    Instructions

    • Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.
    • Place halved tomatoes and garlic in peel on a foil-covered baking sheet lightly brushed with olive oil. Lightly brush a little bit more olive oil over tomatoes and garlic. Roast for about 40 minutes, until the tomatoes are getting wrinkled.
    • Put onion and habanero in a large stockpot with 1 Tbsp olive oil. Sauté for about 5 minutes, until onion is translucent.
    • Remove peels from garlic and add garlic and tomatoes to stockpot. Add vegetable stock and sugar to stock pot, as well.
    • Using an immersion blender, blend until soup is smooth. Alternatively, you can put the soup in a blender and puree until smooth. 
    • Let soup simmer for about 20 minutes, until thickened. Mix in quinoa and feta cheese.
    • Serve and top with basil and additional feta cheese, if desired.
    Share a Photo of Your Finished Recipe!Mention @wearenotmartha and share a photo if you've made the recipe!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Maggie @ A Bitchin' Kitchen says

      December 19, 2012 at 11:19 am

      This looks delicious! I work in DC, and usually turn right out of my building to find lunch. A couple weeks ago I turned left, and was super psyched to find a Panera. I've had their broccoli cheese soup approximately 5 times since this discovery...I need to try their tomato soup...and your version too of course! 🙂

    2. Shannon says

      December 19, 2012 at 11:24 am

      i have yet to make a tomato soup that i like... it's weird. this one, though, is very promising 😉

    3. Simply Life says

      December 19, 2012 at 11:27 am

      this soup looks great! I do love Panera's You Pick 2 option!

    4. Erica says

      December 19, 2012 at 8:20 pm

      I'm a tomato soup aholic. Seriously- I'm about to eat it right now! I rarely make it at home because the husband is not a fan. Panera's is good, but I Like the idea of adding quinoa

    5. Lexi says

      December 19, 2012 at 9:14 pm

      this sounds SO good!

    6. peachkins says

      December 20, 2012 at 9:16 am

      I am also a soup girl and specially love roasted tomato soup! This is something different to try!

    7. Gia Grossman says

      December 20, 2012 at 11:24 am

      I love that you added quinoa into this soup. AND CHEESE. What is better?

    8. Sharon says

      December 20, 2012 at 7:13 pm

      Panera is my favorite informal lunch spot. There is something for everyone and meeting a friend there is always special as you can relax, take your time and never feel rushed. My favorite is a Greek salad and any of their soups. I didn't know about the grilled cheese but plan to try that next time I go. Oh, your soup looks sooo good…I would love to try your recipe soon!

    9. Odetta says

      December 20, 2012 at 7:16 pm

      What a great soup and a pretty color! Never made my own tomato soup but I do live Panera's...

    10. Megan says

      December 20, 2012 at 10:04 pm

      You can never go wrong with tomato soup and grilled cheese! And your soup sounds amazing. I ordered a vegetable quinoa soup out at a restaurant and I was disappointed that it had just a few pieces of quinoa floating in it. This looks chock-full of quinoa and I love that!

    11. Andreea says

      December 21, 2012 at 2:44 am

      I really like the chicken wild rice, baked potato and creamy tomato soups from Panera! I just discovered the bread bowl option a few months ago, oh, my! I usually get the Mediterranean sandwich with my creamy tomato, but it looks like I could just have your soup and get the best of both! it looks very very yummy 😉

    12. Emily @ A Cambridge Story says

      December 30, 2012 at 12:56 pm

      Great idea to pack this full of quinoa! Feta doesn't hurt either! 🙂

    13. Liz S says

      February 27, 2013 at 1:34 am

      This soup is so yummy! I made it in my crockpot today and it was so creamy! Even before I added the cheese! A huge winner in my book! Thanks!!!

    14. Tara says

      May 22, 2013 at 2:06 pm

      seriously, I just went to Whole foods today and got a Tomato, basil and quinoa soup. I looked at the ingredients and saw feta, & basil.
      (I need to start bringing my phone to WF"s with me so I can takepics of all the ingredients in all the wonderful items they have to recreate).

      Anywhoo, i loved the soup so much I googled it and found this recipe, which looks exactly the same!
      I am so excited to make this , this weekend!

    15. Michelle says

      January 27, 2018 at 5:24 pm

      I just came across this recipe and it turned out yummy!! Did you core and seed the tomatoes? Does it really matter? Thanks!

    16. Sues says

      January 27, 2018 at 8:49 pm

      @Michelle- Thank you!! I believe I did core and seed the tomatoes for this soup. Generally, the seeds of tomatoes are a bit bitter so it's recommended to core them for soup. But I definitely don't think you have to! I'm in the process of re-making a lot of my old recipes (to update the photos and descriptions) and I think this one needs to go on my list! I remember it being tasty 🙂

    17. Shadi Hasanzadenemati says

      September 11, 2018 at 10:57 am

      5 stars
      I love this flavor combo, the idea of roasting tomatoes is genius!

    18. Renee Goerger says

      September 11, 2018 at 11:00 am

      5 stars
      Brilliant! The addition of quinoa and feta sure does pack a nutritious and flavorful punch! I'm so excited to try this recipe!

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