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.
(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!
After cooking onions and habanero peppers in a stockpot, you’ll add in those beautiful roasted tomatoes and garlic.
And then the vegetable broth and a tiny bit of sugar.
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!
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.
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!
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!
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.
- 2 1/2 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
- 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese, plus more for serving if desired
- Small bunch basil
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Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.
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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.
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Put onion and habanero in a large stockpot with 1 Tbsp olive oil. Sauté for about 5 minutes, until onion is translucent.
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Remove peels from garlic and add garlic and tomatoes to stockpot. Add vegetable stock and sugar to stock pot, as well.
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Using an immersion blender, blend until soup is smooth. Alternatively, you can put the soup in a blender and puree until smooth.
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Let soup simmer for about 20 minutes, until thickened. Mix in quinoa and feta cheese.
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Serve and top with basil and additional feta cheese, if desired.
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! 🙂
i have yet to make a tomato soup that i like… it’s weird. this one, though, is very promising 😉
this soup looks great! I do love Panera’s You Pick 2 option!
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
this sounds SO good!
I am also a soup girl and specially love roasted tomato soup! This is something different to try!
I love that you added quinoa into this soup. AND CHEESE. What is better?
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!
What a great soup and a pretty color! Never made my own tomato soup but I do live Panera’s…
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!
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 😉
Great idea to pack this full of quinoa! Feta doesn’t hurt either! 🙂
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!!!
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!
I just came across this recipe and it turned out yummy!! Did you core and seed the tomatoes? Does it really matter? Thanks!
@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 🙂
I love this flavor combo, the idea of roasting tomatoes is genius!
Brilliant! The addition of quinoa and feta sure does pack a nutritious and flavorful punch! I’m so excited to try this recipe!