Bloody Tomato & Roasted Pepper Soup

DifficultyBeginner
Category,

A silky, fire-red soup made with roasted bell peppers and tomatoes, finished with smoky paprika and garlic. Its vibrant, blood-like color makes it a perfect Halloween starter, especially when paired with breadstick “bones.”

[cooked-sharing]

Yields4 Servings
Prep Time15 minsCook Time40 minsTotal Time55 mins
For the soup
 2 red bell peppers
 1 tbsp olive oil (for roasting peppers)
 1 tbsp olive oil (for sautéing)
 1 medium onion, chopped
 3 cloves garlic, minced
 1 can whole peeled tomatoes (or 6 fresh ripe tomatoes, halved)
 2 tbsp tomato paste
 3 cups vegetable stock
 1 tsp smoked paprika
 ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
 Salt & black pepper, to taste
For garnish
 ¼ cup heavy cream or coconut cream (for “bloody swirls”)
 Fresh basil or parsley leaves
 Croutons or breadstick “bones”
Roast the peppers
1
  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).

  2. Slice red bell peppers in half, remove seeds and stems.

  3. Place cut-side down on a baking tray, drizzle with olive oil.

  4. Roast for 20–25 minutes, until skins blister and char.

  5. Transfer to a bowl, cover with a plate, and let steam for 10 minutes. Peel off skins and set aside.

Build the soup base
2
  1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat.

  2. Add onion and cook until softened (5 minutes).

  3. Stir in garlic and tomato paste, cooking for another 1 minute.

  4. Add canned tomatoes, roasted peppers, smoked paprika, cayenne, and stock.

  5. Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Blend until smooth
3
  1. Remove from heat and use an immersion blender (or work in batches in a blender) to puree until velvety smooth.

  2. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Serve
4
  1. Ladle soup into bowls.

  2. Swirl a spoonful of cream on top in irregular streaks to mimic blood.

  3. Garnish with basil or parsley and serve with breadstick “bones” for dipping.

Serving Suggestions
5
  • Perfect as a starter for a Halloween dinner menu.

  • Pair with Frankenstein Split Pea Soup as part of a “monster vs. vampire” soup duo.

  • Add Witch’s Finger Breadsticks for a spooky touch.

Tips & Variations
6
  • Extra smoky: Roast tomatoes along with peppers for deeper flavor.

  • Vegan option: Use coconut cream instead of dairy cream.

  • Spicy vampire bite: Add more cayenne or a dash of hot sauce.

  • Make-ahead: Soup can be made 2 days in advance and reheated before serving.

Ingredients

For the soup
 2 red bell peppers
 1 tbsp olive oil (for roasting peppers)
 1 tbsp olive oil (for sautéing)
 1 medium onion, chopped
 3 cloves garlic, minced
 1 can whole peeled tomatoes (or 6 fresh ripe tomatoes, halved)
 2 tbsp tomato paste
 3 cups vegetable stock
 1 tsp smoked paprika
 ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
 Salt & black pepper, to taste
For garnish
 ¼ cup heavy cream or coconut cream (for “bloody swirls”)
 Fresh basil or parsley leaves
 Croutons or breadstick “bones”
Bloody Tomato & Roasted Pepper Soup
Visited 9 times, 1 visit(s) today