Eyeball Mozzarella Tomato Soup (Printable Version)

Rich tomato soup with playful mozzarella 'eyeballs', perfect for spooky parties or cozy autumn nights.

# What You'll Need:

→ Tomato Soup Base

01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 1 can (28 ounces) whole tomatoes, with juices
05 - 2 cups vegetable broth
06 - 1 tablespoon tomato paste
07 - 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
08 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
09 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
10 - Salt and black pepper to taste
11 - 1/3 cup heavy cream (optional, for richness)

→ Eyeball Garnishes

12 - 16 mini mozzarella balls (bocconcini)
13 - 16 black olive slices
14 - 1 tablespoon fresh basil, finely chopped

→ Optional Garnishes

15 - Fresh basil leaves
16 - Red chili flakes
17 - Croutons

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute until fragrant.
02 - Stir in tomato paste followed by canned tomatoes with their juices, vegetable broth, sugar, dried basil, and dried oregano. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
03 - Simmer the soup uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to develop a rich flavor and reduce excess liquid.
04 - Remove the saucepan from heat. Purée the mixture smoothly using an immersion blender or by carefully transferring batches to a conventional blender. Ensure a uniform, velvety consistency.
05 - Return the puréed soup to low heat. Stir in heavy cream, if using. Taste and season with salt and black pepper. Simmer gently for an additional 5 minutes.
06 - While soup finishes, prepare garnishes by pressing a black olive slice onto each mini mozzarella ball to resemble a pupil.
07 - Ladle hot soup into bowls. Float 3 to 4 mozzarella ‘eyeballs’ on each serving. Garnish with chopped basil and any optional toppings such as fresh basil leaves, chili flakes, or croutons. Serve immediately.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • This soup is both visually fun and incredibly delicious
  • Uses ingredients you probably have on hand
  • Ready to serve in under an hour
  • Easy to adapt for vegetarians and those needing gluten-free options
02 -
  • High in fiber and protein with plenty of vitamin C
  • Freezes beautifully for make-ahead meals
  • Perfect centerpiece for themed kids parties
03 -
  • Let onions cook slowly to fully release their sweetness before adding garlic
  • Use a good quality olive oil for flavor that really shines through
  • If using canned tomatoes look for low-sodium so you can adjust the seasoning yourself
  • I learned the hard way—never skip blending well or you risk tomato skins floating in your spooky brew

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