Name: Creamy Tomato Soup with Cheddar Bay Biscuit Dumplings Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 tbsp butter; 1 sweet onion, chopped; 3 tbsp all-purpose flour; 3 cups chicken stock; 43.5 oz canned diced tomatoes (with liquid); 1 tsp sugar; ¾ tsp coarse salt; ¼ tsp black pepper; 11 oz packet cheddar bay biscuit mix; 2 tbsp butter + seasoning packet (for topping)

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

If you’ve ever craved a hug in a bowl, this Creamy Tomato Soup with Cheddar Bay Biscuit Dumplings is exactly what you need! Imagine the classic comfort of velvety tomato soup, layered with fragrant sautéed onions, and studded with pillowy, cheesy biscuit dumplings that soak up flavor with every bite—pure bliss for chilly evenings or lazy weekends. This dish isn’t just a meal; it’s a cozy, crowd-pleasing centerpiece you’ll want to make again and again, especially for anyone who believes soup can be the star of dinner.

Creamy Tomato Soup with Cheddar Bay Biscuit Dumplings Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each of these ingredients plays a small but vital role in making this dish so special. You don’t need a fancy list, just high-impact basics that, together, create amazing depth of flavor, luscious texture, and that signature, crave-worthy color.

Butter: Gives your soup those rich, buttery undertones and helps sauté the onions to tender, aromatic perfection.
Sweet Onion: Adds a gentle sweetness and hearty body to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
All-Purpose Flour: The secret thickener that transforms broth into a creamy, luxe soup base.
Chicken Stock: Adds a savory backbone and enhances every layer of flavor (use veggie stock if you’re keeping it vegetarian!).
Canned Diced Tomatoes (with liquid): This is where all the bright, tangy magic comes from—no need to drain them!
Sugar: Just a teaspoon tames the tomatoes’ acidity and brings out their natural sweetness.
Coarse Salt: Balances and sharpens all the flavors—you’ll taste the difference!
Black Pepper: Adds gentle warmth and depth without overpowering the soup.
Cheddar Bay Biscuit Mix: The superstar shortcut for those dreamy, cheesy dumplings—no one will know you didn’t make them from scratch.
Butter & Seasoning Packet (from the biscuit mix): Melted and brushed over your dumplings for that irresistible signature finish!

How to Make

Step 1: Sauté the Onion

Start by melting the butter in a large soup pot set over medium heat. Add your chopped sweet onion, letting it sizzle and soften until translucent and aromatic, about 4–5 minutes. This gentle layer of sweetness builds incredible flavor right from the start.

Step 2: Thicken the Base

Sprinkle the flour over your cooked onions and stir constantly for about a minute. This quick step cooks off the raw flour taste and thickens your soup later, giving you that luscious, clinging texture everyone loves.

Step 3: Add Stock and Tomatoes

Slowly whisk in your chicken (or veggie) stock and pour in the canned diced tomatoes—juice and all. Bring everything to a simmer, letting the broth mingle with the tomatoes and onions to create a gorgeous, deep red soup base.

Step 4: Season the Soup

Next, stir in the sugar, salt, and black pepper. Taste your soup here and adjust as needed! The sugar adds balance, the salt sharpens all those flavors, and the pepper gives a little gentle kick.

Step 5: Blend for Creaminess (Optional)

If you like a creamy texture, blend half the hot soup using an immersion blender (or in batches with a standard blender). Pour the blended soup back into your pot for a mix of chunky and smooth—best of both worlds!

Step 6: Make and Drop the Biscuit Dumplings

Prepare the Cheddar Bay biscuit dough according to package instructions, then use a spoon to drop heaping mounds of dough directly into the gently simmering soup. Cover with a lid, reduce the heat, and let those dumplings steam and puff up for 15–20 minutes. They’ll soak up amazing flavor while staying incredibly soft.

Step 7: Finish with Buttery Seasoned Topping

As your dumplings finish cooking, melt the remaining butter and stir in the seasoning packet that came with the biscuit mix. Gently brush or drizzle this over your finished dumplings while they’re piping hot for irresistible color and flavor!

How to Serve

Garnishes

Top each bowl with a sprinkle of fresh chives, parsley, or an extra pinch of shredded sharp cheddar. A swirl of cream or a drizzle of good olive oil can make the color pop and add a finishing touch that feels restaurant-worthy.

Side Dishes

This Creamy Tomato Soup with Cheddar Bay Biscuit Dumplings honestly stands alone, but it pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad tossed in a tangy vinaigrette, or some roasted vegetables for a hearty, complete meal.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving the soup in wide, shallow bowls with the dumplings nestled on top, or in playful mugs with a biscuit perched on the rim. For a dinner party, you can even bake tiny dumplings and serve them as “soup shooters” for a fun, bite-size appetizer.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Creamy Tomato Soup with Cheddar Bay Biscuit Dumplings in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors will deepen, and the dumplings get even more deliciously tender from soaking in the soup.

Freezing

The soup base freezes beautifully! For best results, freeze the soup by itself and make the Cheddar Bay Biscuit dumplings fresh before serving. If you freeze dumplings, expect them to soften somewhat, but they’re still tasty.

Reheating

Warm the soup gently over medium-low heat, giving the dumplings plenty of time to heat through without falling apart. Add a splash of extra stock or cream if needed to restore that luscious consistency.

FAQs

Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?

Absolutely! Substitute roughly 6 cups of chopped fresh tomatoes for the canned, and let the soup simmer longer—about 30 minutes—to cook them down to luscious tenderness and deepen their flavor.

What can I use instead of Cheddar Bay biscuit mix?

If you don’t have the mix, make your own dough using flour, baking powder, shredded cheddar, garlic powder, and a touch of butter. The end result is still cheesy, savory, and perfect as dumplings.

Is Creamy Tomato Soup with Cheddar Bay Biscuit Dumplings vegetarian?

The recipe is almost vegetarian as written! Swap the chicken stock for your favorite vegetable stock to make it 100 percent veggie-friendly without compromising on comfort or flavor.

How do I make the soup extra creamy?

Just swirl in a few tablespoons of heavy cream or half-and-half after blending and before adding the dumplings. It takes the texture to the next level of velvety richness.

Can I add extra herbs or spices?

Absolutely! Basil, thyme, or a pinch of smoked paprika elevates the soup’s flavor. Stir your favorite herbs directly into the soup or sprinkle them on top as a fresh garnish.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Tomato Soup with Cheddar Bay Biscuit Dumplings isn’t just comfort food—it’s a celebration of warmth, coziness, and simple joys at the table. Give it a try and watch it become an instant family classic everyone clamors for as soon as the weather turns cool. Trust me, you’ll want to make this again and again!