Working Woman's "Fancy" Tomato Soup

Too busy to chop and roast and cut and toast your own homemade ingredients? I love the "tomato basil" soups you get at Panera or McAlister's or other restaurants, but never have time to make them from scratch. This is a "cheater" recipe that I think comes in really close to the homemade varieties.

• Ready In: 20 mins
• Serves: 4
• Yields: 4 cups

Ingredients

• 1 (15 ounce) can  petite diced tomatoes with sweet onions
• 1 (10 ounce) can  campbell's tomato soup
• 1  tablespoon butter
• 1  tablespoon  italian seasoning
• 1⁄2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1  teaspoon sugar
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon pepper
• 4  ounces  whole milk or 4  ounces half-and-half cream

Directions

1. Melt butter in a medium sauce pan. While it is melting, add Italian seasoning and garlic powder and "saute" while butter melts.
2. Add tomatoes, tomato soup, milk and water.
3. Add sugar, salt and pepper, stir and simmer on low for a few minutes until the flavors blend.
4. Divide into four individual bowls. Top with fresh grated parmesan cheese. Serve with a fancy roll as an appetizer, or with grilled cheese sandwiches as part of a quick, tasty lunch.