Creamy Tomato Basil Soup (Printer-friendly)
Velvety blend of ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, and cream perfect for cozy dining.
# What You Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 28 oz canned whole tomatoes (or 35 oz ripe fresh tomatoes, chopped)
→ Liquids
05 - 2 cups vegetable broth
06 - ½ cup heavy cream
→ Herbs & Seasonings
07 - 1 teaspoon sugar
08 - 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
09 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
10 - 1 small bunch fresh basil leaves (about ¾ oz), plus extra for garnish
→ Optional
11 - Pinch of red pepper flakes
12 - Croutons or toasted bread, for serving
# How to Make It:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion and cook until softened, approximately 5 minutes.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
03 - Add canned tomatoes with juices (or fresh chopped tomatoes), vegetable broth, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Bring mixture to a boil.
04 - Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes to develop flavors.
05 - Incorporate fresh basil leaves and continue to simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
06 - Remove pot from heat. Use an immersion blender to puree soup until smooth, or transfer in batches to a countertop blender then return to pot.
07 - Stir in heavy cream and gently warm the soup again, avoiding boiling. Adjust seasoning as necessary.
08 - Ladle hot soup into bowls and garnish with additional basil leaves and optional croutons or toasted bread.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- This soup feels like a secret comfort, velvety and rich without being fussy
- It quickly became my go-to for cozy meals, especially when I want something nourishing yet easy
02 -
- Using ripe fresh tomatoes or quality canned ones really changes the depth in flavor
- Blending the soup while hot gives it that perfectly smooth texture that feels like velvet
03 -
- Slowly simmering the tomatoes lets their natural sweetness develop beautifully
- The secret to that perfect velvety finish is blending thoroughly and gently reheating after the cream addition