Description
This creamy tomato basil soup is a comforting classic that’s easy to make from scratch. With fresh tomatoes, fragrant basil, and a touch of cream, this soup is rich, velvety, and perfect for pairing with a grilled cheese sandwich. Ready in just under an hour, it’s a warm and satisfying dish to enjoy year-round.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups fresh tomatoes, chopped (or 2 cans (28 oz) crushed tomatoes)
- 1 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil (or 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (or coconut cream for dairy-free option)
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until softened and translucent.
- Add the minced garlic to the pot and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Stir in the chopped tomatoes (or crushed tomatoes) and broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 20-25 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth and creamy. Alternatively, transfer the soup in batches to a blender and blend until smooth.
- Return the soup to the pot if necessary, then stir in the dried oregano, dried basil (or fresh basil), and sugar (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the heavy cream and stir until fully incorporated, allowing the soup to become creamy and rich.
- Simmer the soup for an additional 5-10 minutes to heat through.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.
Notes
For a thicker soup, add more tomatoes or reduce the liquid by simmering longer. You can also blend in some cooked potatoes for extra creaminess.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg