Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
A quick and easy creamy tomato basil soup that is comforting, velvety, and full of fresh flavor. Perfect for cozy nights and simple meals.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 28 ounces canned whole peeled tomatoes (preferably San Marzano)
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, loosely packed
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (can substitute coconut cream for dairy-free)
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
- 2 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Optional: pinch of sugar to balance acidity
Instructions
- Finely chop the onion, mince the garlic, and roughly chop the fresh basil leaves. Open the canned tomatoes and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté for 5-7 minutes until translucent, stirring occasionally.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Pour in the canned tomatoes with their juices and the vegetable broth. Break up the tomatoes gently with a spoon. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
- Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes to meld flavors and reduce slightly. Add more broth if the soup is too thick.
- Stir in the fresh basil leaves. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth and velvety. If using a countertop blender, cool slightly and blend in batches.
- Lower heat to the lowest setting and slowly stir in the heavy cream, blending gently to keep the soup silky.
- Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of sugar if needed. Heat the soup just until warm again, about 3-5 minutes, avoiding boiling after adding cream.
- Optional: Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice before serving to brighten flavors.
Notes
Do not boil the soup after adding cream to prevent curdling. Use an immersion blender for easier cleanup and better texture control. Adjust seasoning after simmering as tomato acidity varies. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream. Adding a pinch of sugar can balance tomato acidity. A squeeze of lemon juice before serving brightens the flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups (350 ml)
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 3
Keywords: creamy tomato basil soup, easy tomato soup, comfort food, homemade soup, quick soup recipe, cozy soup, basil soup