Description
Tomato Basil Soup is a classic, comforting dish that combines fresh ripe tomatoes with fragrant basil to deliver vibrant flavors and a velvety texture. Perfect for any season, this soup is simple to prepare, nourishing, and versatile, with options for creamy or vegan variations. It serves as a wholesome comfort food that soothes the soul with every spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 cups ripe tomatoes (fresh diced or canned)
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly torn
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or milk (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Chop the onion, mince the garlic, and roughly tear the basil leaves. If using fresh tomatoes, dice them into chunks to facilitate cooking and blending.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil or butter in a pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and garlic, cooking until they soften and become fragrant without browning, creating a flavorful base.
- Add Tomatoes and Broth: Stir in the diced or canned tomatoes, then pour in the broth. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook until the tomatoes are completely soft and the flavors meld, about 15-20 minutes.
- Blend Until Smooth: Use an immersion blender directly in the pot or carefully transfer the soup in batches to a blender. Puree until silky and smooth. Allow the soup to cool slightly before blending to prevent splattering.
- Stir in Basil and Cream: Return the blended soup to the pot if needed. Add the fresh basil leaves and optional cream or milk, warming gently over low heat without boiling to preserve the basil’s bright flavor and maintain a creamy texture.
- Season and Serve: Taste the soup and adjust with salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot with optional garnishes such as a drizzle of olive oil, a swirl of cream, fresh basil leaves, or croutons.
Notes
- Use ripe, quality tomatoes—fresh or canned—to maximize flavor.
- Fresh basil is key for brightness; dried basil will not provide the same aroma.
- Blend in small batches and allow hot soup to cool slightly to avoid splattering.
- Simmer gently after adding cream to prevent curdling.
- Adjust soup thickness by adding extra broth or cream as preferred.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American/Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 10mg