Tomato and Basil Soup (Printable)

Silky smooth blend of ripe tomatoes and fresh basil, simmered with aromatic vegetables for a comforting bowl.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 3.3 lbs ripe tomatoes, roughly chopped
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Liquids

04 - 3 cups vegetable broth
05 - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling

→ Herbs & Seasoning

06 - 1 small bunch fresh basil leaves, plus extra for garnish
07 - 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
08 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

09 - 1/4 cup heavy cream or plant-based cream (optional)

# Method:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
02 - Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add chopped tomatoes and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes start to break down.
04 - Pour in vegetable broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Add sugar if desired. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
05 - Remove from heat. Add basil leaves. Use an immersion blender to purée the soup until silky smooth, or blend in batches in a countertop blender.
06 - Taste and season with salt and pepper. For extra richness, stir in heavy cream if using. Ladle soup into bowls, drizzle with olive oil, and garnish with fresh basil leaves.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour but tastes like it simmered all day
  • The secret is in using really ripe tomatoes, they make all the difference between good and incredible
  • Even tomato skeptics ask for seconds, something I've witnessed multiple times
02 -
  • An immersion blender will change your life with this recipe, no transferring hot soup back and forth
  • Letting the soup cool slightly before blending prevents splattering and potential burns
  • The soup tastes even better the next day, which is perfect for batch cooking
03 -
  • Use San Marzano or Roma tomatoes for the thickest, most flavorful soup
  • Let the soup come to room temperature before refrigerating to prevent condensation
  • A splash of balsamic vinegar at the end adds complexity that makes people wonder what your secret ingredient is
Return