Silky Tomato Basil Soup Recipe: A Comforting Classic

Comfort wraps around you like a warm blanket when this rich and velvety tomato basil soup meets your spoon.

Simmering with deep, robust flavors, the creamy tomato basil soup recipe promises a delightful culinary experience that speaks directly to your soul.

Ripe, sun-kissed tomatoes blend seamlessly with fragrant basil leaves, creating a luxurious texture that dances on your palate.

Each spoonful carries the essence of fresh ingredients and careful crafting, turning a simple soup into a memorable meal.

The aromatic blend of herbs and cream whispers tales of rustic kitchens and hearty traditions.

Smooth, silky, and packed with vibrant flavors, this soup transforms an ordinary evening into an extraordinary dining moment.

Get ready to savor every delectable bite of this comforting classic that will quickly become your go-to recipe.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 180 kcal

Servings: 7

Ingredients Needed for Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

• Celery: Adds crisp, earthy undertones and helps build a robust flavor foundation for the soup.
• Carrots: Brings natural sweetness and vibrant orange color, enhancing the soup's nutritional profile.
• Onion: Provides a deep, savory base that creates layers of complex flavor.
• Garlic: Delivers intense, aromatic warmth that elevates the entire soup's taste.

• Butter: Creates rich, silky texture and adds deep golden undertones to the soup.
• Olive Oil: Introduces subtle fruity notes and helps prevent butter from burning.
• Chicken Broth: Delivers profound depth and creates a smooth, hearty liquid base.
• Milk, Half And Half, Or Cream: Transforms the soup into a luxuriously creamy, velvety experience.

• Flour: Acts as a thickening agent to create smooth, consistent soup texture.
• Fire-Roasted Tomatoes: Brings smoky, intensified tomato flavor with slightly charred complexity.
• Bay Leaf: Infuses subtle herbal undertones and adds sophisticated aromatic dimension.
• Parmesan Cheese: Contributes nutty, salty richness and creates a more indulgent soup profile.
• Basil: Introduces fresh, bright herbal notes that complement the tomato's natural sweetness.

Equipment for Making Tomato Basil Soup

• Food processor or chef's knife: Essential for finely mincing vegetables quickly and evenly.
• Large Dutch oven or soup pot: Perfect for cooking and simmering the soup with ample space.
• Whisk: Helps blend ingredients smoothly and prevent lumps when adding flour and cheese.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions for consistent flavor.
• Immersion blender or standard blender: Creates a silky, smooth soup texture with ease.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and scraping the pot while cooking.

How to Cook Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

• Kitchen Preparation

Gather all cooking tools like food processor, Dutch oven, whisk, and cutting board. Ensure your workspace is clean and organized for smooth cooking flow.

• Vegetable Foundation

Chop celery, carrots, onion, and garlic into tiny pieces using a food processor or sharp knife. This creates a flavor-packed base for the soup.

• Sauté Magic

Warm butter and olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Toss in minced vegetables and cook until they become soft and fragrant, releasing delicious aromas.

• Liquid Transformation

Pour chicken broth and fire-roasted tomatoes into the pot. Sprinkle in seasonings that will make your soup dance with flavor. Let everything simmer and meld together.

• Creamy Finish

Introduce Parmesan cheese and cream to transform the soup into a luxurious, silky texture. Stir gently and allow the ingredients to embrace each other.

• Texture Perfection

Use an immersion blender to create a smooth, velvety consistency. If you want extra smoothness, carefully blend in small batches.

• Serving Elegance

Garnish with fresh Parmesan cheese and serve hot. Enjoy the rich, comforting flavors of your homemade soup.

Flavor Tips for Tomato Basil Soup

• Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version that maintains rich flavor and creamy texture.
• Experiment with different dairy alternatives like coconut milk, almond milk, or Greek yogurt to create unique flavor profiles and accommodate dietary preferences.
• Layer fresh basil leaves during cooking and add extra chopped herbs like thyme or oregano for deeper aromatic complexity.
• Fire-roast fresh tomatoes at home by broiling them with olive oil for an intensified smoky depth that elevates the soup's taste profile.
• Stir in cooked shredded chicken, crispy pancetta, or white beans to transform this soup from a simple starter into a hearty main course meal.

Serving Suggestions for Tomato Basil Soup

• Cozy Bread Companions: Slice up some crusty sourdough or garlic bread to dip into the rich, creamy soup, soaking up all those delicious tomato and basil flavors.
• Herbal Fresh Topping: Sprinkle some chopped fresh basil leaves or chives on top for a burst of bright color and an extra layer of aromatic freshness that complements the soup's creamy texture.
• Protein Power Side: Add a grilled chicken breast on the side or crumble some crispy bacon bits over the soup to transform this classic dish into a more substantial meal that satisfies bigger appetites.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Serve with a small side of additional grated Parmesan or a few crispy cheese crisps to enhance the already cheesy profile of this comforting tomato soup.

Keep Creamy Tomato Basil Soup Tasting Fresh

• Fridge Fresh Storage: Keep your soup in an airtight container for 3-4 days, ensuring maximum flavor retention and quality. The cool environment helps maintain the soup's creamy texture and prevents bacterial growth.
• Freezer Smart Approach: Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving about an inch of space at the top. Freeze up to 2 months for a quick, comforting meal later. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before gently reheating.
• Portion Control Trick: Divide soup into individual serving sizes before storing. This method allows easy single-serving meals and prevents unnecessary repeated thawing of the entire batch.
• Reheat with Care: Warm soup slowly over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to maintain its smooth consistency. Add a splash of chicken broth or cream if the soup seems too thick after refrigeration. Avoid boiling to prevent separation of dairy ingredients.

Silky Tomato Basil Soup Recipe

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4.7 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Rich, comforting creamy tomato basil soup delivers classic Italian flavors with minimal ingredients. Smooth marinara blends with fresh herbs, creating a hearty meal perfect for home cooks seeking delicious comfort.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 (14 oz / 400 g) cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes with juice
• 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 1–2 cups milk, half and half, or heavy cream
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 4 stalks celery, chopped into thirds
• 4 medium carrots, peeled and chopped into thirds
• ½ large onion, peeled and quartered
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled
• 3 tbsps butter
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• ¼ cup flour
• 1 tbsp dried basil or ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
• 1 tsp dried oregano or 1 tbsp fresh oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp dried parsley
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
• Garnish (optional): freshly grated Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

1. Prep Aromatics: Mince celery, carrots, onion, and garlic into a uniform texture using a food processor or sharp knife, creating a flavor-rich foundation for the soup.
2. Sauté Base: Heat butter and olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add minced vegetables and cook until translucent and aromatic, roughly 4 minutes.
3. Build Roux: Sprinkle flour over softened vegetables, stirring continuously to create a smooth thickening agent. Toast briefly to eliminate raw flour flavor.
4. Develop Soup Body: Pour chicken broth while whisking to prevent lumps. Add fire-roasted tomatoes and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer for 15 minutes, allowing vegetables to soften completely.
5. Enrich and Cream: Incorporate Parmesan cheese, melting fully into the mixture. Blend in milk, half and half, or cream to create a luxurious, silky consistency. Simmer on low heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring intermittently.
6. Smooth Texture: Use an immersion blender directly in the pot or carefully transfer to a standard blender, processing until completely smooth. Take precautions to release steam and prevent splattering.
7. Final Refinement: Discard bay leaf and adjust soup consistency with additional chicken broth or cream. Taste and modify seasonings to personal preference.
8. Presentation: Ladle into warm bowls and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, creating an elegant and flavorful finishing touch.

Notes

• Prep Like a Pro: Mince vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and balanced flavor distribution throughout the soup.
• Roux Mastery: Cook flour thoroughly to eliminate raw taste and create a smooth, silky base that thickens the soup perfectly.
• Blending Safely: Use an immersion blender or carefully transfer hot soup to a standard blender, always releasing steam to prevent dangerous splattering.
• Flavor Layering: Adjust seasonings gradually and taste repeatedly to build a rich, complex taste profile that enhances the soup’s creamy texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 410 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 21 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg