Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

Ingredients

This is a brief overview of our easy tomato soup recipe. For step-by-step instructions and a full printable recipe card with ingredients, please scroll down to the teal box below.

• Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps the vegetables soften and caramelize slightly. You can use salted or unsalted butter. If you use salted butter, taste the soup before adding extra salt.
• Olive Oil: Keeps the butter from browning too quickly and adds a little extra savory flavor. Use regular olive oil or extra virgin olive oil. You can also use all butter if that is what you have.
• Onion: Builds the soup’s savory base and adds natural sweetness as it cooks. Yellow onion works especially well, but white or sweet onion works too.
• Fresh Garlic: Adds savory flavor and depth to the tomato base. Fresh garlic gives you the best flavor, but jarred minced garlic works when you need a shortcut.
• Carrots: Add subtle sweetness that offsets the tomatoes’ acidity. Dice them fairly small, so they soften quickly and blend smoothly into the soup.
• Celery: Adds another level of savory flavor to the vegetable base. Chop it finely so it cooks at the same pace as the carrots and onion.
• Canned Diced Tomatoes: Form the heart of the soup and make this recipe easy and economical year-round. Regular diced tomatoes work well. Fire-roasted tomatoes are a great variation if you want a deeper, slightly smoky flavor.
• Chicken Stock: Thins the tomatoes and adds savory flavor without making the soup watery. You can use chicken broth instead. Vegetable stock also works if you want a vegetarian soup.
• Dried Basil: Gives the soup its classic tomato-basil flavor and makes this recipe easy to make with pantry staples. Rub the dried basil between your fingers before adding it to help release more flavor. You can also finish the soup with fresh basil if you have some.
• Sugar: A small amount helps balance the natural acidity of the tomatoes. It should not make your soup taste sweet. Start with less, taste the soup, then add more if your tomatoes are especially acidic.
• Cream: Makes the soup smooth, rich, and creamy. I like heavy cream best, but light cream or half-and-half are lighter options and work too. Add it near the end of cooking and keep the heat gentle after you stir it in.
• Seasonings: salt, black pepper, and dried basil are the only seasonings used. The fresh garlic, vegetables, and tomatoes provide the rest of the flavor.
• Optional Toppings: store-bought or homemade croutons, fresh Parmesan cheese, fresh basil, cracked black pepper

I love how quickly this soup can come together for dinner. I first made it on a snowy Sunday afternoon, but you can easily make it on any weeknight since it only needs to simmer for a little while.

Serving Suggestions

• These homemade garlic basil croutons are awesome, of course! You can make these croutons ahead of time and store them in an airtight container. It’s a good way to use up stale bread.
• Our Garlic and Herb Cheese Bombs would also make a yummy addition to this meal.
• Grilled cheese and tomato soup always go together! For a more grown-up version that complements the basil, try this Pesto Grilled Cheese recipe from Baking Mischief.
• Top the tomato basil soup with Cheesy Tater Tots. It’s a delicious alternative to croutons!

Jiffy Jalapeno Corn Muffin

35 minutes mins

Pizza Dough Breadsticks

35 minutes mins

Cheddar Bacon Muffins

30 minutes mins

Garlic Knots

25 minutes mins