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Creamy Tomato Basil Soup: 15-Minute Comfort Food

creamy tomato basil soup - featured image

A quick, silky-smooth tomato basil soup made with fresh garden tomatoes, sautéed aromatics, and a touch of cream. This recipe captures the essence of summer in under 30 minutes without needing an oven.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds fresh ripe tomatoes (Roma or beefsteak), roughly chopped
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 34 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup vegetable or chicken stock (low-sodium)
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, divided (some for cooking, some for garnish)
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream or coconut milk (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, if tomatoes are acidic)

Instructions

  1. Wash tomatoes and remove cores. Roughly chop into large chunks. (Optional: Blanch and peel for smoother texture).
  2. Heat butter and olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat.
  3. Add diced onion and cook until translucent (3-4 minutes).
  4. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to brown.
  5. Add chopped tomatoes, half of the basil leaves, and stock to the pot.
  6. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for 10-15 minutes until tomatoes collapse.
  7. Remove from heat and blend with an immersion blender until smooth. (If using a countertop blender, blend in batches and vent lid).
  8. Stir in heavy cream or coconut milk if using.
  9. Season with salt and pepper. Add sugar if needed to balance acidity.
  10. Stir in remaining fresh basil leaves just before serving.
  11. Serve hot, garnished with olive oil and fresh basil.

Notes

If tomatoes are particularly tart, add a pinch of sugar. For a dairy-free option, use coconut milk instead of cream. If using canned tomatoes, adjust cooking time as they are already soft. Ensure stock is low-sodium to control salt levels.

Nutrition

Keywords: tomato soup, basil soup, creamy tomato soup, quick soup, comfort food, summer recipes, gluten-free, vegetarian