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    Home » Recipes » Everyday Meals

    Modified: Feb 17, 2023 · Published: Jul 28, 2020 by Melinda O'Malley Keckler · This post may contain affiliate links · this blog generates income from ads.

    Best Homemade Tomato Basil Soup

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Homemade Tomato Basil Soup is thick and full of rich, fresh flavor thanks to oven-roasted tomatoes, garlic and onions. Soup, stews and chowders that are made from scratch, just like Crockpot Clam Chowder or hearty Beef Stew are always the best and this recipe is proof. Any variety of fresh tomatoes will work, but Roma tomatoes help create a thick, rich soup. Make it tonight and enjoy every spoonful.

    A bowl of tomato basil soup with crackers, cheese and basil on the side.
    This tomato soup is rich and thick and full of flavor.
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients for Tomato Basil Soup
    • How to Oven Roast
    • Is This Soup or Bisque
    • Equipment
    • Stovetop Directions
    • Top Tips and FAQ
    • What to Serve with Tomato Basil Soup
    • Other Recipes Using Tomatoes
    • Recipe
    • Comments

    Ingredients for Tomato Basil Soup

    • Roma tomatoes 
    • Garlic
    • Onion 
    • Olive oil
    • 2, 28-ounce cans of crushed tomatoes with basil 
    • 1, 32-ounce carton of organic vegetable broth
    • Fresh basil 
    • Cayenne pepper 
    • Heavy whipping cream

    See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

    How to Oven Roast

    The big secret to the fantastic flavor is to oven-roast the tomatoes, garlic and onions.

    Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and arrange the tomatoes, onions and garlic across the paper.

    Brush with olive oil then sprinkle with salt and pepper.

    Place the baking sheet in the oven and roast at 450° F for about an hour.

    Listen to the sizzle after oven-roasting the tomatoes, onions and garlic.

    One of the best parts about making this soup at home is the aroma that will fill your kitchen while the tomatoes, onions and garlic are roasting in the oven.

    The delicious scents might remind you of your favorite Italian restaurant. Nothing short of divine.

    Is This Soup or Bisque

    Generally speaking, bisque refers to the smooth texture of the soup and the addition of cream. If your tomato basil soup is thoroughly blended and silky smooth, it's bisque.

    If you leave chunks of tomato, basil or onion you have created tomato basil soup.

    Pro tip: Like a more creamy option? Simply blend Tomato Basil Soup with the hand-held blender for a few extra minutes and you'll have a delicious Tomato Basil Bisque

    I've made this recipe both ways. My personal favorite is when it's extra smooth and creamy and bisque-like.

    Equipment

    As for equipment, it does help a lot if you have an immersion blender.

    There's no better way to blend ingredients for soup, than with a hand-held blender.

    Other than that, all you'll need is a baking sheet and a large stock pot.

    Tomatoes, garlic and onions chopped and arranged on a baking sheet.
    This right here is the start of great flavor when it comes to tomato soup. Oven roast your veggies and wait 'til you taste the difference.

    It's easy to think that a made-from-scratch soup is too much work, or would take too much time. That is not the case at all. This recipe is easy to make!

    If you enjoy a cozy, warm homemade soup, then you must try this recipe.

    Stovetop Directions

    Once the tomatoes, onions and garlic are roasted, place them in a large stockpot and add the remaining ingredients - except for the whipping cream, you'll add that later.

    Use an immersion blender and combine the ingredients until the soup is smooth and creamy.

    A bowl a tomato basil soup with crackers and fresh basil on the side.

    If you like a Tomato Basil Soup that's a little chunky, all good! You'll control the texture.

    If you like your soup to be smooth and creamy and more like a silky bisque, just use the immersion blender until you get a perfectly smooth consistency.

    Simmer the ingredients for about 30 minutes.

    Add whipping cream, heat the soup gently (don't boil) then serve.

    A stock pot on the stove, full of tomato basil soup.

    Top Tips and FAQ

    Can I freeze the soup to enjoy later?

    Absolutely. In fact, you'll thank yourself for months to come if you have a few quarts of the soup on hand in the freezer. I recommend allowing the soup to cool slightly, then pouring it into a quart-sized, freezer-safe container.

    Be sure to allow at least an inch between the top of the soup and the top of the freezer container, to allow for expansion when the soup freezes.

    I have TONS of tomatoes in my garden, can I substitute the canned tomatoes and use all fresh in this recipe?

    My hunch is you sure can. But, I've never been lucky enough to have that many fresh tomatoes on hand all at once. If you have success with that please let me know in the comments.

    Tomato Basil Soup in a bowl with crackers on the side.
    This tomato soup (extra-smooth and prepared as a bisque in this photo) is so rich and thick and full of flavor.

    What to Serve with Tomato Basil Soup

    Serve with saltine crackers, crusty bread or garlic bread, grilled cheese sandwiches, or a fresh salad. Some delicious side salad options to serve with your soup are:

    • Pesto pasta salad being served from a bowl with parmesan cheese on top
      Pesto Pasta Salad with Peas
    • Sweet corn salad on a plate with corn on the cob in the background.
      Sweet Corn Pasta Salad
    • Sliced cucumbers and onions in a jar on a table.
      Refrigerator Pickles
    • Spicy Black-Eyed Pea Salad

    My family is a big fan of serving grilled cheese sandwiches with this creamy comfort food soup.

    A bowl of tomato basil soup with crackers, cheese and basil on the side.

    Other Recipes Using Tomatoes

    Whether canned or fresh, tomatoes are often the centerpiece of classic family favorite recipes. Here are a few that are very popular around my dinner table.

    Tomato-Cream Sauce is a simple way to create a homemade tomato sauce any time you need a saucy topping for pasta.

    Baked Beef Burritos, this is a recipe that my family requests time and time again, the canned tomatoes are spiced up with a homemade spice mix, plus there's even fresh spinach and black beans. This recipe is a keeper!

    Idaho Chili calls for plenty of diced tomatoes and tomato sauce. I also include beans in my chili recipe, it's delicious every time.

    If you tried Tomato Basil Soup or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below.

    Recipe

    A bowl of tomato basil soup with crackers, cheese and basil on the side.

    Tomato Basil Soup

    This homemade soup is thick and full of flavor thanks to oven-roasted tomatoes, garlic and onions. Any variety of fresh tomatoes will work, but Roma tomatoes provide a nice sturdy base. Serve with Four Ingredient Basic Biscuits for a winning combination,
    5 from 139 votes
    Print Rate Pin Recipe
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 40 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6 -8 people
    Calories: 190kcal
    Author: Melinda O'Malley Keckler

    Ingredients 

    • 10 Roma tomatoes - cut in half
    • 5 garlic cloves - about two tablespoons of chopped garlic
    • 1 onion - sliced
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • salt and pepper to taste - or about ½ teaspoon each
    • 2, 28 ounce cans crushed tomatoes with basil - I use Muir Glen organic brand
    • 1, 32 ounce carton of organic vegetable broth
    • 1 cup fresh basil - roughly chopped
    • 1 tablespoon salt
    • 2 teaspoons pepper
    • ¼ cup sugar
    • ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper - to taste, or leave it out because this adds noticeable "kick" to your soup
    • ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
    • Dried or fresh, sliced basil and grated parmesan cheese for garnish - optional

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 450° 

    Oven-Roast Tomatoes, Onion and Garlic

    • Spray a 13 x 9 baking sheet with Pam, or line the pan with parchment paper.
      Place tomatoes, garlic and onions on the baking sheet and brush with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
      Bake for 45-60 minutes in hot oven or until everything is roasted and sizzling and tomatoes have started to blister. (The cooking time will be shorter if you use a different variety of tomatoes. But either way, this smells SO great while it's roasting in the oven!)

    Blend Ingredients and Simmer

    • Combine all ingredients except whipping cream in a large stock pot, use an immersion blender and mix everything together to create the perfect tomato soup texture. Bring to a low boil, reduce heat and allow to simmer for 20-30 minutes.
      Add whipping cream and heat gently before serving. Garnish with dried or fresh basil and grated parmesan cheese.
    • Serve and enjoy! Tomato Basil Soup is delicious with crackers, fresh toast or grilled cheese sandwiches.

    Notes

    If you like your soup to be smooth and creamy and more like a silky bisque, just use the immersion blender until you get a perfectly smooth consistency. Freezing Tip: Be sure to allow at least an inch between the top of the soup and the top of the freezer container, to allow for expansion in the freezer when the soup freezes. Serve Tomato Basil Soup with Individual Charcuterie Cups for a great variety of flavors and textures. 
    Calories: 190kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 4gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 1971mgPotassium: 701mgFiber: 4gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 1856IUVitamin C: 29mgCalcium: 82mgIron: 2mg

    Please note, the nutrition details are estimated using a food database, so they’re just a rough estimate not an exact science.

    Did you try this recipe? Leave a comment below or @crinkledcookbook on Instagram, snap a photo and tag it #crinkledcookbook

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    Comments

      5 from 139 votes (133 ratings without comment)

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    1. Nora says

      January 18, 2023 at 11:37 am

      5 stars
      Your tomato soup turned out perfectly! Ideal after a walk in the cold! Love it!

      Reply
    2. nancy says

      January 18, 2023 at 9:21 am

      5 stars
      i served this delicious tomato Basil Soup with grilled cheese and the whole family loved it. they loved how thick and flavourful this soup is!

      Reply
    3. Alexandra says

      January 17, 2023 at 11:54 pm

      5 stars
      This soup is so hearty and delicious! It's Summer here in Australia, and we have homegrown Roma tomatoes in abundance - just perfect. Tomato and basil is the best combination of flavours!

      Reply
    4. Liz McCray says

      January 17, 2023 at 8:23 pm

      5 stars
      Can't go wrong with tomato basil soup! This is the perfect idea for the cold and rainy year we've had so far in SoCal!

      Reply
    5. Chef Dennis says

      June 11, 2021 at 7:49 pm

      5 stars
      This Tomato Basil Soup looks so yummy!

      Reply
    6. Audrey says

      June 10, 2021 at 6:59 pm

      5 stars
      I can't wait to try this! It looks amazing.

      Reply

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