Description
A thick, velvety, and comforting tomato soup made with just a few simple ingredients. This beginner-proof recipe uses canned tomatoes and a quick simmer to achieve a rich, roasted flavor without the effort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cans (28 oz each) whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes or crushed tomatoes
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, packed
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon olive oil (for serving)
- Optional: Red pepper flakes for heat
Instructions
- Heat butter in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat.
- Add diced onion and cook for 5 minutes until soft and translucent.
- Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more, being careful not to let it brown.
- Pour in canned tomatoes (with juices), broth, and sugar. Stir to combine.
- Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 10 minutes to meld flavors and thicken.
- Remove pot from heat. Use an immersion blender to blend the soup until completely smooth. Alternatively, blend in batches in a countertop blender, venting the lid carefully.
- Stir in heavy cream and fresh basil leaves.
- Taste and season with salt and black pepper as needed.
- Ladle into bowls, drizzle with olive oil, and serve immediately with crusty bread or grilled cheese.
Notes
For a vegan version, substitute butter with olive oil, heavy cream with coconut or cashew cream, and chicken broth with vegetable broth. If the soup is too thin, simmer longer or blend in a small amount of cream cheese or potato. Add fresh basil at the end to preserve its bright flavor and color. The sugar is optional but helps neutralize tomato acidity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 5
Keywords: tomato soup, basil soup, creamy soup, easy soup, vegetarian soup, comfort food, 3-ingredient recipe, roasted tomato soup