Creamy Tomato Basil Soup (Printable View)

Velvety tomato and basil blend with cream and crisp golden croutons for a cozy meal.

# Ingredient List:

→ For the Soup

01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 cans (14.5 oz each) whole peeled tomatoes, with juice
05 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
06 - 2 cups vegetable broth
07 - 1 teaspoon sugar
08 - 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
09 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
10 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
11 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
12 - 1 large handful fresh basil leaves, plus extra for garnish

→ For the Croutons

13 - 2 cups day-old bread, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
14 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
15 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
16 - 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F for the croutons.
02 - Toss bread cubes with olive oil, salt, and garlic powder (if using). Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, stirring once, until golden and crisp. Set aside.
03 - In a large saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and sauté 5-6 minutes, until soft and translucent.
04 - Add garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring often.
05 - Stir in tomato paste, cook for 1 minute, then add canned tomatoes (with juice), breaking them up with a spoon.
06 - Pour in vegetable broth, add sugar, salt, pepper, and oregano. Bring to a simmer.
07 - Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
08 - Add fresh basil leaves and blend the soup until smooth using an immersion blender (or in batches in a blender; return to pot).
09 - Stir in heavy cream and heat gently until warmed through. Taste and adjust seasoning.
10 - Ladle soup into bowls, garnish with extra basil leaves, and scatter croutons on top. Serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The cream makes it restaurant-smooth without any fancy techniques
  • Fresh basil transforms it into something special, not just dinner backup
02 -
  • Let the soup cool slightly before blending if you're nervous about hot liquid splashing
  • The cream can separate if you boil it hard, so keep the heat gentle once it's added
03 -
  • Use an immersion blender if you have one, way less mess than transferring hot soup
  • Taste your tomatoes before adding sugar, some brands are sweeter than others

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