Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
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This creamy tomato basil soup is made from scratch, reheats well and can be prepared in advance. Ready in 30 minutes, it’s a quick and easy option for weeknight dinners.
Homemade soups are easy to make and most of them can be made ahead so they are perfect for meal prep!
This homemade tomato soup is definitely one of them and the best thing is that it does not require any expensive ingredients, which also makes it a great and affordable dinner option.
This tomato basil soup recipe serves 4, but it can be easily doubled or tripled, if needed.
How to make tomato soup with basil
In a pot, melt butter and add onion and leek. Sauté until translucent. This will take about 3-4 minutes. Then, add tomatoes, vegetable stock, tomato paste, salt, pepper, dried basil and sugar.
Mix and cover with a lid. When it starts boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes.
When ready, add half and half and purée until smooth. Bring the soup to a boil again and turn off the heat.
Optional garnish/add-ons
Like I’ve said, these are optional, which means you don’t need to use anything, but for me any tomato soup always tastes better with some yummy toppings.
Some of them add an extra flavor, others texture, but most of them can turn this easy soup recipe into a filling meal.
- Croutons
- Fresh basil
- Grilled cheese
- Olive oil
- Freshly cracked black pepper
- Tiny pasta (like orzo, alphabet, …)
- Toasted bread (with butter)
- Cheese – shredded cheddar or mozzarella are my favorites, but you can use anything you like
- Roasted pumpkin seeds
Julia’s tips
- Make sure to use good-quality tomatoes. The best ones are without a doubt all Italian brands. My favorite ones are peeled plum tomatoes in a rich sauce, but you can use crushed tomatoes as well. This is a simple tomato soup with only a few main ingredients, so spending a bit more on a can will make the difference!
- Note that you might need to adjust the quantity of sugar and seasoning. This will depend on how sweet the canned tomatoes are.
- Tomato soup with basil is tasty on its own, but adding some toppings will bring it to a whole new level!
- Brown sugar can be substituted with white sugar.
- If you are not a vegetarian, you can use chicken stock instead of vegetable broth.
- You could substitute half and half with heavy cream if you prefer a richer, creamier taste.
More easy recipes that might interest you:
- Gazpacho Soup also made with tomatoes (fresh ones) is a Spanish summer classic. Why not give it a go?
- Stuffed Tomatoes – serve this as a main or side or entrée, if you like.
- Jalapeno Potato Soup
- Sweet Potato Soup
Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter , see note 1
- 1 onion , about 1 cup, minced
- 1 cup leek , chopped
- 1 can peeled plum tomatoes (14-ounce/400 milliliters), see note 2
- 2 cups vegetable stock , see note 3
- 2 tablespoons double-concentrated tomato paste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper , almost full
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoons brown sugar , see note 4
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- ½ cup half and half , see note 5
- fresh basil for garnish, optional
- croutons for garnish, optional
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Instructions
- In a medium pot (2 quart/2 liter), melt the butter and add minced onion and chopped leek and sauté for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Then, add plum tomatoes, stock, tomato paste, pepper, salt, sugar and dried basil. Stir well. You can crush the tomatoes with a spatula. Cover with a lid and bring to a boil. Then, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Add half and half and bring to a boil again. Turn off the heat and purée the soup until smooth.
- Taste it and add more seasoning, if needed.
- Serve with fresh basil, croutons or anything you like (see note 6)!
Notes
- I use unsalted butter so I can control the amount of sodium we take. However, in this recipe you can simply use salted butter and reduce the quantity of salt, if needed.
- It’s important to use good quality canned tomatoes so try to find an Italian brand, if possible. You will taste the difference. They can be crushed or whole, it does not matter because you will purée them at the very end.
- Vegetable stock can be substituted with chicken stock/broth (if that’s what you have on hand and if you are not a vegetarian).
- Brown sugar can be substituted with white sugar. You might need to add more sugar. This will depend on how sweet/sour your tomatoes are.
- Half and half (US) = Single cream (UK).
- For more tips and topping options or if in doubt, please read the full post above this recipe card.
I love homemade tomato soup but haven’t made it for ages. Need to try your recipe pronto!
Enjoy!
This thick, flavorful tomato soup is just like my grandma’s recipe! Right now my heart and mind are filled with nostalgia. Thank you so much for sharing this delicious, comforting recipe. It’s plated so beautifully. I encourage everyone to make it!!!
That’s so good to hear, Denay! :) Thanks for your feedback!
Love the creaminess of this delicious soup. Healthy option for Dinner.
Absolutely!
This Tomato Soup looks so hearty and creamy! This is the perfect weekend meal to warm things up! YUM!
I”ve only ever had canned tomato soup, but this looks so amazingly delicious I’m going to make it! I love the tips, too!
You will love it, Jenn!