Creamy Tomato Soup Basil (Printable)

Velvety tomato blend with cream and basil for a warm, flavorful dish.

# What you'll need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 2 lbs ripe tomatoes, chopped (or 2 x 14 oz cans whole tomatoes)
05 - 1 medium carrot, peeled and diced

→ Liquids

06 - 2 cups vegetable broth
07 - ⅓ cup plus 1 tablespoon heavy cream

→ Herbs & Seasonings

08 - 1 teaspoon sugar
09 - 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
10 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
11 - 1 small bunch fresh basil leaves, plus extra for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and carrot, sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
02 - Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add tomatoes (with juices if using canned), vegetable broth, sugar, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
04 - Remove from heat. Stir in basil leaves.
05 - Use an immersion blender (or transfer to a blender in batches) to puree the soup until smooth.
06 - Return soup to low heat. Stir in heavy cream and heat gently for 2–3 minutes. Adjust seasoning to taste.
07 - Ladle into bowls, garnish with extra basil, and serve hot.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The velvety texture comes from simple cream and a quick puree, no fancy techniques required
  • Fresh basil added at the end keeps its bright flavor instead of cooking into nothingness
  • This soup tastes like it simmered all day but comes together in under 45 minutes
02 -
  • Let the soup cool slightly before blending if using a standard blender, otherwise steam pressure can cause dangerous splattering
  • Add the cream at the end after pureeing to prevent separation and curdling
  • Taste and adjust seasoning after adding cream, as dairy can mellow saltiness
03 -
  • Use an immersion blender if possible—it's easier and creates less mess than transferring hot soup
  • Don't skip the carrot, as it adds natural sweetness without overpowering the tomato flavor

Return