Creamy Tomato Basil Soup Recipe
This homemade Creamy Tomato Basil Soup Recipe combines crushed tomatoes, fire-roasted tomatoes, onion, garlic powder, half and half, and fresh basil. Full of flavor and easy to make, it’s the perfect comfort food!
This homemade tomato basil soup is everything you could ask for and more with its fresh taste, creamy texture, and incredible flavors! Admittedly, this recipe was the result of a Campbell’s Soup ad.
You see while watching television the other night, a commercial was shown of an absolutely delicious melty, ooey-gooey grilled cheese sandwich being dipped into a bowl of Campbell’s tomato soup.
All of us watching quickly decided that we were all craving grilled cheese and tomato soup! So, naturally, I had to make my own version with better-for-you ingredients.
And I’m happy to say this recipe does not disappoint! It has all the classic savory tomato taste you love with a creamy texture that’s hard to resist. Admittedly, we didn’t enjoy it with grilled cheese sandwiches. However, we did pair it with subs, and the whole family agreed it was a hit!
Use fresh or canned tomatoes and a large pot, and you can have this soup on teh table with minimal prep time in less than 30 minutes. Plus, leftovers store well. So, you might want to go ahead and make an extra batch! Your future self will thank you.
Creamy Tomato Basil Soup Ingredients
Below is an overview of the ingredients and instructions for this recipe. Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below for the complete details!
- Butter – Use unsalted butter to avoid too much sodium in your soup. This sautés the onions, creating an ultra-rich taste!
- Onion – We love to use sweet onion, but white onion will also work.
- Tomato Paste – This helps thicken the soup and enhances the acidity, creating a bold tomatoey flavor.
- Chicken Stock or Chicken Broth – This forms the base of the broth. If needed, vegetable broth will also work. We recommend using low-sodium varieties whichever you choose!
- Tomatoes – Use a combination of whole tomatoes and fire-roasted tomatoes to give the soup a slightly smokey flavor and extra depth. You can use fresh tomatoes, too! Just make sure to blanch them first, and remove the skin.
- Herbs and Spices – Garlic powder, salt, and fresh basil enhance the savoriness of the dish and add a bright peppery taste.
- Half and Half – This creates a rich flavor and a smooth, velvety consistency! If preferred, heavy cream or coconut milk will also work for this creamy tomato soup.
How to Make Homemade Tomato Basil Soup
- Sauté. In a large soup pot, sauté the onions in butter over medium heat. Once the onions are translucent, stir in the tomato paste. Allow it to cook, stirring constantly until it begins to brown.
- Combine. Add the chicken stock, and scrape the bottom of the pot with a wooden spatula, scraping up any browned bits. These add tons of flavor! Then, add the tomatoes including the juices, garlic powder, and salt.
- Simmer. Bring the soup to a boil. Then, reduce the heat, and simmer covered. Turn the burner off.
- Blend. Use an immersion blender to purée the soup in the pot. Or, allow the soup to cool. Then, transfer the soup to a blender or food processor, and blend until smooth. Do NOT transfer hot soup to a blender! It will expand and explode all over your kitchen. Been there. Done that. It’s not fun!
- Add the remaining ingredients. Add the fresh basil leaves and half and half. Pulse a few times to incorporate the ingredients into the soup. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
We love to top our soup with fresh parsley. However, it’s also great with fresh basil, croutons, crispy chickpeas, or parmesan flakes.
Enjoy it on its own, or pair it with options like:
- Grilled Cheese
- Crusty Bread
- Greek Mason Jar Salad
- Cheesy Garlic Bread Pizza
- Bruschetta Chicken
How to Store and Reheat
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for four to five days.
- Freeze this creamy tomato basil soup for up to three months! For easy portions, we love to use soup cubes.
- Thaw frozen soup in the fridge overnight. Then, warm it in a pot over medium heat on the stove. Or, reheat individual portions in 30-second intervals in the microwave.
Creamy Tomato Basil Soup Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 Tablespoons butter
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 ounces tomato paste
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 28 ounce can whole tomatoes (see notes)
- 28 ounce can fire roasted tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 5 large fresh basil leaves, finely chopped
- 1 cup half and half (see notes)
Instructions
- In a soup pot, sauté onions in the butter over medium heat until translucent. Stir in the tomato paste and cook while stirring until it starts to brown or about 3-5 minutes.4 Tablespoons butter, 1 large onion, chopped, 3 ounces tomato paste
- Pour in the chicken stock and scrape the bottom of the pot with a wooden spatula to remove any caramelized brown bits (brown bits=flavor!).4 cups chicken stock
- Add the canned whole tomatoes, fire roasted tomatoes, garlic powder and salt. Bring to a boil. Then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes, covered. Remove from heat.28 ounce can whole tomatoes, 28 ounce can fire roasted tomatoes, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt
- Use an immersion blender to puree the soup right in the pot, or once the soup is not hot, transfer the soup in batches to a blender or food processor to puree. (DO NOT add hot liquids to a blender or food processor as they will expand and possibly explode causing injury.)
- After the soup is smooth, add in the chopped basil and half and half. Pulse a few times with the immersion blender to incorporate. Add in additional salt, if needed.5 large fresh basil leaves, finely chopped, 1 cup half and half
- Store the soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Notes
Nutrition
More Delicious Soup Recipes
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We make this soup on repeat when our garden tomatoes and basil come in! Such a yummy recipe.