Oh, you know those days, right? The ones where the wind is howling a bit, maybe there’s a chill in the air, and all you want is something warm and comforting to hug you from the inside out? That’s exactly when I reach for my absolute favorite Delicious Tomato Basil Soup recipe. It’s not fancy, it’s not complicated, but trust me, it’s pure magic in a bowl. This soup is like a cozy blanket for your soul, bursting with the bright, fresh flavors of tomatoes and basil. It brings back memories of rainy afternoons spent in the kitchen, the best kind of cozy! It’s honestly my go-to whenever I need a little pick-me-up, and I just know you’re going to love it too.

Why This Delicious Tomato Basil Soup Recipe For Cozy Days is a Must-Try

Honestly, there are so many reasons I keep coming back to this simple soup, and I bet you’ll find your own too:

Super Speedy: It’s ready in about 35 minutes total – perfect for when hunger strikes fast!
Crazy Easy: Seriously, if you can chop an onion, you can make this soup. No chef skills required, promise!
Flavor Punch: That combo of ripe tomatoes and fresh basil? Pure perfection and so satisfying.
So Versatile: It’s fantastic on its own, but incredible with grilled cheese or crusty bread.
Cozy Vibes: It just screams comfort! It’s the ultimate bowl for those chilly, “stay inside” kind of days.

Gather Your Ingredients for Delicious Tomato Basil Soup

Alright, let’s get our mise en place ready! This is the fun part where we gather all the goodies that’ll make our soup sing. You won’t need anything too fancy, which is another reason I love it so much. Here’s what you’ll need to snag:

2 tablespoons of good quality olive oil (you can tell I’m a fan of starting with good oil!)
1 large onion, finely chopped – no one likes big onion chunks in their smooth soup, right?
2 cloves of garlic, minced – because garlic makes everything better, duh!
1 (28 ounce) can of crushed tomatoes – the star of the show!
4 cups of vegetable broth – I usually use low-sodium so I can control the saltiness myself.
About 1/2 cup of fresh basil leaves, chopped up – make sure they’re fresh, the flavor is way different!
1/4 cup of heavy cream, if you’re feeling a little extra (totally optional, but oh-so-good!)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to your taste.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Delicious Tomato Basil Soup

Making this soup is honestly a breeze, and it all comes together so quickly! You’ll be warming up with a delicious bowl before you know it. Just follow these easy steps and you’ll have a pot of pure comfort ready in no time. It’s really that simple! For more simple recipes, check out these crispy baked zucchini fries – another quick win!

Sautéing the Aromatics

First things first, grab a big pot or Dutch oven. Pour in your olive oil and let it heat up over medium heat. Toss in that chopped onion and let it get soft and a little see-through, which usually takes about 5 to 7 minutes. Then, add your minced garlic and stir it around for just another minute until it smells amazing. You don’t want to burn the garlic, so keep an eye on it!

Simmering the Tomato Base

Now for the heart of the soup! Stir in your crushed tomatoes and the vegetable broth. Give it a good mix so everything is combined. Crank up the heat a little to bring the whole pot to a gentle simmer. Once it’s simmering, turn the heat down to low, pop a lid on (askew is fine!), and let it happily bubble away for about 15 minutes. This lets all those flavors really meld together.

Adding Fresh Basil and Cream

After it’s had its nice simmer, it’s time to add the good stuff! Stir in your chopped fresh basil leaves. If you’re feeling a bit decadent, now’s the time to swirl in that heavy cream. It makes the soup extra rich and velvety! Just give it a good stir to incorporate everything.

Seasoning and Serving

Almost there! Taste your soup and add salt and pepper until it’s just right for you. That’s the beauty of homemade – you control the seasoning! Give it one last stir, and your delicious tomato basil soup is ready to go. Ladle it into bowls and serve it piping hot. It’s absolutely perfect right off the stove!

Tips for the Perfect Delicious Tomato Basil Soup

Okay, so making this soup is already super easy, but I’ve picked up a few little tricks over the years that just make it *extra* special. For starters, using really good quality crushed tomatoes makes a HUGE difference. And if you like it super smooth, don’t forget you can always use an immersion blender right in the pot! It’s a game-changer. I also love pairing it with some crusty bread, or heck, even a tiny side of caprese salad for a lighter meal. Looking for other cozy soup ideas? You absolutely HAVE to try this potato soup or even a classic French onion!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

A few things to chat about for this tomato basil soup! If you can’t find crushed tomatoes, good quality diced tomatoes can work, but you might need to blend them a bit more. For the basil, fresh is really best here – dried basil just doesn’t give you that vibrant, fresh punch. And if you’re dairy-free or just don’t have heavy cream, don’t worry! You can totally skip it, or try a splash of full-fat coconut milk for a similar creamy texture, though it will add a slight coconut note.

Serving and Storage for Your Delicious Tomato Basil Soup

This soup is just begging to be served hot, straight from the pot! I absolutely love garnishing it with a few extra fresh basil leaves – it just looks so pretty! And if you’re feeling fancy, a little swirl of that leftover cream or even a drizzle of your favorite olive oil adds a lovely touch. It’s also fantastic paired with some cheesy garlic bread, crispy crostini, or even a light Caprese salad for a complete meal.

Got leftovers? Lucky you! Let the soup cool down completely, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, just gently warm it on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally. You can also microwave it, but stovetop usually gives it a better consistency back. Enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions about Delicious Tomato Basil Soup

Got questions about this yummy soup? I’ve got answers! Here are a few things folks often ask:

Can I make this tomato basil soup vegan?

Absolutely! Just skip the heavy cream or use a splash of full-fat coconut milk or another dairy-free creamer. It’ll still be delicious!

How do I make the tomato basil soup thicker?

If you like it extra thick, you can simply simmer it a little longer uncovered to let some of the liquid evaporate. Or, try blending a portion of the soup (carefully!) with an immersion blender or regular blender and stir it back in. It’s like magic for texture!

What’s the best way to serve this cozy soup?

Oh, serving is the best part! It’s amazing on its own, of course, but I adore it with a gooey grilled cheese sandwich for dipping. Crusty bread, garlic bread, or some toasted bruschetta are also fantastic pairings. Basically, anything that helps you scoop up every last drop!

Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?

You can! If you have super ripe fresh tomatoes, definitely use them. You’ll want to use about 2 pounds of them, blanched, peeled, and chopped. It’ll take a bit more prep, but fresh tomatoes give a wonderful bright flavor, especially in the summer!

Nutritional Information (Estimated)

Just a heads-up, these numbers are an estimate, okay? They can totally change depending on the brands you use and if you add that creamy goodness or not. But roughly, for one serving (about 1.5 cups), you’re looking at around 180 calories. It’s got about 8g of fat, 5g of protein, and 20g of carbs. Pretty reasonable for a delicious bowl of comfort!

Delicious Tomato Basil Soup

Author: smaakvolle.nl
Total Time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A simple and flavorful tomato basil soup perfect for cozy days.

Ingredients

Scale

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
4 cups vegetable broth
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
1/4 cup heavy cream (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
Stir in crushed tomatoes and vegetable broth. Bring to a simmer.
Reduce heat and let simmer for 15 minutes.
Stir in fresh basil. If using, stir in heavy cream.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve hot.

Notes

For a smoother soup, you can use an immersion blender or transfer the soup to a regular blender.
Garnish with extra basil leaves or a swirl of cream.

Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 25 min
Category: Soup
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1.5 cups
Calories: 180
Sugar: 12g
Sodium: 600mg
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 5g
Cholesterol: 10mg

Keywords: tomato basil soup, easy soup recipe, vegetarian soup, cozy recipe, homemade soup