Tomato Basil Soup Recipe

Elevate your classic tomato soup by roasting your tomatoes and throwing in some garlic, caramelized onions, and fresh basil. This super simple recipe is perfect to pair with a grilled cheese sandwich or to just enjoy it on its own with a little dollop of cream. Let’s get cooking!

What You Need for Tomato Basil Soup

• 4 pounds tomatoes
• 6 cloves garlic
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp butter (or more olive oil)
• 2 yellow onions
• 56 oz canned tomatoes
• 1 cup fresh basil
• 3.5 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tsp sugar (optional)
• 1 tsp crushed red chili flakes (optional)
• fresh cream (optional)
• croutons (optional)

How to Make Tomato Basil Soup

1. First, you must preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Slice each tomato in half (lengthwise) and spread them across the baking sheets in a single layer. Add the whole cloves of garlic to each baking sheet. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and season well with salt and pepper. Roast for approximately 45 minutes.

2. Heat 1 tablespoon of butter and the remaining tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook them until they start to brown and caramelize. Stir them often to avoid burning.

3. Throw in the canned tomatoes, fresh basil, broth, sugar, and red chili flakes to the pot. Simmer this over low heat until the tomatoes in the oven have finished roasting. Once they’re done roasting, add the tomatoes to the pot with their juices, and return to a simmer.

4. Continue to simmer the soup uncovered and over low heat for approximately 20 minutes. Once done, let it cool for a bit.

5. You may now start pureeing the soup. Work in batches and carefully blend them in a high-speed blender or a food processor. Avoid over-blending the soup.

6. Return the soup to your pot and season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Top it off with fresh basil, crunchy croutons, or a splash of fresh cream once you serve. Enjoy!

Do you want to have fresh tomatoes and basil all-year round at the tip of your hands? Why not try growing them on your own? Check out our Sweet Basil Seeds here.