This tomato basil soup recipe results in an incredibly delicious, comforting, and easy-to-make soup you can make using a blender and basic pantry staples. And the best part? You also get to make your own croutons at home!
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You might only be familiar with the condensed stuff in a can, but the fresh version of this tomato basil soup tastes amazing and isn’t full of hard-to-pronounce words designed to maximize shelf life. It’s a simple, healthy, and delicious homemade tomato soup that’s a true classic, and making it at home is easier than you think!
Love the flavors of this tomato basil soup? Then you’ll definitely want to try my cherry tomato pizza sauce, homemade spaghetti sauce, and classic chili. They all share the same homemade goodness and are perfect for cozy, family-friendly meals.
This is a family favorite I’ve developed over time using fresh tomatoes. Homemade soups are so easy to make and I’m excited to share this recipe we love to have as a family with grilled cheese sandwiches. Comfort food for sure!
Why I Love This Recipe
- Fresh Ingredients: This recipe uses 2 lbs of fresh-picked tomatoes, a small sweet onion, and fresh basil, resulting in a soup that’s bursting with fresh, natural flavors.
- Family-Friendly: The soup is pureéd to a smooth consistency, making it perfect for the whole family, even the little ones. Plus, it’s a classic pairing with grilled cheese!
- Homemade Goodness: Say goodbye to the canned stuff! This recipe creates a homemade tomato soup that’s pure comfort in a bowl.
- Freezer-Friendly: This soup can be prepared and frozen, giving you a delicious, summery meal any time of the year. It’s a convenient and tasty option!
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Key Ingredients
- Fresh Tomatoes: These will be the star of the show, providing a sweet and tangy flavor that is the essence of the soup.
- Sweet Onion: This will add a subtle, sweet flavor and a bit of depth to the soup.
- Garlic: It will give the soup a rich, aromatic flavor that pairs perfectly with the tomatoes and basil.
- Olive Oil: This will be used to sauté the onions and garlic, adding a bit of richness to the soup.
- Tomato Paste: It will intensify the tomato flavor and give the soup a beautiful, deep red color.
- Salt: This will help to bring out the flavors of the other ingredients.
- Spices (Dill, Nutmeg): These will add a unique twist to the soup, with dill bringing a hint of freshness and nutmeg adding a warm, slightly sweet flavor.
- Fresh Basil: It will add a pop of fresh, herby flavor that pairs perfectly with the tomatoes.
- Vegetable Broth: This will be the base of the soup, adding a savory depth of flavor.
Equipment
- Blender – You’ll need this to puree the fresh tomatoes, tomato paste, sauté onions and garlic, and other ingredients to make a smooth base for the soup.
- Large Stockpot – This is essential for combining the puree with the vegetable broth and simmering the soup.
How to Make Tomato Basil Soup Recipe
Preparation
Prepare your fresh tomatoes by rinsing them and removing the green tops.
Step 1 – Sauté the Onion and Garlic
In a large pot, sauté the sweet onion and garlic in olive oil until they are brown and soft. Once done, set them aside.
Step 2 – Blend the Ingredients
Rinse the fresh tomatoes and remove the green tops. Then, in a blender, combine the tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, dill, nutmeg, basil, and the sautéed onions and garlic. Blend the mixture until it is smooth.
Step 3 – Cook the Tomato Mixture
Pour the tomato mixture into a large stockpot. Add the vegetable broth and stir well. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes.
Step 4 – Add the Final Touches
After 10 minutes, add more fresh basil, salt, and pepper to the soup, to your liking. Stir well and let the soup simmer for a few more minutes to incorporate the added ingredients.
Step 5 – Serve the Soup
Once your soup is ready, it’s time to serve. Ladle it into bowls and garnish with a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of cheese, if you like. Your delicious tomato basil soup is ready to be enjoyed!
Optional: Step 6 – Chop Bread to Make Homemade Croutons
On to the simple homemade croutons! Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Cut up pieces of French bread and put them into a bowl.
Optional: Step 7 – Bake Croutons in Oven
Drizzle olive oil on the bread, add kosher salt and cracked black pepper. Mix well and spread onto a baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, flipping halfway. They’re done when lightly browned and crunchy. Remove and cool.
Expert Tip
To give your tomato basil soup a rich and deep flavor, don’t rush the step of sautéeing the onion and garlic. Allowing them to brown and soften on medium-high heat will add a wonderful depth to your soup.
Recipe Variations
- Grilled Tomatoes: Instead of using fresh tomatoes in the soup, try grilling them for a smoky flavor. This adds a delicious depth to the soup.
- Roasted Garlic: For a more mellow garlic flavor, roast the garlic before adding it to the soup. This is a great option for those who find the flavor of raw garlic too strong.
- Spicy: Add a touch of red pepper flakes to the soup for a spicy kick. This is a great option for those who like a little heat in their dishes.
What to Serve With
- For a classic lunch, serve your tomato basil soup with a grilled cheese sandwich. The combination of the warm, comforting soup and the crispy, gooey sandwich is a real crowd-pleaser.
- If you’re hosting a dinner party, start the meal with a small bowl of this soup. It’s a great way to whet your guests’ appetites without filling them up before the main course.
- For a light and healthy lunch, pair this soup with a fresh salad. The bright, fresh flavors of the salad are a perfect match for the rich, savory soup.
Make Ahead Instructions
This homemade tomato basil soup freezes really well. Once the soup has cooled, you can transfer it to a freezer-safe container and freeze it for up to 3 months. Allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating and enjoying it again.
Recipe FAQs
You can use any type of fresh tomatoes for this soup, but I recommend using ripe, sweet tomatoes. Roma tomatoes or beefsteak tomatoes work well. If you have homegrown, even better. The key is to make sure they are ripe and full of flavor.
While fresh basil is the best for this recipe as it has a more vibrant flavor, you can use dried basil if that’s all you have. Just reduce the amount, as dried herbs are more potent than fresh.
Storing and Reheating
- Storing: After enjoying your delicious tomato basil soup, you can easily store any leftovers. Simply let the soup cool to room temperature. Then, transfer it to an airtight container. It can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: If you’d like to save your soup for longer, it can be frozen. Once it has cooled, transfer it to a freezer-safe container. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Thaw: When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen soup, let it thaw in the fridge for 24 hours.
- Reheating: You can reheat the soup in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it’s heated through. This should take about 10-15 minutes.
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Serving Size
- What to Expect: This tomato basil soup recipe yields about 8 servings of delicious soup.
- How to Scale: If you want to serve more than 8, you can easily double the recipe and follow the instructions as directed. Just make sure your blender is large enough to accommodate the increased quantity of soup. If not, you can blend it in batches to achieve the same smooth consistency.
Tomato Basil Soup
Ingredients
- 2 lbs fresh tomatoes approximately 4 large tomatoes
- 1 small sweet onion
- 4 garlic cloves
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil
- 6 oz tomato paste
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg recommend freshly grated
- 5-6 leaves fresh basil
- 2 cups vegetable broth
Instructions
- Sauté one small sweet onion and four small garlic cloves in the olive oil on medium-high heat until they brown and soften. Set them aside.
- Rinse off the tomatoes and using a small knife, carefully cut out the green top.
- Combine the tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, dried dill, nutmeg, fresh basil, onions, and garlic in your blender. Blend on high speed until you have a puree with no visible chunks.
- Pour your puree into a large stockpot and add 2 cups of quality vegetable broth. Bring the soup to a small simmer for about 10 minutes. Add more chopped basil, salt, and/or pepper to taste.
I will try this recipe it sounds heavenly and easy to make
This homemade tomato soup sounds so delicious! Perfect for a crisp fall day!!
This looks so warming and cozy for Fall!
Thanks! It’s a yummy recipe that’s perfect for a cool fall day!