Creamy Tomato Basil Soup (Printable)
Smooth tomato and basil blend with creamy richness, topped with crispy croutons for added texture and flavor.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 2.2 lbs ripe tomatoes, chopped
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 medium carrot, peeled and diced
05 - 1 celery stalk, diced
→ Liquids
06 - 3 cups vegetable broth
07 - ½ cup heavy cream
08 - 2 tbsp olive oil
→ Herbs & Seasoning
09 - ½ cup packed fresh basil leaves, plus more for garnish
10 - 1 tsp sugar
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Croutons
12 - 2 cups day-old bread, cut into ½ inch cubes
13 - 2 tbsp olive oil
14 - 1 garlic clove, halved
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F for the croutons.
02 - In a large pot, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté for 5–6 minutes until softened.
03 - Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Stir in the chopped tomatoes and sugar. Cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes begin to break down.
05 - Pour in the vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes.
06 - Toss bread cubes with 2 tbsp olive oil and rub with the cut side of the garlic. Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 10–12 minutes, tossing once, until golden and crisp. Set aside.
07 - Remove the soup from heat. Add basil leaves. Blend the soup using an immersion blender (or in batches in a blender) until completely smooth.
08 - Stir in the heavy cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Gently reheat if needed.
09 - Ladle soup into bowls. Top each serving with a handful of croutons and a few extra basil leaves.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The roasted croutons alone are worth making this, they transform into garlicky little flavor bombs
- Simmering tomatoes with carrot and celery adds natural sweetness you cant get from tomatoes alone
- Everything comes together in under an hour with minimal active cooking time
02 -
- Hot soup expands like crazy in a blender, so either use an immersion blender or let it cool slightly first
- Adding basil before blending distributes the flavor evenly throughout the soup
03 -
- Use really ripe tomatoes that give slightly when you squeeze them
- Rubbing raw garlic on the oiled bread before baking gives croutons way more flavor than garlic powder ever could