Tomato and Basil Soup (Printable)

Comforting velvety soup featuring ripe tomatoes simmered with onions, garlic, and fresh basil, finished with olive oil.

# Ingredient List:

→ Vegetables

01 - 3.3 pounds ripe tomatoes, roughly chopped
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Liquids

04 - 3 cups vegetable broth
05 - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling

→ Herbs & Seasoning

06 - 1 small bunch fresh basil leaves, plus extra for garnish
07 - 1 teaspoon sugar, optional
08 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

09 - 1/4 cup heavy cream or plant-based cream, optional

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened, approximately 5 minutes.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add chopped tomatoes and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes begin to break down.
04 - Pour in vegetable broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Add sugar if desired. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
05 - Remove from heat. Add basil leaves. Use an immersion blender to purée the soup until silky smooth, or blend in batches using a countertop blender.
06 - Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. For enhanced richness, stir in heavy cream if using.
07 - Ladle soup into bowls, drizzle with olive oil, and garnish with fresh basil leaves.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It tastes like summer in a bowl, even when you're making it with canned tomatoes in February.
  • Ready in under an hour, which means you can feed people something that tastes like you've been cooking all day.
  • Naturally vegan, naturally gluten-free—no apologies or substitutions needed unless you want them.
02 -
  • Don't skip the basil at the end—adding it after heat is the difference between soup that tastes fresh and soup that tastes cooked.
  • Your blender is your friend, but be patient and careful with hot liquid; working in batches is safer and your countertop will thank you.
03 -
  • Taste as you season and remember that salt brings all the flavors forward; a little goes a long way.
  • If your soup breaks or separates when you add cream, don't panic—just whisk gently off heat until it comes back together.
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