Creamy Tomato Basil Blend (Printable Version)
A velvety mix of rich tomatoes, fresh basil, and cream, ideal for cozy, flavorful meals.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2.5 lbs ripe tomatoes, cored and chopped or 2 x 14 oz cans whole peeled tomatoes
→ Liquids
05 - 2 cups vegetable stock
→ Dairy
06 - ½ cup heavy cream
→ Seasonings & Herbs
07 - 1 teaspoon sugar
08 - 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
09 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
10 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano (optional)
11 - ½ cup fresh basil leaves, plus extra for garnish
# How to Make It:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook diced onion, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
02 - Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Stir in chopped tomatoes with their juices or canned tomatoes, vegetable stock, sugar, salt, black pepper, and oregano if using. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
04 - Remove pot from heat and stir in fresh basil leaves.
05 - Use an immersion blender to purée the soup directly in the pot until smooth, or blend in batches in a countertop blender after cooling slightly.
06 - Return the soup to low heat. Stir in heavy cream and gently warm without boiling.
07 - Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Ladle into bowls, garnish with additional basil leaves, and serve hot.
# Expert Insights:
01 -
- This soup feels like a comforting hug in a bowl that you can whip up anytime
- Discovering how simple ingredients blend to create such a velvety texture made it an instant favorite
02 -
- Blending the soup while it's hot is easier, but be careful to avoid splashes by covering the blender lid with a towel
- Adding cream off the heat prevents it from curdling and keeps the soup perfectly smooth
03 -
- Roasting the tomatoes before simmering deepens the flavor and adds a slight sweetness
- Reserve a few fresh basil leaves for garnish to keep that fresh herbal aroma front and center