Imagine the aroma of fresh basil mingling with the rich, savory scent of tomatoes simmering away.
This creamy tomato soup is a comforting embrace, simple to prepare yet indulgent in every spoonful.
As the onions and garlic soften, they transform the humble ingredients into a velvety delight, enhanced by a touch of cream.
Perfect for a cozy meal, let’s bring this delightful dish to life and savor its warmth together.
Kitchen Tools Required
- 1 large pot
- 1 blender or immersion blender
- 1 knife
- 1 cutting board
- 1 wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 ounces) whole tomatoes, undrained
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
Cook & Prep Time
To efficiently manage your time while preparing and cooking the Creamy Tomato Soup, follow this timeline which includes additional time for reading the recipe and preparing the ingredients:
- Reading & Understanding the Recipe:
- Allocate 5 minutes to carefully read through the entire recipe.
- Preparation (Total 15 minutes):
- Minute 1-5: Gather all necessary equipment (large pot, blender or immersion blender, knife, cutting board, wooden spoon) and ingredients (olive oil, onion, garlic, canned tomatoes, vegetable broth, sugar, salt, black pepper, heavy cream, fresh basil).
- Minute 6-10: Dice the onion, mince the garlic, and chop the fresh basil.
- Minute 11-15: Heat the olive oil in the large pot over medium heat and begin sautéing the onion until translucent.
- Cooking (Total 30 minutes):
- Minute 16-20: Add the garlic to the pot and cook for 1 minute. Then add the canned tomatoes and vegetable broth, stirring to combine.
- Minute 21-25: Add the sugar, salt, and black pepper, and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Minute 26-45: Allow the soup to simmer, stirring occasionally. Use this time to clean any used utensils or tidy up the preparation area.
- Blending and Final Touches (Total 10 minutes):
- Minute 46-50: Remove the pot from heat, let it cool slightly, and blend the soup until smooth.
- Minute 51-55: Return the blended soup to the pot, stir in the heavy cream, and gently reheat over low heat. Add the chopped basil just before serving.
- Resting Time (5 minutes):
- Minute 56-60: Let the soup rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Recipe Instructions
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
Add diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the can of whole tomatoes, including their juice, to the pot.
Pour in the vegetable broth and stir to combine.
Add sugar, salt, and black pepper to the mixture and bring to a simmer.
Allow the soup to simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Remove the pot from heat and let it cool slightly before blending.
Carefully blend the soup until smooth using a blender or immersion blender.
Return the blended soup to the pot and stir in the heavy cream.
Reheat the soup gently over low heat, not allowing it to boil.
Stir in the chopped fresh basil just before serving.
Allow the soup to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Serving Tips
- Crusty Bread: Perfect for dipping, a warm slice of crusty bread complements the creamy texture of the soup.
- Grilled Cheese Sandwich: A classic pairing, the gooey cheese and crispy bread enhance the soup’s flavor.
- Side Salad: A fresh mixed greens salad adds a healthy, invigorating contrast.
- Croutons: Add crunch by topping the soup with seasoned croutons.
- Parmesan Cheese: Sprinkle grated Parmesan on top for an extra savory touch.
Storage
Store creamy tomato soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
For longer storage, freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to three months.
Freezing
To freeze creamy tomato soup, allow it to cool completely.
Then, transfer it to airtight containers or freezer-safe bags.
Label with the date.
Store in the freezer for up to three months.
Reheating
To reheat creamy tomato soup, gently warm it over low heat, stirring occasionally.
Avoid boiling to prevent curdling of the cream.
Reheat only the amount needed to maintain freshness.
Final Thoughts
Creamy Tomato Soup is a comforting and classic dish that’s perfect for any occasion.
It offers a delightful balance of rich flavors with its creamy texture and aromatic basil.
By taking the time to simmer the ingredients, you allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
Roasting the tomatoes is an optional step that can intensify the soup’s sweetness.
Adjusting the vegetable broth can help you achieve your desired thickness.
Fresh basil adds a burst of freshness, but dried basil serves as an effective substitute if needed.
With its simple preparation and delicious outcome, this soup is a must-try for both novice and experienced cooks alike.
Enjoy your bowl of warmth and flavor!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use Fresh Tomatoes Instead of Canned Ones?
Certainly, substitute fresh tomatoes for canned by blanching, peeling, and chopping them. Use about 2 pounds of tomatoes. Increase simmering time to enhance flavor. Adjust seasoning as needed, ensuring a balanced blend of sweetness and acidity.
What Alternatives Can I Use for Heavy Cream?
You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter option. For a non-dairy alternative, use coconut milk or cashew cream. These substitutes maintain the soup’s creamy texture without compromising on flavor or consistency.
Is This Recipe Suitable for Vegans?
This recipe isn’t vegan as it includes heavy cream. Substitute heavy cream with coconut cream or cashew cream to make it vegan-friendly. Verify all other ingredients, like broth, are plant-based for a complete vegan preparation.
How Can I Make the Soup Spicier?
To spice up the soup, incorporate one chopped jalapeño or a teaspoon of red pepper flakes when sautéing the onion and garlic. Adjust to taste, ensuring the heat complements the soup’s creamy, tomato base.
What Side Dishes Pair Well With Creamy Tomato Soup?
Consider pairing with a classic grilled cheese for a delightful contrast. Opt for a Caesar salad to add crispness, or choose garlic breadsticks for a savory touch. Serve a chilled white wine for a sophisticated pairing.
Creamy Tomato Soup
Equipment
- 1 Large pot
- 1 Blender or immersion blender
- 1 Knife
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 Wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion diced
- 2 clove garlic minced
- 1 can whole tomatoes 28 ounces, undrained
- 2 cup vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup fresh basil chopped
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the can of whole tomatoes, including their juice, to the pot.
- Pour in the vegetable broth and stir to combine.
- Add sugar, salt, and black pepper to the mixture and bring to a simmer.
- Allow the soup to simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the pot from heat and let it cool slightly before blending.
- Carefully blend the soup until smooth using a blender or immersion blender.
- Return the blended soup to the pot and stir in the heavy cream.
- Reheat the soup gently over low heat, not allowing it to boil.
- Stir in the chopped fresh basil just before serving.
- Allow the soup to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
