Creamy Tomato and Basil Soup
This creamy tomato and basil soup is the perfect comfort food for a cold day. It's rich, flavorful, and easy to make. The soup is made with fresh tomatoes, onion, garlic, and vegetable broth. It's then pureed until smooth and creamy and finished with heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and fresh basil. The soup is a great way to use up fresh tomatoes, and it's also a good source of vitamins and minerals.
The first time I had this soup was at a small Italian restaurant in the North End of Boston. I was immediately hooked on the rich, creamy flavor and the fresh basil that gave it a bright, herbaceous note. I asked the chef for the recipe, and he was kind enough to share it with me. I've been making it ever since, and it's become one of my favorite soups. I've made a few changes to the original recipe over the years, but the basic ingredients and method remain the same. I now use fresh tomatoes instead of canned tomatoes, and I've added a bit of heavy cream to make the soup even richer and creamier. I also like to add a generous amount of fresh basil at the end of cooking, which gives the soup a beautiful green color and a bright, fresh flavor.
Creamy Tomato and Basil Soup Creamy Tomato and Basil Soup Creamy Tomato and Basil Soup Creamy Tomato and Basil Soup
Prep time: 10 | Cook time: 15 | Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups fresh tomatoes, diced
  • 1 cup vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
Instructions
  1. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add the tomatoes and vegetable broth and bring to a simmer.
  4. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the tomatoes are tender.
  5. Puree the soup with an immersion blender or in a traditional blender.
  6. Return the soup to the saucepan and stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
  7. Heat through until just warmed through, about 2 minutes.
  8. Stir in the basil and serve immediately.
Why It Works
  • The combination of fresh tomatoes, onion, garlic, and vegetable broth creates a rich, flavorful base for the soup.
  • Pureeing the soup until smooth and creamy gives it a luxurious texture.
  • Adding heavy cream and Parmesan cheese makes the soup even richer and creamier.
  • Fresh basil adds a bright, herbaceous note to the soup.