If there was ever the ultimate comfort soup, this bowl of deliciousness would be a serious contender.
We go with a combination of fresh tomatoes and canned crushed tomatoes for the perfect taste and texture. The fresh basil and stock are just the right amount of balance to the soup. The cream adds depth and luxuriousness. And, once you’ve roasted the tomatoes, the soup comes together in about 30 minutes!
HOW TO MAKE ROASTED TOMATO SOUP
Roasting the tomatoes for this easy tomato basil soup delivers a deeply satisfying taste for the soup.
You can really go with any type of tomato here, but we find Roma tomatoes work best. And, they are typically available all year.
ROASTING THE TOMATOES IS EASY
Simply preheat your oven to 375°F, line a large baking sheet with foil, and slice the tomatoes in half.
If using whole tomatoes, then cut them into thick (½-inch) slices. Drizzle with olive oil and then sprinkle them with salt and pepper. After baking for 1 hour, they will be tender and perfectly cooked.
EXPERT TIP: The tomatoes can be roasted in advance, up to 24 hours. Once the pan is cool enough to handle, cover the tomatoes with either kitchen towels (not pressing down on them), or with plastic wrap. When ready to use, carefully transfer the roasted tomatoes with a spatula (or your hands) from the baking sheet to the pot.
After sautéing chopped onions in olive oil, throw in 4 minced cloves of garlic along with some chopped fresh thyme.
Next goes in a large can (28 oz) of crushed tomatoes and the fresh basil.
Season with salt and pepper and let simmer for just 10 minutes.
FRESH TOMATO BASIL SOUP IN ABOUT 30 MINUTES
Once the canned tomatoes have simmered with the basil, it’s time to add in the roasted tomatoes.
Add the stock and let simmer on low for 20 to 30 minutes.
We’re getting close, folks!
To reach the right consistency, we use our immersion blender.
EXPERT TIP: You could also purée the soup in a blender or even a food processor. Using either of these appliances will give you a very smooth texture. The immersion blender allows you to make the soup as smooth, or textured, as you desire. Whichever method you opt for, use caution. The soup is hot and can splatter and cause a burn if it reaches your skin.
A final addition of heavy cream adds a depth of silkiness and taste that makes this the best-ever creamy tomato basil soup recipe on the planet.
The soup is now ready to eat, or you can keep it at a low simmer until ready to serve.
EXPERT TIP: You can substitute whole milk or half-and-half in place of the heavy cream. The finished soup will not be as silky, and the cream does add a layer of taste that we think is wonderful, but the other options are fantastic, too. For a completely dairy-free version, don’t add the cream or milk at all.
THE PERFECT SOUP FOR ENTERTAINING
This soup is so satisfying and always gets rave reviews when we serve it to guests.
Silky, cream, and layers upon layers of taste.
And it’s so easy to prepare!
ROASTED TOMATO BASIL SOUP FAQs
- Can I use only canned tomatoes? Yes, but you won’t get the deep roasted taste from roasting fresh tomatoes. If using only canned, skip the roasting steps of the recipe and go with two 28 oz. cans of tomatoes, we recommend one can of crushed tomatoes, and one can of whole tomatoes, preferably San Marzano (make sure the can is labeled “certified”).
- What about dried herbs, can I use them? For the thyme, absolutely, go with 1½ teaspoons of dried. For the basil, you won’t get those beautiful specs of basil, and the flavor won’t be as robust, but in a pinch, you could go with ¼ cup of dried basil.
- How do you make those delicious looking croutons? Cut a loaf of bread into thin slices. Cube the slices (2 or 3) and place them in a bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1 minced garlic clove, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Preheat oven to 400°F and bake until golden, flipping once – about 8 minutes.
- How long will the soup keep? As with so many soups and stews, this gets even better the next day. It will keep in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week and freezes beautifully for up to 2 months.
THE PERFECT DUNKING SOUP
You and your loved ones will flip when you serve this amazing soup. Other favorite soup recipes are our:
Rustic Lentil Soup
Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
Classic French Onion Soup
Homemade Chicken and Dumplings
But in the meantime, make this amazing Roasted Tomato Basil Soup! The PERFECT soup for grilled cheese sandwich dunking!
Ready to make the best tomato basil soup in the world? Go for it!
And when you do, be sure to take a picture, post it on Instagram, and tag @howtofeedaloon and hashtag #howtofeedaloon!
Roasted Tomato Basil Soup
Video
Equipment
- Large Dutch oven, or soup pot
Ingredients
- 9 Roma tomatoes sliced lengthwise
- 3 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme minced
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 28 oz. can San Marzano tomatoes crushed
- 1 cup basil fresh, roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 cups chicken stock
- ⅔ cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Spread tomato halves on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, and then sprinkle with salt and black pepper.
- Roast tomatoes for 1 hour. Remove from oven and set aside.
- Heat 2 tablespoon oil, or butter, in a large pot (or Dutch oven) over medium-high heat.
- Add onion, and saute for about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper. Sauté for another minute.
- Add crushed tomatoes, basil, and sugar to the pot. Lower the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Add the stock and the roasted tomatoes into the pot. Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring every now and then.
- Use an immersion blender to purée the soup, or very carefully transfer to a blender or food processor to purée. This would most likely need to be done in a couple batches. Return the soup to the pot.
- Stir in the cream.
- To make the mini croutons: Cut a few small pieces of bread in small cubes, add a little oil, diced garlic and basil...bake at 400 for about 7 minutes... these make wonderful croutons!
- Add the croutons to the top of the served soup. Serve at once!
Notes
Nutrition
POST UPDATE: This recipe was originally published in March 2014, but was updated with improved tweaks to the recipe, new tips, photography, and a brand-new fabulous video in March 2020!
CarolAnne says
Looks delicious and received so many enthusiastic reviews – I can’t wait to try it. I do have a question. . .
Do the tomato seeds stay in the soup? I didn’t see that the seeds were strained out or otherwise removed.
Kris Longwell says
Hi CarolAnne, we don’t strain the soup and never have an issue with seeds. However, if you prefer, you can absolutely strain them. Let us know if you make the soup and what you think! All the best, Kris & Wesley
Deanna says
This soup is amazing. I have made it multiple times. I have been roasting then freezing and canning crushed tomatoes from my garden. Also freezing basil from the garden to make this then it is cold during winter. Works great and shortens the cook time.
Deanna says
And also making this dairy free by using coconut cream.
Kris Longwell says
Sounds perfect, Deanna! Brilliant idea with the freezing! Being able to enjoy farm-fresh soup all year round is a game changer! Thanks for sharing and for the fantastic review. That means so much to us! Please stay in touch! All the best, Kris & Wesley
Jenna says
I made this for dinner this evening and we cannot get enough! It is SO good! I didn’t want to dirty my food processor so I just kept it chunky and it’s really good! I paired it with grilled cheese with sharp cheddar and gruyere cheese on my homemade sourdough bread! Definitely will keep this recipe for whenever we want the classic tomato soup & grilled cheese!
Melissa says
Love, Love, Love this recipe! Have made it multiple times and by far the best roasted tomato basil soup I have ever had. Also, it freezes amazingly!!
Kris Longwell says
Hi Melissa! You just made our day! Woo hoo! We are thrilled you are loving our roasted tomato basil soup recipe! We love it so much, too! Thank you so so much for sharing and for the GREAT review. That means the world to us! Stay in touch! Kris & Wesley
Barbara Eddy says
My son, who is an excellent chef if I do say so myself got me started with your website.
I just love watching you guys and your delicious creations!
I laugh out loud all by myself!
I forwarded your basil tomato soup to my son because I thought it sounded soooooo good.
He agreed and said when he makes his tomato basil soup, he tops it with pesto croutons. I’ve never seen them in a store so I’ll request them from him and he is a very good boy, so he will oblige!
I’m guessing that you guys with all your cooking wisdom could probably make them.
I thought it sounded like a good idea, so thought I’d run it by you.
Thanks for all the enjoyment you bring into my life!
Sincerely, Barb E.
Kris Longwell says
Hi Barbara! You (and your awesome son) just made our week! Homemade pesto croutons sound wonderful! We’ll work on creating those, too! Thank you so so much for sharing and for giving us such a wonderful review! We can’t even begin to express in words how much that means to us! Please give our best to your son!! All the very best, Kris & Wesley
Glenn says
OMG! Made this for dinner tonight and it is AMAZING! Will definitely me making again, only next time with the homemade croutons.
Kris Longwell says
Hi Glenn! Woo hoo! We are so so happy you made the roasted tomato soup and had such great success with it! The homemade croutons will take it to the next level! YUM! Thank you so so much for sharing and for the GREAT review. That means the world to us! Please stay in touch! All the best, Kris & Wesley
Deborah March says
I am a seasoned soup maker ;), and have tried several recipes for Tomato Basil Soup…all “nice,” but not special…until YOURS! This recipe makes an EXQUISITE soup, and will forever be my go-to. I served it with freshly baked herb and garlic focaccia bread and a nice Malbec. Your soup will be a regular pleasure in our house. Thanks guys!
Kris Longwell says
Hi Deborah! You have no idea how much this means to us! We LOVE that you loved our tomato basil soup recipe! Woo hoo! Thank you so so much for sharing and for the GREAT review! That honestly means the world to us! Please stay in touch! All the best, Kris & Wesley
Tonya says
Hi guys! I love tomato basil soup and this was my first attempt at making it. I’m so glad I came upon your recipe as it was delicious (and so easy to make)!!! Thank you so much for putting it out there…and the video made me laugh too. Cheers!
Kris Longwell says
Hi Tonya! Woo hoo! We are so thrilled you loved the tomato soup and it sounds like you made it perfectly! Yay! Thank you so much for sharing and for the GREAT review. That means the world to us! Please stay in touch! All the best, Kris & Wesley
Khristine says
Fantastic! This is my favorite soup.
Kris Longwell says
Woo hoo! So so happy you are enjoying and thank you so much for letting us know and for the GREAT review! We appreciate that so much! Happy New Year! Kris & Wesley
Kay says
This soup is more than amazing! I’m a novice in the kitchen9 and this made me look like a pro! Thanks guys and please keep making more videos!
Kris Longwell says
Hi Kay! So sorry for the delayed response! Woo hoo! We are so thrilled you had such great success with the roast tomato basil soup! You are a rock star! Stay in touch and stay tuned…so much more fun and food on the way! xoxo Kris & Wesley
Lisa says
Beyond delicious, seriously. Roasting the tomatoes is a game changer. I enjoy the video, helpful and fun! I look forward to trying more of your recipes.
Kris Longwell says
Hi Lisa! We are so so happy you enjoyed the tomato basil soup and had such great success! Thank you so so much for sharing and for the GREAT review! Please stay in touch! xoxo Kris & Wesley
Judy says
Looking forward to making this soup. Sounds delicious. I am wondering, though, if you should peal the tomatoes after roasting?
Kris Longwell says
Hi Judy! So sorry for the delayed response. No need to peel the tomatoes, unless you want to! We don’t and never have had an issue with the skin. Let us know if you make the soup and how it turns out! Best, Kris & Wesley
Kasey says
Great. Simple! Going to be a go to for me.
Kris Longwell says
Awesome!! Thank you so much for sharing and for the wonderful review! That means so much to us! Stay in touch, Kasey! Best, Kris & Wesley
Lee Cleveland says
Just made my second batch tonight and it was absolutely delicious, just as it was the first time! The only ingredient I alter is to include a small can of tomato paste to kick “it” (the tomato flavor) up a notch. I’m looking forward to a long winter of roasted tomato soup!
Kris Longwell says
Hey there, Lee! That sounds fantastic! This soup really is perfect when those temperatures are dropping outside! Thanks so much for sharing! Stay in touch! Kris & Wesley
Rebekah says
This is Fantastic!! I have made your Tomato Basil soup numerous times, everyone LOVES it!! Prepping for family in town for the Thanksgiving week, and limited freezer space, I roasted the tomato, onion and garlic, added basil, thyme and then pureed them. Now to the freezer, and I will add the stock, can tomato, and cream when ready to serve. Wish me luck!!
Kris Longwell says
Hi Rebekah! Woo hoo!! We are THRILLED you are enjoying our roasted tomato basil soup recipe! Your preparation plans for Thanksgiving are SPOT ON!!! Thanks so much for sharing and please let us know how everything goes for Thanksgiving! We hope it’s extra special! xo Kris & Wesley
Kerry M. says
I made this last night and it was simply delicious! The recipe couldn’t have been any easier to follow! It was so good that I had more for breakfast just now! Thank you so much!
Kris Longwell says
Hi Kerry! This makes us so so happy! We are thrilled you had such great success with the roasted tomato soup and thank you so much for letting us know and for the GREAT review! That means everything to us! Please stay in touch! All the best, Kris & Wesley
Jessica says
Do you know how many servings this makes? How many people it will feed?
Kris Longwell says
Hi Jessica! Really depends on how large a serving you plan on serving. But, you should easily be able to serve 4 people a bowl of soup, or 8 people a cup. Hope this helps! Let us know if you make the soup and how it turns out!! All the best, Kris & Wesley
Deb says
I’ve tried a number of recipes throughout my years and this is by far the best! SO delicious
Kris Longwell says
Deb, you just made our day! We are THRILLED you had such great success with the roasted tomato basil soup recipe! Thank you for sharing and for the GREAT review! That honestly means so much to us! Please stay in touch! Best, Kris & Wesley