Description
Comforting homemade Rich and Creamy Tomato Basil Soup brings Italian countryside warmth to kitchen tables. Fresh herbs and ripe tomatoes blend into a silky smooth experience you’ll savor with each delightful spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 4 cups fresh tomatoes (chopped)
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil (chopped)
Liquids and Dairy:
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons butter
Seasonings and Thickeners:
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons white sugar
Instructions
- Combine tomatoes, onion, garlic, and chicken broth in a stockpot. Simmer at medium heat for 20 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
- Pass the cooked mixture through a food mill into a large bowl, extracting smooth liquid and discarding solid remnants.
- Cleanse the stockpot and melt butter over medium heat. Incorporate flour to create a golden-brown roux, whisking carefully to prevent burning.
- Gradually introduce tomato mixture into the roux, stirring continuously to eliminate potential lumps and ensure smooth consistency.
- Season the soup with sugar and salt, adjusting flavors to personal preference.
- Return soup to stove, maintaining low heat. Carefully fold in fresh basil and rich heavy cream without allowing the mixture to boil.
- Gently warm the soup until heated through, ensuring cream integrates smoothly and basil releases its aromatic essence.
- Ladle into warm serving bowls and present immediately for optimal taste and temperature.
Notes
- Picking ripe, in-season tomatoes will dramatically boost the soup’s natural sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Using an immersion blender provides a smoother texture alternative to a traditional food mill, saving time and kitchen cleanup.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half or whole milk instead of heavy cream, reducing overall calorie content without sacrificing creaminess.
- Consider roasting tomatoes and onions beforehand to intensify their caramelized, complex flavor profile before blending into the soup base.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg