Oh, this homemade tomato basil soup is just pure comfort in a bowl, isn’t it? It’s one of those recipes I find myself coming back to again and again, especially when I need a little pick-me-up. What I absolutely adore about this particular version is how incredibly simple it is, yet it tastes like it simmered for hours! I remember making this on a chilly evening, and the smell that filled my kitchen was just divine. It’s proof that you don’t need a million fancy ingredients to create something truly special.
Why You’ll Love This Homemade Tomato Basil Soup
Seriously, this soup is a winner for so many reasons! It’s incredibly:
- Simple: You probably have most of the ingredients already!
- Flavorful: That burst of fresh basil is just everything.
- Comforting: It’s like a warm hug in a bowl.
- Fresh: Way better than anything from a can, trust me!
It’s the perfect easy lunch or light dinner.
Gather Your Ingredients for Homemade Tomato Basil Soup
Alright, let’s get our kitchen prepped! For this amazing homemade tomato basil soup, you’ll need just a few simple things. First up, grab a tablespoon of good olive oil – it’s the perfect start for sautéing. Then, we need one medium onion, and make sure it’s chopped up nicely. Don’t forget two cloves of garlic, all minced up; this is where a lot of the flavor magic begins! For the tomato-y goodness, we’re using two big 28-ounce cans of crushed tomatoes. Honestly, the quality of these canned tomatoes really makes a difference in your final homemade tomato basil soup, so try to find a good brand you like. You’ll also need about 4 cups of vegetable broth. A little pinch of sugar (just a teaspoon!) helps balance the acidity, along with half a teaspoon of salt and a quarter teaspoon of black pepper to taste. And the star of the show? A quarter cup of fresh basil leaves, all chopped up – this is crucial for that signature flavor in our homemade tomato basil soup!
Essential Ingredients for Homemade Tomato Basil Soup
So, what makes this homemade tomato basil soup sing? It’s all about these key players! The olive oil gets things started, giving a lovely base for our aromatics. That chopped onion and minced garlic? They build this incredible savory foundation that just can’t be beat. Crushed tomatoes are the heart of the soup, bringing that rich, deep tomato flavor that defines homemade tomato basil soup. The vegetable broth adds depth and liquid, while the sugar, salt, and pepper are there to make sure all those flavors pop perfectly. And of course, the fresh basil! It adds this bright, herbaceous finish that’s just heavenly in homemade tomato basil soup.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
When it comes to those crushed tomatoes, I really prefer using good quality ones, maybe San Marzano if you can find them, but any good crushed tomatoes will work for this homemade tomato basil soup. If you don’t have vegetable broth, chicken broth works too, but it won’t be vegetarian anymore! For a super creamy, decadent homemade tomato basil soup, you can always stir in about half a cup of heavy cream or even some full-fat coconut milk right at the end. If you’re aiming for a vegan homemade tomato basil soup, just skip the cream and stick with the vegetable broth. And if fresh basil is hiding from you, a teaspoon of dried basil can work in a pinch, but add it with the broth so it has time to rehydrate and release its flavor in your homemade tomato basil soup.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Homemade Tomato Basil Soup
Making this homemade tomato basil soup is a breeze, I promise! It all starts with building a really great flavor base. So, grab a nice big pot or Dutch oven and let’s get started. We want to get that olive oil nice and warm over medium heat. Once it’s shimmering, toss in your chopped onion. We’re going to let those onions soften up, which usually takes about 5 minutes. You want them to be nice and translucent, not really browned, just tender. This is the foundation, so don’t rush it!
Preparing the Base for Homemade Tomato Basil Soup
Now that your onions are looking lovely and soft, it’s time for the garlic! Add your minced garlic to the pot and just cook it for about one minute more. Garlic can burn super fast, so keep an eye on it! You just want to cook it until it’s fragrant. That smell? That’s the beginning of something delicious for your homemade tomato basil soup. Make sure the heat isn’t too high here; we’re just coaxing out that amazing garlic flavor, not charring it.
Simmering and Flavor Development for Homemade Tomato Basil Soup
Okay, aromatics are prepped! Now, let’s pour in those two cans of crushed tomatoes – go ahead and give them a good stir. Then, add in your vegetable broth, that teaspoon of sugar, salt, and pepper. Give everything a good stir to combine it all. Now, bring this mixture up to a boil, and once it’s bubbling, you’ll want to turn the heat down to low. We’re going to let this simmer away for at least 20 minutes. This simmering time is SO important for letting all those flavors meld together and for the soup to thicken up just right. This is where the magic really happens for your homemade tomato basil soup!
Finishing Touches for Your Homemade Tomato Basil Soup
Once your soup has had a good simmer and all those flavors have come together beautifully, it’s time for the grand finale: the fresh basil! Stir in that quarter cup of chopped fresh basil leaves right at the very end. You don’t want to cook the basil for too long, or it can lose that bright, fresh flavor that makes this homemade tomato basil soup so special. Just stir it in until it’s wilted a bit. Taste it one last time and adjust the salt and pepper if you think it needs it. And that’s it! Your amazing homemade tomato basil soup is ready to go.
Tips for the Best Homemade Tomato Basil Soup
To make your homemade tomato basil soup truly spectacular, a few little tricks go a long way! If you want it thicker, just let it simmer a bit longer uncovered, or you can even blend a small portion of the soup and stir it back in. For balancing flavors, always taste and adjust your salt and pepper at the end – sometimes a tiny bit more sugar can help if the tomatoes are particularly tart. Don’t overcrowd the pot when sautéing the onions; give them space to soften properly, otherwise, they’ll steam instead of caramelize. And for presentation? A swirl of heavy cream and a few extra fresh basil leaves on top make this simple homemade tomato basil soup look restaurant-fancy!
Serving and Storing Your Homemade Tomato Basil Soup
This homemade tomato basil soup is just bursting with flavor, and it’s so versatile! I love serving it with a grilled cheese sandwich – it’s a classic for a reason! You can also top it with some crunchy croutons, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, or even a dollop of pesto for an extra kick. If you have leftovers, which I always try to make sure I do, just let the soup cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It’ll keep nicely in the fridge for about 3-4 days. To reheat, just gently warm it on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, or pop it in the microwave. Be careful not to boil it once it’s reheated, as it can change the texture of your delicious homemade tomato basil soup.
Frequently Asked Questions About Homemade Tomato Basil Soup
Q: Can I use fresh tomatoes for this homemade tomato basil soup?
You totally can! If you use fresh tomatoes, you’ll want about 2.5 to 3 pounds of ripe tomatoes. Core them, give them a quick blanch and peel, then chop them up. You might need to simmer the soup a little longer to break them down, but it’s totally worth it for that super fresh taste in your homemade tomato basil soup!
Q: How do I make my homemade tomato basil soup thicker?
If you like your homemade tomato basil soup a bit thicker, there are a couple of easy ways! You can let it simmer longer with the lid off to let some of the liquid evaporate. Or, for a really smooth, thick texture, you can carefully blend about half of the soup using an immersion blender or a regular blender (just be super careful with hot liquids!), then stir it back into the pot. It makes a world of difference!
Q: Is homemade tomato basil soup healthy?
Absolutely! This homemade tomato basil soup is packed with vitamins from the tomatoes and fresh basil. It’s naturally vegetarian and can easily be vegan if you skip the optional cream. Compared to canned versions, you control the sodium and sugar, making it a much healthier choice. It’s a fantastic way to get your veggies in!
Estimated Nutritional Information for Homemade Tomato Basil Soup
Just a little heads-up, these numbers are estimates for our delicious homemade tomato basil soup! Your exact nutritional info might wiggle around a bit depending on the brands of tomatoes and broth you use, or if you add any of those yummy extras like cream. But generally, a serving is around 150 calories, so it’s a pretty light and healthy choice!
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Amazing Homemade Tomato Basil Soup: 1 Easy Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple and delicious homemade tomato basil soup.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for at least 20 minutes.
- Stir in fresh basil before serving.
Notes
- For a creamier soup, stir in 1/2 cup of heavy cream or coconut milk before serving.
- Garnish with extra fresh basil or croutons.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: tomato soup, basil soup, homemade soup, easy soup, vegetarian soup