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This Tomato Basil Soup inspired by Cafe Zupas is one of my very favorite soups. It is simple to make and it is so rich and creamy!
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Tomato Basil Soup is my favorite tomato soup, hands down! This soup is inspired by the Cafe Zupas tomato basil soup. My niece used to work at Cafe Zupas and she says its pretty dang close! It is so rich and creamy and just plain delicious. It is also the perfect soup to have with grilled cheese sandwiches. I love dipping a grilled cheese sandwich in tomato soup. It is comfort food at its best! Make this tomato basil soup recipe with either fresh or canned tomatoes. It is the perfect soup for year round dinner. The flavors all blend together so smoothly and create the best creamy soup! Either way, it will be a family favorite!
Ingredients for Easy Tomato Basil Soup
Don’t let these ingredients overwhelm you; while there are several ingredients, they all blend perfectly together making a cozy, warming soup. Use fresh or canned tomatoes and add in all the delicious ingredients to make the perfect combination! Top with sour cream and garnish with green onions to make this a Zupas favorite!
- Butter – Melting the butter in a large pot on the stovetop while sautéing the vegetables. This gives the veggies more flavor too!
- Vegetables – You will want to chop up the vegetables evenly to help with the cooking process.
- Garlic – This will enhance the soup with flavor and aroma.
- Flour – The flour will make a roux to help thicken the soup.
- Chicken broth – If you are wanting a lighter broth or something vegetarian, then you can use vegetable broth instead.
- Stewed tomatoes – If you have any garden tomatoes left, then this is a great way to use them up. You can just substitute fresh diced tomatoes instead of the store-bought canned tomatoes.
- Pesto – You can make a homemade pesto or store bought also works great!
- Oregano – This seasoning has a bit of sweetness and a hint of bitterness with a hint of pepper similar to thyme.
- Brown sugar – Add in a little sweetness to the soup!
- Heavy cream – Fill each bowl with an extra creamy texture with this heavy cream. Drizzle some extra heavy cream on top of each bowl as a garnish.
- Parmesan cheese – Freshly grated parmesan is a great garnish over top the creamy soup.
- Fresh basil – Use as an optional garnish for this soup.
- Cooked orzo pasta – If you’ve ever had the Tomato Basil Soup at Cafe Zupas you know they serve it with a scoop of orzo as a garnish. It is so yummy and provides a bit of texture.
Fresh or Canned Tomatoes
Fresh tomatoes are always a plus for this soup recipe! If you have any garden tomatoes left, then this is a great way to use them. This soup is perfect year round. Once summer is over and it is easier to use canned tomatoes, this soup is just what you need!
- Fresh tomatoes – You will want to stew the tomatoes first like in this canning tomato recipe. This recipe is better with garden or fresh tomatoes because it adds in more flavor! First, you will want to roast your tomatoes by placing them on a large baking sheet and bake in the oven. Once roasted, place in a large pot to cook at medium-high heat, then blend together to use in the soup.
- Canned tomatoes – Any can of roasted or stewed tomatoes works well. We love the San Marzano tomatoes. They have a lot of flavor.
Variations for the Best Tomato Basil Soup
Make this creamy tomato basil soup recipe just the way you like it! Even the soup base on its own is packed with flavor. And, with a few changes, this soup can be adapted into something lighter or even spicier, rather than thick and rich with added calories. Pick and choose what is best for you and your family!
- Choose more seasonings create or add to the flavor combination. We love using fresh basil leaves, garlic powder, or onion powder to help add flavor, and they also blend well with this red tomato soup recipe.
- In place of butter, you can cook your vegetables in olive oil or canola oil.
- If you have an immersion blender, then you can use that instead of a blender.
- For other flavors of broth, you can try beef, chicken, or vegetable.
- Although using milk, coconut milk, or almond milk will reduce the creamy texture, it will also keep this tomato basil soup on the healthier side.
- Add in a little heat with red pepper flakes, paprika, or chili powder. Then, get ready to enjoy a spicer flavor!
“LOVE this soup! Such a great copycat recipe.”
-Nellie
Frequently Asked Questions
Easy tomato basil soup recipe is an excellent source of antioxidants, vitamin C and E, plus, it is known to lower risk of cancer and other diseases. Heart disease and obesity are also some diseases that are lowered by consuming fresh tomatoes.
Tomato bisque is made by adding in cream or whole milk, whereas tomato basil soup is made with chicken or vegetable stock. Bisque is known to have a thicker and creamier consistency because of the extra cream. This soup is a combination of both!
So many side dishes go along with this popular tomato soup such as this salad, zucchini chips, or homemade rolls.
If you use flour or cornstarch for the thickener, you will have a great base with this soup. Add in more or less depending on how thick you would like it. Set the stove to medium-high and stir constantly to create a thick soup.
Plum tomatoes or Roma tomatoes are always a favorite. They have the most flavor and taste when roasted. Garden fresh or organic tomatoes always have the most flavor.
Read Next:35+ Quick and Easy To Follow Dinner Ideas Your Family Will Surely Love
Storing Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
This creamy tomato soup is perfect to make ahead or even store leftovers. Simply place in an airtight container in the refrigerator for five days. Then, take your leftover soup and reheat it in the microwave or cook on medium-low heat until it is warmed through. Enjoy your tomato basil soup another day!
More Tasty Soup Recipes
Soup is a staple in the cold-weather months. Here are some more of our favorite soup recipes:
How to Make Tomato Basil Soup
Tomato Basil Soup
Ingredients
- 4 Tablespoons butter
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1 carrot chopped
- 1 stalk celery chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 Tablespoon flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 43 ounces stewed tomatoes (or about 5-6 cups tomatoes, stewed or diced.) 3 cans – 14.5 oz each
- 2/3 cup pesto
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 cup heavy cream
- salt and pepper to taste
- Parmesan cheese fresh grated
- fresh basil for garnish
- cooked orzo pasta for garnish
Instructions
- In a large soup pot, melt butter over medium-heat. Add onion, carrot, celery, and garlic and sauté until veggies become soft and clear. Stir in the flour and cook for about 2 minutes.
- Pour in chicken broth, whisking constantly. Add tomatoes and bring to a boil, stirring often. Stir in pesto, oregano, and sugar and reduce heat.
- Simmer for 30 minutes.
- Remove from heat and cool.Blend until smooth using an immersion blender, or working in batches, blend the soup in a blender until smooth. Return to pot and heat over medium heat. Whisk in heavy cream and add salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish with Parmesan cheese, orzo, and fresh basil, and serve.
Notes
Crockpot Cooking Instructions
If using a Crock Pot, follow steps 1-2, then add the veggie mixture into the crockpot with the pesto, oregano, and sugar. Cook on low at least 4 hours. Blend using an immersion blender or blend in batches. Then stir in the heavy cream and salt and pepper to taste.Storing Tomato Basil Soup
Place in an airtight container in the refrigerator for five days. When ready to reheat, place in the microwave or cook on medium-low heat until it is warmed through.Variations
-
- Choose more seasonings create or add to the flavor combination. We love using fresh basil leaves, garlic powder, or onion powder to help add flavor, and they also blend well with this red tomato soup recipe.
-
- In place of butter, you can cook your vegetables in olive oil or canola oil.
-
- If you have an immersion blender, you can use that instead of a blender.
-
- For other flavors of broth, you can try beef, chicken, or vegetable.
-
- Although using milk, coconut milk, or almond milk will reduce the creamy texture, it will also keep this tomato basil soup on the healthier side.
-
- Add in a little heat with red pepper flakes, paprika, or chili powder. Then, get ready to enjoy a spicer flavor!
Nutrition Information
Just as good as the restaurant. Just perfect for what I wanted!
This was so delicious! It was exactly what I was looking for! Just as I remember the soup tasting. Yum!
Thanks!
So cozy and comforting – perfect for all this cold blistery weather we’ve been having! Thanks for the recipe!
LOVE this soup! Such a great copycat recipe
This recipe sounds like a winner to use with my tomato sauce made from my summer batch. However, easier than using a blender, my Cuisinart immersion stick blender is so much easier t an transferring liquids. Give one a try, I’m sure you’ll love it.
Have you tried canning this soup?
We haven’t tried canning this sound and probably wouldn’t recommend it due to the dairy in the recipe. Hope this helps!
I made this recipe and before I added the cream to the whole batch I thought I’d try it in a sample and see if it needed it. Turns out I didn’t think the cream really added much and my husband agreed so we left it out. Love this soups. Love love love…
My daughter was just telling me I needed to learn to make this soup over thanksgiving. I have not had this soup yet, but I guess she loves it. I will have to surprise her over Christmas break. Thanks for sharing.
Oh boy this sounds delicious, I have to try it – and soon. It is good for breakfast, right lol.