Cafe Zupas Tomato Basil Soup Recipe

This tomato basil soup recipe, inspired by Cafe Zupas, is one of my very favorite soups. It is simple to make and it is so rich and creamy!

Featured with this recipe

1. Ingredients for Easy Tomato Basil Soup
2. How to Make Zupas Tomato Basil Soup Recipe
3. Fresh or Canned Tomatoes
4. Variations for the Best Zupas Tomato Basil Soup Recipe
5. Frequently Asked Questions
6. Storing Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
7. More Tasty Soup Recipes
8. Creamy Tomato Basil Soup Recipe

My niece Kelsey worked at Cafe Zupas for a few years, and while she never got a glimpse of their top secret recipe book, she was able to tell me roughly how to make their famous Tomato Basil Soup. I never visit Zupas without getting a cup – it is so rich and creamy and just plain delicious! This is the perfect soup and also the perfect dip for grilled cheese sandwiches. And now I can make it at home!

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 orzo and parmesan cheese 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 want 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!
• Dried oregano – This seasoning has a bit of sweetness and a hint of bitterness with a hint of pepper similar to thyme.
• Brown sugar – Add 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 of 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, then you know they serve it with a scoop of orzo as a garnish. It is so yummy and provides a bit of texture.

How to Make Zupas Tomato Basil Soup Recipe

This rich and creamy tomato basil soup is so delicious it will warm your heart! It is a comforting and flavorful soup. Kids to adults love this cozy and easy tomato basil soup recipe!

1. Saute – 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.
2. Whisk – Pour the chicken broth into the large soup pot. Constantly whisking together. Now add tomatoes and bring to a boil.
3. Simmer – Stir in pesto, oregano, and sugar and reduce heat. Simmer for 30 minutes.
4. Blend – Remove from heat and cool. Blend until smooth using an immersion blender. If 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.
5. Serve – Garnish with parmesan cheese, orzo, and fresh basil, croutons, or crusty bread, and serve.

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 more flavor! First, you will want to roast your tomatoes by placing them on a large sheet pan and baking them in the oven. Once roasted, place in a large pot to cook at medium-high heat, then blend the ingredients 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 Zupas Tomato Basil Soup Recipe

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!

• Seasonings – Choose more seasonings to create or add to the flavor combination. We love using fresh basil leaves, fresh thyme, garlic powder, or onion powder to help add flavor, and they also blend well with this red tomato soup recipe.
• Oil – In place of butter, you can cook your vegetables in olive oil or canola oil.
• Blender – If you have an immersion blender, then you can use that instead of a blender.
• Broth flavors – For other flavors of broth, you can try beef, chicken, or vegetable.
• Milk base – 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.
• Spicy – 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

Storing Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

This tomato basil soup is perfect to make ahead or even store leftovers. Simply place it 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!

• Cooling – Allow the soup to completely cool before storing it. If you need to speed up the process, then you can place the pot where you cooked the creamy tomato basil soup in an ice bath.
• Refrigerate – Place leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days.
• Freezing – Save this soup for another day when freezing the soup in the freezer. Place the remaining soup in an airtight container or freezer bag. Store in the freezer for up to three months.
• Thawing – Place the frozen creamy tomato soup in the fridge to thaw or place the bag in warm water at room temperature.
• Reheating – Pour the leftovers or thawed soup into a large pot and slowly heat it. Stirring the entire time. The contents may separate if it is heated too quickly.

Read Next: 35+ Quick and Easy To Follow Dinner Ideas Your Family Will Surely Love

More Tasty Soup Recipes

Soup is a staple in the cold-weather months. They are warm and cozy and fill several warm bellies. Here are some more of our favorite soup recipes!

• Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
• Chicken Gnocchi Soup
• Greek Lemon Chicken Soup
• Instant Pot Chicken Enchilada Soup
• Cheesy Potato Soup
• Pastina Soup
• Ham and Bean Soup
• Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup

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