Tomato Basil Soup

5 from 10 votes
12 Comments

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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!

A bowl of tomato basil soup topped with orzo, parmesan cheese, and basil.
Featured with this recipe
  1. Ingredients for Easy Tomato Basil Soup
  2. How to Make Homemade Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
  3. Fresh or Canned Tomatoes
  4. Variations for the Best Tomato Basil Soup
  5. Frequently Asked Questions
  6. Storing Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
  7. More Tasty Soup Recipes
  8. How to Make Tomato Basil Soup
  9. Creamy Tomato Basil Soup Recipe

Creamy tomato basil soup is my favorite tomato soup, hands down! This soup is inspired by the Cafe Zupas tomato basil soup. It is so rich and creamy and just plain delicious. This is the perfect soup to have with grilled cheese sandwiches. I love dipping a grilled cheese sandwich in tomato soup. This homemade tomato basil soup is comfort food at its best!

Make this creamy tomato basil soup recipe with either fresh or canned tomatoes. It is the perfect soup for a 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 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 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 Homemade Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

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.
Ingredients for tomato basil soup in a dutch oven before being simmered.


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 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!

  • 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!
A spoonful of tomato basil soup.

“LOVE this soup! Such a great copycat recipe.”

-Nellie

Frequently Asked Questions

How is tomato basil soup good for you?

Easy tomato basil soup recipe is an excellent source of antioxidants, vitamins C and E, plus, it is known to lower the risk of cancer and other diseases. Heart disease and obesity are also some diseases that are lowered by consuming fresh tomatoes.

What is the difference between tomato bisque and tomato basil soup?

Tomato bisque is made by adding 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!

What does tomato soup go well with?

So many side dishes go along with this popular tomato soup such as this salad, zucchini chips, or homemade rolls.

How do I make tomato basil soup thick?

If you use flour or cornstarch for the thickener, you will have a great base for 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.

What kind of tomatoes are best for tomato basil 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.

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 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!

How to Make Tomato Basil Soup

A bowl of tomato basil soup topped with orzo, parmesan cheese, and basil

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

5 from 10 votes
This creamy 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!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Servings 8

Video

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a large soup pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, celery, and garlic. Saute until veggies become soft and clear.
    Carrots, onions, and celery being sauteed in butter
  • Stir in flour and cook for about 2 minutes. Pour in chicken broth, whisking constantly. Add tomatoes and bring to a boil, stirring often.
    Ingredients for tomato basil soup in a dutch oven before being simmered
  • Stir in pesto, oregano, and brown sugar. Reduce heat to low. Simmer for 30 minutes.
    Tomato basil soup in a dutch oven before being blended
  • Remove from heat and cool for 15 minutes. Blend in a blender, working in batches, or using an immersion blender until smooth.
  • Return to pot and heat over medium until warm. Whisk in heavy cream and add salt and pepper to taste.
    Blended tomato basil soup in a large dutch oven
  • Garnish with Parmesan cheese, basil, and orzo and serve.
    A bowl of tomato basil soup topped with orzo, parmesan cheese, and basil

Notes

  • If using a slow cooker, the instructions are nearly the same except that instead of simmering for 30 minutes, transfer the soup to the slow cooker and cook on low for at least 4 hours. 
  • Store soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. When ready to reheat, place in the microwave or cook on medium-low heat until it is warmed through. 
  • Here are some ideas for variations on this recipe:
    • I love using fresh basil leaves, garlic powder, or onion powder to add flavor. Add red pepper flakes, paprika, or chili powder for a spicier flavor. 
    • In place of butter, you can cook your vegetables in olive oil or canola oil.
    • For a healthier version, replace heavy cream with coconut or almond milk. 
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Nutrition Information

Calories: 291kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 4gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 57mgSodium: 701mgPotassium: 431mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 2578IUVitamin C: 16mgCalcium: 126mgIron: 2mg

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About the author

Erica Walker

Erica lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband, Jared, an attorney, and her three beautiful girls. Beyond the world of recipes, she loves adventuring with everything from kayaking, to cruising, to snowboarding and taking the family along for the thrill ride.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I don’t usually leave reviews on recipes I’ve tried but I just had to leave one for this. This is literally the best tomato soup I have ever had and beats any soup I’ve had at a restaurant. Will definitely be making this again and anyone who loves tomato soup needs to follow this recipe!! Would give more stars if I could!!

  2. 5 stars
    This was so delicious! It was exactly what I was looking for! Just as I remember the soup tasting. Yum!
    Thanks!

  3. 5 stars
    So cozy and comforting – perfect for all this cold blistery weather we’ve been having! Thanks for the recipe!

  4. 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.

    1. We haven’t tried canning this sound and probably wouldn’t recommend it due to the dairy in the recipe. Hope this helps!

      1. 5 stars
        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…

  5. 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.