Description
Savor summer’s essence with roasted tomato basil soup, a Mediterranean-inspired comfort classic brimming with rich, caramelized flavors. Silky smooth and deeply satisfying, you’ll discover pure culinary magic in each spoonful of this soul-warming dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2.5 pounds (1.13 kg) ripe Roma or plum tomatoes, halved
- 1 (28 ounces) can whole peeled tomatoes
- 2 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 1 large onion, roughly chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves, packed
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a kick)
Finishing Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup heavy cream or ⅓ cup coconut cream (for a dairy-free option)
Instructions
- Arrange halved tomatoes, quartered onion, and whole garlic cloves onto a rimmed baking sheet, ensuring even spacing for optimal roasting.
- Generously coat vegetables with olive oil, then sprinkle with kosher salt and cracked black pepper to enhance natural flavors.
- Roast vegetables in a preheated 400°F oven for approximately 25-30 minutes, watching for slight caramelization and softened textures.
- Transfer roasted vegetables to a high-powered blender, allowing them to cool slightly to prevent steam buildup.
- Add fresh basil leaves and dried oregano to the blender, processing until achieving a completely smooth and uniform consistency.
- Optional: Strain the blended mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to eliminate any remaining tomato skins or seeds for an ultra-silky texture.
- Pour the pureed vegetable mixture into a large pot, introducing vegetable or chicken broth to create the soup’s base.
- Gradually heat the soup over medium temperature, stirring periodically to prevent scorching and allow flavor integration.
- Reduce heat and incorporate heavy cream or coconut cream, creating a luxurious and velvety mouthfeel.
- Simmer for an additional 5 minutes, carefully adjusting seasoning with extra salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve immediately in warmed bowls, garnishing with fresh basil leaves and a delicate olive oil drizzle.
- Complement the soup with crusty artisan bread or a classic grilled cheese sandwich for a comforting dining experience.
Notes
- Roast vegetables until edges caramelize for deeper, more intense flavor profile that elevates the soup’s taste complexity.
- Experiment with different tomato varieties like Roma, San Marzano, or heirloom to discover unique flavor dimensions and color variations.
- Swap heavy cream with plant-based alternatives like almond or cashew cream to create a dairy-free version that maintains creamy texture.
- Use immersion blender directly in pot for easier cleanup and smoother blending process, reducing kitchen equipment needed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 570 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg