Published: September 2021. Updated September 2023.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Tomato Soup:
- Packed with Flavor: Ingredients like shallots, roasted heirloom tomatoes, fresh basil, and cooking sherry greatly enhance the flavor.
- Easy to Make: This soup can be prepared in under an hour, with only 20-30 minutes of active cooking time.
- Basic Ingredients: Most ingredients are likely already in your pantry, with the exception of shallots and cooking sherry.
Ingredient Overview
For the complete recipe, including measurements and directions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
This recipe features a combination of basic pantry staples along with a few fresh ingredients that bring out incredible flavors. It’s worth noting that this dish is closer to a bisque than a standard soup—it’s thicker, creamier, and the best tomato bisque you’ve ever tasted!
- Heirloom Tomatoes: Roasting heirloom tomatoes adds depth and richness. This recipe is perfect for utilizing fresh tomatoes from your garden or farmer’s market during the tomato season. Regular or Roma tomatoes can also be substituted.
- Spices: Just basil, salt, and pepper are needed to create a flavorful tomato soup.
- Shallots: Shallots contribute significantly more flavor compared to standard onions, making them the preferred choice.
- Cooking Sherry: This is usually found near olive oils and cooking vinegars in the grocery store and acts as an additional flavor enhancer.
- Canned Fire-Roasted Diced Tomatoes: These are commonly used as the base for most recipes, and fire-roasted varieties provide the best taste.
- Tomato Paste: This concentrated paste provides an intense tomato flavor, adding richness to your soup.
- Heavy Cream: This ingredient is optional and can be omitted based on dietary needs.
- Garlic: Use fresh garlic cloves, minced, or pre-minced garlic in a jar, as either will work well!
Ingredient Substitutions:
- Gluten-free: The recipe is gluten-free as written!
- Dairy-free: You can use your preferred dairy-free cream or omit it completely.
- Vegan: Skip the cream or opt for a dairy-free version to make this recipe vegan-friendly.
- Heirloom Tomatoes: If heirlooms aren’t available, you can use standard tomatoes or leave them out entirely.
- Broth: Both vegetable and chicken broth will work well in this recipe.
How to Make the Best Tomato Soup Recipe Step-by-Step:
Step 1: Roast Tomatoes. Slice your fresh tomatoes and arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and generously season with salt and pepper. Roast them at 450 degrees for approximately 15 minutes. While they roast, you can begin preparing the rest of the recipe.
Step 2: Build the Soup Base. In a large pot or Dutch oven, sauté chopped shallots in a bit of olive oil. Once they are soft and golden, add minced garlic and tomato paste, cooking for a few more minutes to enhance the flavor.
Step 3: Simmer the Soup. Add canned fire-roasted tomatoes, broth, cooking sherry, dried basil, salt, pepper, and a pinch of brown sugar to the pot. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Step 4: Blend. Once your soup mixture has finished simmering, transfer it to a blender along with the roasted heirloom tomatoes. Blend everything until smooth and creamy. Alternatively, an immersion blender can be used directly in the pot.
Step 5: Add Cream and Basil. Return the blended soup to the pot and stir in a splash of heavy cream. Enjoy it served with a loaf of crusty bread for a perfect meal!
Serving + Storing this Homemade Tomato Soup Recipe:
Serve this soup hot with a drizzle of cream and some fresh basil on top. For a delightful pairing, consider serving it with crispy grilled cheese sandwiches, perfect for dipping into this delicious bisque! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-6 days.
Expert Success Tips for Homemade Tomato Basil Soup:
- Oven Thermometer: An oven thermometer will help you verify the actual temperature of your oven, essential for consistent results.
- Kitchen Scale: A food scale ensures proper measurement of ingredients, especially flour, which can greatly vary by method.
- Grilled Cheese Sandwich: Enhance your meal further with a grilled cheese made from a combination of gouda, muenster, and sharp cheddar.