There’s something magical about a pot of tomato soup bubbling away on the stove … especially in my kitchen, where socks are mandatory nine months out of the year and comfort food is basically a love language. This Creamy Tomato Basil Soup is one I make again and again – bright, cozy, silky, and just so good with a grilled cheese dunked right in. It comes together in 30 minutes, uses pantry staples, and tastes like you spent all day working on it (but we’ll keep that between us 😉). With fresh basil, a little cream, and a sprinkle of parmesan that melts right into the bowl … this one is a keeper.
Creamy Tomato Soup Recipe
Servings: 8 (1 cup servings)
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 yellow onions (about 3 cups finely chopped)
- 3 garlic cloves (1 Tbsp minced)
- 56 oz crushed tomatoes (two 28-oz cans), with juice
- 2 cups chicken bone broth
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil + extra to serve
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ⅓ cup freshly grated parmesan + extra to serve
Instructions
- In a Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté 10–12 minutes until softened and lightly golden. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, chopped basil, sugar, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat, partially cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Blend with an immersion blender for a smoother texture, or keep it chunky if that’s your style. I’m a BIG immersion blender fan, so I lean towards zipping this soup SMOOTH.
- Add the heavy cream and parmesan. Return to a gentle simmer and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve hot with extra parmesan and basil.
Notes:
Important: Use a Non-Reactive Pot:
This soup is tomato-forward, and tomatoes love to react with certain metals. Skip aluminum, cast iron, or copper – your soup could take on a metallic taste.
Stick with:
✔️ Stainless steel
✔️ Enamel-coated cast iron
✔️ Ceramic
✔️ Glass
I love using my enamel-coated Dutch oven for this.
Adjust your Sugar or Cream:
If your tomatoes are extra acidic, add a little more sugar or cream until the soup tastes perfectly balanced.
How to Serve Tomato Basil Soup:
- Grilled cheese sandwich (try dipping … seriously, just try it)
- Ham & cheese melts – I’ve made these with this soup and wow
- Shredded parmesan – a snowy finish of salty goodness
- Fresh basil – thin ribbons on top
- Croutons – crunchy and perfect
- Warm toast or crostini – for dunking
I hope this Creamy Tomato Basil Soup finds its way into your regular rotation the way it has into mine. It’s the soup I reach for when I want something simple but soul-warming – the kind of recipe that makes the whole house smell like a warm hug. Pair it with a grilled cheese, pour yourself something cozy, and settle in. If you make this one, let me know … I love hearing when my favorite comfort foods become yours too. ❤️
