Description
This homemade tomato soup is a comforting and flavorful classic, made from scratch using canned tomatoes, aromatic herbs, and a touch of cream for richness. It’s perfect for a cozy meal and easy to prepare with simple ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Base
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cans (14.5 ounces each) diced tomatoes
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Finish
- ½ cup heavy cream (optional)
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Sauté Onion: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes, releasing its natural sweetness.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant, taking care not to burn the garlic.
- Add Tomatoes and Seasonings: Add the diced tomatoes with their juice, vegetable broth, sugar, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
- Simmer: Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a simmer. Once simmering, reduce the heat to low and cook uncovered for 20 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Puree Soup: Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth. Alternatively, carefully transfer the soup in batches to a blender, blend until smooth, and return it to the pot.
- Add Cream: If using, stir in the heavy cream for a richer, creamier texture. Heat the soup on low until warmed through, but do not boil.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the soup and adjust the salt, pepper, or herbs as needed to suit your preference.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh basil leaves for a bright, fresh finish.
Notes
- For a vegan version, omit the heavy cream or substitute with coconut cream or plant-based cream.
- You can use fresh tomatoes in season, but canned tomatoes provide consistent flavor year-round.
- Adjust the thickness by adding more vegetable broth if you prefer a thinner soup.
- This soup freezes well; store in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
- To enhance flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle heat.
