Creamy Tomato Basil Soup is made with roasted fresh tomatoes, garlic, and basil for rich, homemade flavor in every spoonful. Finished with a splash of cream, it's velvety, comforting, and the perfect way to enjoy summer tomatoes.
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Jump to:
- Pull Up A Chair & Let's Chat
- What You'll Need & Why
- How To Make Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
- Swaps & Variations
- Tips For The Best Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
- Tomato Basil Soup Recipe
- Best Sandwiches to Serve with Tomato Basil Soup
- Storage and Reheating Instructions
- You Asked, I Answered
- More Comforting Soup Recipes You'll Love
- Who’s Stirring the Pot?
Pull Up A Chair & Let's Chat
There's nothing quite like a bowl of Creamy Tomato Basil Soup made with sweet roasted tomatoes and fresh basil. It's rich, velvety, and just the thing to pair with a crispy grilled cheese or a hunk of crusty bread.
This is my favorite way to use fresh summer tomatoes when they're at their peak. Roasting them brings out their natural sweetness, while fresh basil keeps every spoonful bright, fresh, and full of homemade flavor.
Why You'll Love This Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
- Peak summer flavor: Roasted fresh tomatoes and basil make every bowl taste like summer.
- Rich and creamy: A splash of heavy cream creates a silky, velvety finish.
- Simple ingredients: Fresh tomatoes, basil, garlic, and a handful of pantry staples are all you need.
- Easy to make: Roast, blend, simmer, and dinner is served.
- Perfect for dipping: Pair it with grilled cheese or crusty artisan bread for the ultimate comfort meal.
What You'll Need & Why
- Fresh tomatoes: The star of the soup. Roasting concentrates their natural sweetness and creates incredible depth of flavor.
- Fresh basil: Adds bright, classic basil flavor that pairs perfectly with ripe tomatoes.
- Garlic & onion: Roast alongside the tomatoes to build a rich, savory base without any harsh bite.
- Chicken broth: Brings everything together while letting the fresh tomato flavor shine.
- Heavy cream: Just enough to make the soup silky, creamy, and perfectly balanced.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds a subtle salty, nutty finish that rounds out every spoonful.
- Olive oil & seasonings: A drizzle of olive oil plus kosher salt, black pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes enhance the natural flavors without overpowering them.
How To Make Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
- Roast the vegetables: Toss the tomatoes, onion, and garlic with olive oil and season generously. Roast until the tomatoes are caramelized and bursting with flavor.
- Build the soup: Transfer the roasted vegetables to a Dutch oven with the broth, basil, Parmesan rind, and seasonings.
- Simmer: Let everything cook together for 15–20 minutes so the flavors can meld.
- Blend until smooth: Remove the Parmesan rind, then blend the soup until silky with an immersion blender or countertop blender.
- Finish with cream: Stir in the heavy cream and taste for seasoning before serving.
- Serve and enjoy: Top with fresh basil, grated Parmesan, croutons, or a drizzle of cream, and don't forget the grilled cheese!
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Swaps & Variations
This Creamy Tomato Basil Soup is easy to customize, whether you're working with garden tomatoes, pantry staples, or dietary preferences.
- Make it vegetarian: Swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth. The soup will still be rich and flavorful.
- Use different tomatoes: Roma, vine-ripened, heirloom, or garden tomatoes all work beautifully. Just use ripe, flavorful tomatoes.
- Add more vegetables: Roast a red bell pepper or a couple of carrots with the tomatoes for a slightly sweeter soup.
- Turn up the heat: Add a roasted jalapeño or a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little kick.
- Make it dairy-free: Use your favorite unsweetened dairy-free cream in place of the heavy cream and omit the Parmesan rind.
Tips For The Best Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
A few simple tips can take this Creamy Tomato Basil Soup from good to unforgettable. Here's how to get the best flavor every time.
- Roast until caramelized: Don't rush the roasting step. Deeply roasted tomatoes develop a sweeter, richer flavor that makes all the difference.
- Use the ripest tomatoes you can find: Whether they're from your garden, the farmers market, or the grocery store, ripe tomatoes will give you the best flavor.
- Blend to your preference: Leave the soup slightly chunky for a rustic texture or blend until completely smooth and silky.
- Taste before serving: Tomatoes can vary in sweetness, so add an extra pinch of salt or a splash of cream if needed to balance the flavors.
- Short on time? Whole canned tomatoes work great. If you go this route, skip the roasting and simmer the onions and garlic until they're tender.
Tomato Basil Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 lbs tomatoes halved
- 1 med yellow onion rough chopped
- 1 head garlic cloves separated and peeled
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- kosher salt to taste
- fresh ground pepper to taste
- 4 cups chicken broth
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- parmesan rind
- ½ cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Toss the tomatoes, onions, and garlic with olive oil and season liberally with kosher salt and fresh ground pepper.
- Roast them in a preheated 425°F oven for 40 minutes.
- After 40 minutes, add the tomatoes, onion, and garlic to a dutch oven along with the remaining ingredients except the heavy cream.
- Bring soup to a simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes.
- Remove the parmesan rind. Using an immersion blender, blend soup to your desired consistency.
- Stir in the heavy cream.
- Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
Best Sandwiches to Serve with Tomato Basil Soup
Creamy Tomato Basil Soup is even better with something warm and hearty for dipping. These are a few of my favorite pairings.
- Ham and Cheese Sliders – Great for feeding a crowd.
- Classic Grilled Cheese – The crispy, buttery classic that never disappoints.
- Chicken Caesar Salad Wraps – Fresh, crunchy, and perfect for lunch or dinner.
- BLT Sandwiches – Crispy bacon and juicy tomatoes are a natural match.
- No-Knead Bread – If you're not in the mood for a sandwich, a warm slice of crusty homemade bread is all you need for dipping. I even have a version filled with olives!
- Gluten-Free Artisan Bread – All the crusty, dunkable goodness of homemade bread—without the gluten.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Refrigerate: Store leftover tomato basil soup in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, stirring occasionally.
- Freeze: Let the soup cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Pro Tip: Tomato soup loves to splatter in the microwave. Cover the bowl with a damp paper towel or microwave-safe lid to keep your microwave (and your future self) happy.
You Asked, I Answered
What kind of tomatoes are best for tomato basil soup?
Roma tomatoes are my favorite because they're naturally meaty and flavorful, but any ripe, fresh tomatoes will work. Garden tomatoes, Campari, vine-ripened, and heirloom tomatoes are all great options.
Do I really need to roast the tomatoes?
I highly recommend it. Roasting caramelizes the tomatoes, garlic, and onions, bringing out their natural sweetness and creating a much deeper, richer flavor than cooking them raw.
Do I need to peel the tomatoes first?
Nope! Once the soup has simmered, everything gets blended until smooth, so there's no need to peel the tomatoes first.
More Comforting Soup Recipes You'll Love
If there's always room for one more cozy bowl at your table, these reader-favorite soups are worth adding to your menu.
- Tomato Soup with Canned Tomatoes – A rich, creamy pantry-friendly version that's perfect when fresh tomatoes aren't in season.
- Chicken Pot Pie Soup – Creamy, comforting, and loaded with tender chicken and vegetables.
- Greek Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup – Bright, fresh, and packed with tender chicken, orzo, and lemon.
- Broccoli Cheese Soup – Thick, cheesy, and every bit as comforting as your favorite café version.
- Loaded Baked Potato Soup – A hearty, creamy classic topped with crispy bacon, cheddar, and green onions.
Who’s Stirring the Pot?
Hi, I’m Ruth—the recipe developer and comfort-food enthusiast behind Rufus For Real. I believe dinner should be the best part of your day, not the most stressful one. That’s why I focus on "no-drama" meals that are simple, satisfying, and impossible to mess up in a real-life kitchen.
I want to hear from you! How did you like this Creamy Tomato Basil Soup?! Let me know in the comments below—I read every single one!
You’ll find me sharing even more comfort-food goodness, kitchen tips, and behind-the-scenes chaos over on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube (@rufusforreal everywhere).
If you love approachable recipes with a whole lot of personality, pull up a chair—there’s always room at this table.
Happy Cooking!
-Ruth aka Rufus
Kay Guidry says
Soothing and yummy!
Rufus says
Thank you so much!
Tina B says
Not even comparable to the can version.
This soup is super good anytime of the year!
Lauren McW says
My goodness this is an amazing soup! I love all your recipes, but this is our new favorite!!
Rufus says
Thank you so much! You don't know how much it means to me to hear what you think!