Description
Comforting homemade tomato soup brings Italian countryside warmth to your kitchen, blending ripe tomatoes with fragrant herbs. Creamy, rich, and packed with nostalgic flavors, you’ll want to savor every spoonful of this classic comfort dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 (28 ounces / 794 grams) cans whole peeled tomatoes
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Finishing Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup heavy cream (or full-fat coconut milk for dairy-free)
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the aromatic base by heating olive oil in a spacious pot over medium temperature. Gently sauté diced onions until they become translucent and soft, releasing their sweet fragrance. Introduce minced garlic and allow it to bloom for a brief moment, infusing the oil with its pungent essence.
- Incorporate tomato paste into the aromatic mixture, stirring consistently to caramelize and intensify the deep, rich flavor profile. The paste will darken and develop a more concentrated taste.
- Carefully add whole canned tomatoes, gently crushing them with a wooden spoon to release their vibrant juices. Pour in vegetable broth, then sprinkle sugar, dried basil, oregano, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to create a harmonious flavor foundation.
- Elevate the heat momentarily to trigger a gentle boil, then immediately reduce to a low simmer. Allow the liquid to bubble softly, melding the ingredients and developing a complex taste landscape for approximately 20 minutes.
- Transform the soup’s texture using an immersion blender, puréeing directly in the pot until achieving a velvety, smooth consistency. Alternatively, transfer the mixture carefully to a standard blender, processing in small batches to ensure a creamy result.
- Return the silky soup to the pot if using a standard blender. Gently fold in heavy cream, creating a luxurious, rich finish. Warm the mixture over low heat, taking care not to boil.
- Ladle the steaming soup into serving bowls, garnishing with delicate fresh basil leaves for an aromatic touch. Serve immediately alongside crusty artisan bread or a crispy grilled cheese sandwich for a comforting meal.
Notes
- Slow-cook onions until deeply caramelized for a rich, sweet base that elevates the soup’s flavor complexity.
- Control tomato paste cooking time carefully to prevent burning and develop a deeper, more concentrated tomato essence.
- Crush tomatoes by hand for a rustic texture and more authentic homemade feel compared to machine-processed versions.
- Use an immersion blender directly in the pot to minimize cleanup and prevent potential burns from transferring hot liquid.
- Adjust cream quantity based on desired richness – less for a lighter soup, more for a decadent, velvety experience.
- Swap heavy cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free alternative that maintains creamy consistency.
- Add roasted red peppers or sun-dried tomatoes for an intense, smoky undertone that complements the fresh tomato flavor.
- Season gradually and taste frequently to build layers of flavor and achieve perfect balance between acidity and sweetness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg