Roasted Tomato Basil Soup (Print version)

Silky, aromatic Italian soup featuring oven-roasted tomatoes blended with fresh basil for luxurious comfort in every spoonful.

# What you’ll need:

→ Roasted Vegetables

01 - 3.3 lbs ripe tomatoes, halved
02 - 1 large yellow onion, quartered
03 - 6 cloves garlic, peeled
04 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
05 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
06 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Soup Base

07 - 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
08 - 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, packed
09 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, optional
10 - 1 teaspoon sugar, optional

→ Garnish

11 - 1/4 cup heavy cream or crème fraîche, optional
12 - Fresh basil leaves for garnish
13 - Croutons or toasted bread, optional

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Arrange halved tomatoes, onion quarters, and garlic cloves on the baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
03 - Roast for 35 to 40 minutes until tomatoes are caramelized and onions are tender.
04 - Transfer roasted vegetables and any pan juices to a large pot. Add vegetable broth and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
05 - Stir in fresh basil leaves, butter, and sugar if using. Simmer for 5 minutes to combine flavors.
06 - Use an immersion blender to puree soup until smooth. Alternatively, blend in batches using a countertop blender and return to pot.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. For a silkier texture, strain soup through a fine sieve.
08 - Serve hot, drizzled with cream and garnished with fresh basil leaves and croutons or toasted bread if desired.

# Cooking tips:

01 -
  • Roasting the tomatoes concentrates their natural sugars into a deep sweetness you simply cannot get from a pot alone.
  • It is incredibly forgiving allowing you to use those slightly bruised tomatoes that might otherwise go to waste.
02 -
  • Always use a rimmed baking sheet because tomatoes release a surprising amount of liquid that you do not want to lose.
  • Adding the basil too early in the roasting process will turn it bitter and dull so save it for the pot.
03 -
  • Save any leftover soup to use as a rich sauce for a quick penne pasta the next day.
  • Let the roasted garlic cool for a moment before handling so you do not burn your fingers.
Go back