Description
This homemade tomato soup recipe is a comforting and flavorful dish made from fresh or canned tomatoes, aromatic herbs, and a touch of cream for extra smoothness. Perfectly balanced with basil and thyme, this soup is easy to prepare and ideal for a cozy meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups fresh tomatoes, chopped (or 2 cans of whole tomatoes)
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 3 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
- ½ cup heavy cream (optional for extra creaminess)
- Fresh basil leaves (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Heat oil and sauté aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the onion becomes soft and fragrant, releasing its natural sweetness.
- Cook tomatoes and herbs: Add the chopped fresh tomatoes or canned tomatoes to the pot. Stir in dried basil, dried thyme, and sugar. Cook the mixture for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes soften and start to break down, forming a chunky sauce.
- Add broth and simmer: Pour in the vegetable or chicken broth along with salt and black pepper. Bring the soup to a gentle simmer and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together and the soup to develop depth.
- Blend the soup: Using an immersion blender, carefully puree the soup into a smooth and creamy texture. If you prefer a slightly chunkier soup, blend only part of it, leaving some pieces of tomato intact.
- Incorporate cream and adjust seasoning: Stir in the heavy cream if you desire a richer, creamier soup. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning by adding more salt or black pepper as needed to suit your palate.
- Serve garnished: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish with fresh basil leaves for an aromatic and pleasing presentation. Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- You can substitute fresh tomatoes with canned whole tomatoes for convenience while maintaining rich flavor.
- The heavy cream is optional and can be omitted for a lighter, dairy-free version.
- Adjust herbs and seasoning according to taste preferences; dried basil and thyme can be replaced with fresh herbs if available but add them later to avoid bitterness.
- For a vegan version, use vegetable broth and omit the heavy cream or substitute with coconut cream.
- The immersion blender helps create a smooth texture, but you can use a traditional blender in batches if needed—allow soup to cool somewhat before blending.
