Tomato and Basil Soup (Printable)

Silky tomato soup with aromatic basil and olive oil—ready in 40 minutes for a comforting light meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 3.3 pounds ripe tomatoes, chopped
02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Liquids

04 - 3 cups vegetable stock
05 - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

→ Herbs & Seasoning

06 - 1 small bunch fresh basil leaves, picked
07 - 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
08 - 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
09 - 1 teaspoon sugar, optional for balancing acidity

→ Garnish

10 - Extra basil leaves
11 - Additional olive oil for drizzling

# Method:

01 - Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes until soft and translucent.
02 - Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to prevent browning.
03 - Stir in the chopped tomatoes and cook for 10 minutes until the tomatoes break down and release their natural juices.
04 - Add the vegetable stock, salt, pepper, and sugar if using. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer gently for 15 minutes.
05 - Add the basil leaves, reserving a few for garnish. Blend the soup using an immersion blender or in batches in a standard blender until smooth and silky.
06 - Taste the soup and adjust seasoning as needed with additional salt, pepper, or sugar.
07 - Serve the soup hot, garnished with reserved basil leaves and a drizzle of olive oil.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like restaurant quality but comes together faster than you'd expect on a weeknight.
  • Fresh basil transforms this from simple to something that feels like a small luxury in a bowl.
  • The silky texture makes it feel indulgent without any cream if you don't want it.
02 -
  • Don't skip tasting your tomatoes before you start; if they're watery or flavorless, no amount of technique will fix that—summer tomatoes are non-negotiable for this recipe.
  • The immersion blender is your secret weapon here; it creates a silkier texture than a regular blender and keeps the soup warmer since you're not transferring it back and forth.
03 -
  • Buy your tomatoes from a farmers market if you can; they're often picked riper and fresher than supermarket varieties, which makes an enormous difference in the final flavor.
  • Warm your serving bowls under hot water before ladling the soup in—this small gesture keeps everything tasting its best for those extra minutes while you eat.
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