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Velvety Roasted Tomato Basil Soup: Your New Comfort Food Favorite

Close-up of rich, orange tomato basil soup swirled with cream and sprinkled with herbs in a white mug.
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Make this restaurant-quality, creamy roasted tomato basil soup. Roasting the tomatoes deepens the flavor, creating a velvety texture that pairs perfectly with grilled cheese for the ultimate comfort meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 lbs ripe tomatoes, halved
  • 1 large yellow onion, quartered
  • 4 cloves garlic, unpeeled
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (or substitute for a lighter version)
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves, packed
  • 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Toss the halved tomatoes, onion quarters, and unpeeled garlic cloves with olive oil, salt, and pepper on a large baking sheet.
  3. Roast for 30 to 35 minutes, until the tomatoes are slightly caramelized and soft.
  4. Remove from the oven. Squeeze the roasted garlic pulp out of the skins into a large pot or Dutch oven. Add the roasted tomatoes and onions.
  5. Pour in the vegetable broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 10 minutes to let the flavors meld.
  6. Carefully transfer the soup mixture to a blender (or use an immersion blender directly in the pot). Blend until completely smooth and velvety. Return the soup to the pot if necessary.
  7. Stir in the heavy cream and the fresh basil leaves. Heat gently until warmed through; do not boil after adding the cream.
  8. Taste the soup. Add the optional sugar if the tomatoes are too acidic.
  9. Serve hot. This soup is fantastic paired with a crispy grilled cheese sandwich for dipping.

Notes

  • For the best flavor, use ripe, in-season tomatoes. If using canned tomatoes, use two 28-ounce cans of whole peeled tomatoes instead of fresh, and skip the roasting step.
  • To make this a Panera copycat soup, add 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese along with the cream for extra richness.
  • If you want a thicker soup, simmer uncovered for an extra 10 minutes before blending.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://sundayflavor.com/tomato-basil-soup-velvety-roasted-comfort/