Tomato and Basil Soup (Printable Version)

Vibrant tomatoes blended with fresh basil and olive oil create this silky Italian classic.

# Ingredient List:

→ Vegetables

01 - 3.3 lbs 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
08 - 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
09 - 1 teaspoon sugar

→ Garnish

10 - Fresh basil leaves
11 - Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 5 minutes until soft and translucent.
02 - Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to prevent browning.
03 - Stir in chopped tomatoes and cook for 10 minutes until tomatoes soften and release their juices.
04 - Add vegetable stock, salt, pepper, and sugar. Bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer gently for 15 minutes.
05 - Add basil leaves to soup, reserving some for garnish. Using an immersion blender, blend until smooth and silky, or carefully transfer in batches to a blender.
06 - Taste soup and adjust salt, pepper, or sugar as needed.
07 - Serve hot in bowls, garnish with reserved basil leaves and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like you fussed for hours when really you spent your whole afternoon doing something else.
  • One pot, one blender, and you've got something elegant enough to serve guests or cozy enough to eat in your pajamas.
  • Fresh basil at the end wakes everything up—it's the difference between pretty good soup and the kind you can't stop thinking about.
02 -
  • Don't blend until the basil is in—raw tomato soup tastes one-dimensional and slightly flat, but that basil adds a brightness that makes everything snap into focus.
  • If your soup tastes thin or watery, it's because your tomatoes weren't ripe enough or flavorful enough; no amount of simmering will fix that, but a pinch more salt and a good olive oil can sometimes mask it.
03 -
  • Buy tomatoes at a farmers market when you can, and if the vendor lets you smell them before buying, that's a good sign—your nose knows more than your eyes ever could.
  • An immersion blender changes your life because it means less cleanup and more control; you can blend until silky or leave it slightly chunky depending on your mood.
Go Back