Description
Hearty Tomato and Basil Soup delivers comfort straight from Italian kitchens, blending ripe tomatoes with fragrant basil in a smooth, silky embrace. Warm spoons will guide you through each delicious bite of this classic Mediterranean favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables:
- 2.5 pounds (1.13 kilograms) Roma tomatoes, halved
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1/3 cup (79 milliliters) chopped carrots
- 4 garlic cloves, chopped
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 1 loose-packed cup (236 milliliters) basil leaves, more for garnish
- 1 teaspoon thyme leaves
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Liquids and Oils:
- 1/4 cup (59 milliliters) extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 3 cups (710 milliliters) vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F / 180C and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Arrange tomatoes cut-side up on the prepared tray, drizzle with half the olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
- Roast tomatoes for approximately 1 hour until they become soft and develop caramelized edges.
- In a large pot, heat the remaining olive oil over medium heat and sauté chopped onions, carrots, and minced garlic with a pinch of salt for about 8 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Transfer roasted tomatoes into the pot and add vegetable broth, balsamic vinegar, and fresh thyme.
- Simmer the mixture for 20 minutes, allowing flavors to meld together and develop depth.
- Remove the pot from heat and let the soup cool slightly to prevent splashing during blending.
- Use an immersion blender or standard blender to puree the soup until completely smooth and creamy.
- Incorporate fresh basil leaves and blend again to distribute the herb’s aromatic flavor.
- Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves and accompanied by crusty bread for a complete meal.
Notes
- Roasting tomatoes intensifies their natural sweetness and develops a deeper, more complex flavor profile for the soup.
- Use ripe, in-season tomatoes for the most vibrant and rich taste, ensuring maximum flavor concentration.
- For a creamier texture, stir in a splash of heavy cream or coconut milk just before serving, creating a luxurious mouthfeel.
- Adapt the recipe for dietary needs by using vegetable broth for a vegan version or adding gluten-free croutons for those avoiding gluten.
- Prep Time: 13 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 28 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 106 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg