Easy Creamy Tomato Basil Soup with Parmesan Garlic Crostini

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this incredibly Easy Creamy Tomato Basil Soup Recipe. Bursting with rich tomato flavor, fragrant basil, and a luxurious creamy texture, this homemade soup is surprisingly simple to prepare. Elevate your dining experience by serving it with our irresistible buttery Parmesan-garlic crostini, creating a meal that’s both comforting and gourmet.

Author’s Note

Inspired by Nordstrom’s Legendary Tomato Soup

While I adore my classic roasted tomato basil soup, crafted from sun-kissed garden tomatoes, the reality is that life often doesn’t allow for such elaborate preparations. On those busier days, nothing comes to the rescue quite like high-quality canned tomatoes. Forget any skepticism you might have; with the right brand, canned tomatoes can be the secret weapon for an astonishingly flavorful soup. For this particular recipe, I’m absolutely devoted to Cento’s Italian-style tomatoes – they are truly the undisputed star that gives this easy tomato soup its exceptional depth.

This recipe is a loving, barely-adapted homage to the famed Nordstrom tomato basil soup, a dish that consistently drives people wild with delight. Chef Keith generously shared its secrets on social media a few years back, and since then, it has secured a permanent spot as one of my all-time favorites. I find myself returning to it again and again because it consistently delivers a thick, luxuriously creamy, hearty, and utterly satisfying experience. The ease of preparation, thanks to those wonderful canned tomatoes, makes it a weeknight hero. And please, whatever you do, do not skip the Parmesan-garlic crostini topping – it’s not just an accompaniment; it’s an essential part of the magic that completes this magnificent meal!

Key Ingredients for the Perfect Tomato Soup

Crafting this delicious creamy tomato basil soup requires a few simple yet essential ingredients. The quality of each component plays a significant role in the final flavor profile. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why:

How To Make This Easy Tomato Soup Recipe

Making this creamy tomato soup is a straightforward process that yields incredibly delicious results. Follow these simple steps for a perfect batch every time:

1. Sauté Aromatics: Begin by heating the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped carrots, onion, and dried basil. Sauté patiently, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften and become fragrant, typically 10-12 minutes. This step is crucial for developing the foundational flavors of your soup. Season lightly with salt and pepper during this stage (e.g., about ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper).
2. Add Tomatoes and Broth: Stir in the canned whole Italian-style tomatoes (along with their purée) and the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, ensuring all ingredients are well combined.
3. Simmer for Flavor: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover partially, and let the soup simmer uncovered for at least 20 minutes. This simmering time allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the tomatoes to break down further, intensifying the soup’s taste.
4. Blend to Perfection: Remove the pot from the heat. Carefully purée the soup until silky smooth. You can achieve this using an immersion blender directly in the pot, or by carefully transferring batches to a standard blender or food processor. If using a regular blender, remember to vent the lid to allow steam to escape and blend in small batches to prevent spills.
5. Incorporate Cream: Return the smooth soup to the pan. Stir in the heavy cream until fully incorporated. Place the pot back over medium-low heat and gently warm the soup through, being careful not to bring it to a rolling boil after adding the cream. Taste and adjust seasonings, adding more salt and pepper as needed (e.g., another 1 teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper for a total of 1½ teaspoons salt and ½ teaspoon pepper).
6. Finish and Serve: Ladle the hot, creamy tomato basil soup into bowls. Garnish generously with fresh basil ribbons and serve immediately alongside your freshly baked Parmesan-garlic crostini. Enjoy every comforting spoonful!

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Easy Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

By
Chelsea Lords

This Easy Tomato Soup Recipe creates a comforting bowl of creamy tomato and basil soup that pairs perfectly with crisp, cheesy crostini. It’s an ideal meal for cozy evenings or a delightful lunch.

Prep Time:
35 minutes

Cook Time:
30 minutes

Total Time:
1 hour 5 minutes

Servings:
8 servings

Video Overview

Equipment Needed

• Large Pot or Dutch Oven (6-8 quart)
• Immersion Blender (or standard blender/food processor)
• Baking Sheet
• Medium Bowl

Ingredients

For the Creamy Tomato Soup

• 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 5 large carrots, peeled and coarsely chopped (about 2 ¾ cups)
• 1 large yellow onion, coarsely chopped (about 2 cups)
• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• 3 (28-ounce) cans whole Italian-style tomatoes in purée (Cento recommended)
• 1 ¾ cups chicken broth
• 2 cups heavy cream
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, cut into fine ribbons, for garnish

Optional: Parmesan Garlic Crostini Topping

• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 2 ounces)
• ⅛ teaspoon salt
• ¾ teaspoon granulated garlic
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley
• 1 baguette, cut on a sharp diagonal into 3/8-inch-thick slices

Detailed Instructions

Part 1: Make the Soup

1. In a 6–8 quart saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat, warm the olive oil, swirling to evenly coat the bottom of the pan. Add the chopped carrots, onion, and dried basil. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and translucent, about 10–12 minutes. This crucial step extracts their sweetness and builds a robust flavor base. Season to taste with a pinch of salt (around 1/2 teaspoon) and pepper (1/4 teaspoon) during this process.
2. Add the canned whole Italian-style tomatoes (with their purée) and the chicken broth to the saucepan. Stir everything together well. Increase the heat slightly and bring the mixture just to a gentle boil.
3. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low. Let the soup simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes. This allows the tomatoes to break down further and the flavors to fully meld and deepen, creating a more complex and satisfying taste.
4. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Carefully purée the soup until it is completely smooth and creamy. This can be done directly in the pot using an immersion blender, or by transferring the soup in batches to a standard blender or food processor. Remember to follow hot liquid blending safety tips as outlined above.
5. Return the puréed soup to the pan. Stir in the heavy cream until thoroughly combined. Place the pot over medium-low heat and gently warm the soup through, ensuring it doesn’t come to a rapid boil. Taste the soup and season generously with additional salt and pepper as needed to achieve your desired flavor profile (I often add another 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper at this stage).

Part 2: Make the Parmesan Garlic Crostini

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Position an oven rack in the top third of the oven to ensure even browning of the crostini.
2. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, mash together the softened unsalted butter, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and granulated garlic. Mix until all ingredients are well combined and form a cohesive spread. Stir in the finely chopped fresh parsley.
3. Take each slice of baguette and generously spread the butter mixture over one side. Ensure the entire surface of the bread is fully covered with the flavorful topping for maximum crispness and taste.
4. Arrange the buttered crostini slices on a baking sheet. Place them close together but make sure they are not touching, allowing air to circulate. Bake in the preheated oven for 10–15 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and are crispy. Serve the crostini warm with your creamy tomato basil soup.

Recipe Notes for Success

Choosing the Right Tomatoes: The secret to this soup’s incredible flavor is using high-quality canned Italian-style tomatoes. Brands like Cento offer exceptional flavor depth that can’t be replicated with lesser quality varieties. Their natural sweetness and rich acidity are paramount.
Don’t Rush the Sauté: Allowing the carrots and onions to slowly caramelize for 10-12 minutes is not a step to skip. This process develops a deep, sweet base that truly enhances the overall complexity of the soup.
Seasoning is Key: Taste your soup at various stages – after sautéing vegetables, after simmering, and especially after adding cream. Adjust salt and pepper as needed; these seasonings bring out the natural flavors of the tomatoes and basil. A small dash of sugar can also balance acidity if your tomatoes are particularly tart.
Immersion Blender vs. Regular Blender: An immersion blender makes quick work of puréeing directly in the pot, minimizing cleanup. If using a regular blender, remember to work in small batches and properly vent the lid to prevent hot liquid from exploding due to steam pressure.
Crostini Perfection: For the best crostini, ensure your butter is softened so it spreads easily. Grating fresh Parmesan makes a significant difference in flavor and melt. Keep a close eye on them in the oven; they can go from golden to burnt quickly!

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Serving:
1 serving

|

Calories:
585kcal

|

Carbohydrates:
36g

|

Protein:
10g

|

Fat:
45g

|

Saturated Fat:
23g

|

Polyunsaturated Fat:
2g

|

Monounsaturated Fat:
15g

|

Trans Fat:
1g

|

Cholesterol:
119mg

|

Sodium:
847mg

|

Potassium:
658mg

|

Fiber:
5g

|

Sugar:
11g

|

Vitamin A:
11450IU

|

Vitamin C:
20mg

|

Calcium:
181mg

|

Iron:
2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and is provided as an estimate. It should only be used as an approximation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tomato Soup

Perfect Companions: What to Serve On The Side

While this creamy tomato basil soup is a meal in itself, pairing it with the right side dishes can elevate your dining experience. Here are some fantastic options:

• Fresh Salads: A crisp, refreshing garden salad or a zesty Caesar salad provides a perfect counterpoint to the richness of the soup, offering a light and vibrant contrast.
• Roasted Vegetables: Enhance your meal with hearty and nutritious roasted vegetables. Try perfectly tender roasted broccoli, caramelized Parmesan Brussels sprouts, or sweet and savory roasted carrots. These add texture and extra nutrients to your plate.
• Light Pasta Salad: A refreshing corn, zucchini, and avocado pasta salad offers a light and invigorating element that beautifully complements the warmth and creaminess of the soup.
• Hearty Sandwiches: Beyond grilled cheese, simple yet satisfying sandwiches make excellent companions. A classic turkey sandwich, a savory ham and cheese hoagie, or a fresh BLT all pair wonderfully with this soup, creating a well-rounded and fulfilling meal.
• Baked Potatoes: For a comforting and substantial side, consider serving fluffy baked potatoes with crispy skins. They can be topped with butter, sour cream, or chives, providing a hearty complement to the creamy soup.
• Quiche or Savory Tarts: A slice of vegetable quiche or a small savory tart can add a touch of elegance and additional flavors that harmonize with the tomato and basil.