Name: Creamy Tomato Basil Soup Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ¼ cup unsalted butter; 2 cups yellow onion, chopped (medium sized); 1 tablespoon garlic, minced (about 3 cloves); 56 ounces crushed tomatoes (2 - 28-ounce cans); 2 tablespoons granulated sugar; 2 cups chicken broth; ⅓ cup fresh basil, chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried basil); 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (optional); ½ cup heavy whipping cream; ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded

There’s something incredibly soothing about a warm bowl of soup, especially when it’s velvety smooth and brimming with fresh flavors. This Creamy Tomato Basil Soup Recipe strikes that perfect balance between rich creaminess and bright, herbaceous freshness — it’s like a comforting hug in a bowl.

A white bowl filled with bright orange creamy soup, topped with swirls of white cream and sprinkled with green fresh herbs and black pepper, a white spoon resting inside the bowl on the right side. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with a hint of a white bowl of the same soup and a glass jar filled with white cream blurred in the background. A small yellow cloth is partially visible at the bottom left corner of the image. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Tomato Basil Soup Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Creamy Tomato Basil Soup Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Creamy Tomato Basil Soup Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made a lot of tomato soups in my kitchen, but this Creamy Tomato Basil Soup Recipe is hands-down one of my favorites to come back to. It’s straightforward to make, uses simple ingredients, and yet tastes incredibly gourmet. Plus, the fresh basil gives it that beautiful garden-fresh note that’s hard to beat.

Comfort in Every Spoonful: This soup’s creamy texture paired with tangy tomatoes feels soothing and satisfying, perfect for chillier days.
Simple Ingredients: You probably have most of these in your pantry or fridge, making it super approachable for an easy weeknight meal.
Fast and Flavorful: The soup comes together in about 30 minutes without sacrificing depth of flavor.
Customizable: You can tweak the creaminess, basil amount, or try adding extras like balsamic for a subtle twist.

Two white bowls of bright orange creamy tomato soup sit on a white marbled surface. Each bowl is topped with a swirl of white cream and sprinkled with small green herb pieces and black pepper. One bowl in the front has two golden toasted bread slices dipped into the soup on the right side of the bowl. The background shows part of another bowl of the same soup and some scattered green herbs. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Creamy Tomato Basil Soup Recipe plays a key role, coming together to create that perfect harmony of sweet, savory, fresh, and creamy. Here’s a quick glance at what makes them shine — plus some tips for choosing the best ones.

Flat lay of one small pile of unsalted butter, a medium mound of roughly chopped yellow onions, three whole uncracked garlic cloves, fresh crushed ripe red tomatoes arranged naturally, a few sprigs of fresh green basil leaves, a small white ceramic bowl filled with granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of golden chicken broth, a small white ceramic bowl holding dark balsamic vinegar, a small white ceramic bowl of thick heavy whipping cream, a small pile of shredded Parmesan cheese all placed in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted Butter: Provides the rich base to sauté the onions and garlic, helping bring out their natural sweetness without overpowering flavors.
Yellow Onion: Adds a subtle sweetness and depth after caramelizing gently; medium sized and chopped ensures they cook nicely without chunks.
Garlic: Just the right amount of minced garlic infuses the soup with warmth and that classic savory punch.
Crushed Tomatoes: The star ingredient! Use good-quality canned crushed tomatoes for the best texture and flavor – I prefer organic brands with no added preservatives.
Granulated Sugar: Balances acidity in the tomatoes, so the soup tastes just right, not too tart or dull.
Chicken Broth: Adds a gentle savory background; you can swap it out for vegetable broth if you want it vegetarian.
Basil (Fresh or Dried): Fresh basil really brightens the soup, but dried basil can work in a pinch—you’ll just want to adjust quantities to taste.
Balsamic Vinegar (Optional): A splash adds complexity with a touch of sweetness and tang, elevating that tomato flavor even more.
Heavy Whipping Cream: This is what makes the soup luxuriously creamy and smooth—don’t skimp here for that silky texture.
Parmesan Cheese: Adds an irresistible umami richness and slight nuttiness that rounds out the soup perfectly.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love that this Creamy Tomato Basil Soup Recipe is both classic and flexible. Over time, I’ve found little tweaks that work well depending on my mood or what’s in the fridge—and you should absolutely do the same!

Variation: Sometimes, I swap the heavy cream for coconut milk to keep it dairy-free, and it turns out just as creamy with a slight coconut hint that’s fantastic.
Spicy Kick: If you like a bit of heat, adding a pinch of red pepper flakes while sautéing onions gives the soup a gentle warmth that pairs beautifully.
Herbs: Beyond basil, fresh thyme or oregano can be lovely additions for a twist in flavor.
Texture: I usually blend mine smooth, but if you prefer it chunky, feel free to skip the blending and enjoy the rustic bits of tomato and onion.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Tomato Basil Soup Recipe

Step 1: Sauté the Onions and Butter

Start by heating a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Toss in the butter and let it melt, then add your chopped onions. I cook mine for about 10 minutes, stirring often, until they’re soft and golden—not burnt—because this is where the soup’s sweetness begins. Patience here makes all the difference.

Step 2: Add Garlic and Tomatoes

Stir in the minced garlic and cook it just until you can smell that wonderful aroma—usually about 1 minute. Then pour in your crushed tomatoes with their juice, chicken broth, chopped basil, sugar, and pepper. This mix starts to smell amazing as it heats.

Step 3: Simmer to Blend Flavors

Bring everything up to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and let it simmer uncovered for 20 minutes. Stir occasionally so nothing sticks, and you’ll see the flavors marrying beautifully.

Step 4: Blend Until Smooth (Optional)

If you like that silky smooth texture, this is the perfect time for your immersion blender or high-speed blender. Since the soup’s hot, blend in small batches to avoid splatters. This step takes it from chunky to luscious.

Step 5: Stir in Cream and Parmesan

Finally, add the heavy cream and shredded Parmesan cheese directly into the pot. Stir well and let it warm through on low heat for about 5 minutes—don’t boil here, or the cream might split!

Top Tip

From my experience, a few small tricks make this Creamy Tomato Basil Soup Recipe truly shine and simplify your cooking.

Use Quality Tomatoes: I’ve learned that the type of crushed tomatoes really influences the final soup. Look for no-salt-added, vine-ripened varieties for a fresher taste.
Blend with Care: To avoid soup splatters or uneven texture, blend in small batches or use an immersion blender slowly right in the pot.
Don’t Skip the Sugar: Even though tomatoes are naturally sweet, a touch of sugar balances acidity beautifully. Trust me on this subtle but important step.
Finish with Parmesan Last: Adding it at the end preserves its flavor and texture without getting grainy.

How to Serve Creamy Tomato Basil Soup Recipe

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually top my bowls with a drizzle of extra cream, a sprinkle of Parmesan, and some torn fresh basil leaves for that final pop of color and flavor—makes it feel special every time!

Side Dishes

This soup pairs wonderfully with homemade grilled cheese sandwiches or crusty bread. My personal guilty pleasure? Warm, flaky Ham and Cheddar Cheese Scones alongside to scoop up every last bit.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, I’ve served this soup in small cups topped with a basil pesto swirl and tiny crouton stacks—it’s a hit that looks pretty and tastes even better!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover soup in airtight containers in the fridge and find it stays fresh for up to three days. Just give it a good stir before reheating to recombine the cream that may have settled.

Freezing

This soup freezes beautifully. I let it cool completely, portion it into freezer-safe containers, and thaw in the fridge overnight before gently reheating. Keep in mind cream can sometimes separate, so I stir well after warming.

Reheating

Reheat on low heat on the stove or in the microwave, stirring frequently. If it feels too thick, a splash of broth or cream helps restore that perfect creamy consistency.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?

Fresh tomatoes can be used, but you’ll want to roast or simmer them well to develop flavor and soften them before blending. Using canned crushed tomatoes is usually more convenient and consistent.

Is this recipe vegetarian or vegan?

This version uses chicken broth and heavy cream, so it’s not vegetarian or vegan. To make it vegetarian, substitute vegetable broth. For a vegan version, use plant-based cream alternatives and vegetable broth instead.

Can I prepare this soup ahead of time?

Absolutely! The soup actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen. Just store it in the fridge for up to three days and reheat gently when ready.

What’s the best way to prevent the soup from splitting after adding cream?

Keep the heat low and avoid boiling once you add the cream. Stir gently and heat just until warm to maintain that smooth, creamy texture without splitting.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Tomato Basil Soup Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen rotation — it’s my go-to when I want something comforting yet fresh and surprisingly easy. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do, and that it brings that cozy, bright satisfaction to your table, too.