Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Creamy Tomato Basil Soup. Perfect for cozy evenings or as a starter for any gathering, this soup combines rich, velvety textures with the fresh flavors of basil and hidden vegetables. Enhanced by the creaminess of Parmesan cheese and half-and-half, each spoonful is a warm hug on a chilly day. Quick and easy to make, this delightful dish is packed with nutrients thanks to its blend of tomatoes, carrots, and celery. Whether enjoyed on its own or paired with crusty bread or grilled cheese, it’s sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 2 14.5 ounce cans diced tomatoes, with the juice
- 2 carrots, finely diced (about 1 cup)
- 1 small onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
- 3 ribs celery, finely diced (about 1 cup)
- 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil leaves
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1½ cups half-and-half (or whole milk)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- In a large soup pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Sauté diced carrots, onion, and celery until softened.
- Stir in canned tomatoes (with juice), tomato paste, chicken broth, oregano, and dried basil; bring to a gentle boil until vegetables are tender.
- Blend the mixture until smooth using an immersion blender or regular blender.
- In a separate pot, melt butter over medium-low heat; add flour and stir continuously for about 10 minutes until golden brown to create a roux.
- Gradually mix some soup into the roux until combined smoothly; return it to the main pot.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese, half-and-half, salt, pepper, and chopped basil; heat through and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Soup
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 45mg