Creamy Roasted Tomato Basil Soup

Ingredients

• 3 lbs (1.3 kg) ripe Roma or vine tomatoes, halved
• 1 head garlic, top sliced off to expose cloves
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
• 2 cups (480 ml) vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves, loosely packed
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. 2

   Arrange the halved tomatoes and the head of garlic cut-side up on the baking sheet. Drizzle with 3 tablespoons of olive oil and season evenly with salt and pepper.

3. 3

   Roast in the oven for 35 to 40 minutes, until the tomatoes are caramelized around the edges and the garlic cloves are soft and golden.

4. 4

   While the tomatoes finish roasting, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 6–8 minutes until soft and translucent.

5. 5

   Squeeze the soft roasted garlic cloves out of their skin into the pot. Add the roasted tomatoes along with all accumulated pan juices, vegetable broth, and balsamic vinegar.

6. 6

   Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in the fresh basil leaves, then remove the pot from the heat.

7. 7

   Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until completely smooth and creamy. Stir in the heavy cream, season with additional salt and pepper to taste, and serve warm with crusty bread.

The Story Behind Creamy Roasted Tomato Basil Soup

Tomato soup evolved into an iconic comfort dish during the late 19th century, inspired by European tomato purées and French cream-based bisques. The technique of oven-roasting tomatoes prior to simmering stems from Mediterranean traditions that maximize the natural umami and sweetness of late-summer produce. Combined with fresh sweet basil, this dish harmonizes rich Western soup traditions with classic Italian flavor foundations.

Discover Creamy Roasted Tomato Basil Soup

Ina Garten

Ina Garten popularized roasted tomato soup for home cooks by demonstrating how slow-roasting plum tomatoes brings out their natural sugars and intensifies their savory flavor. Her approach focuses on letting high-quality roasted ingredients dictate the soup's richness rather than relying on heavy thickeners.