Cozy Tomato Soup (Printable version)
Comforting roasted tomato soup with herbs and cream, perfect for chilly evenings.
# What you need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 2 lbs ripe tomatoes, halved
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
03 - 4 cloves garlic, peeled
04 - 1 medium carrot, peeled and sliced
→ Oils & Fats
05 - 2 tbsp olive oil
06 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
→ Liquids
07 - 3 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
08 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
→ Seasonings
09 - 1 tsp salt
10 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
11 - 1 tsp dried basil
12 - 1/2 tsp dried thyme
13 - 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
→ Garnish
14 - Fresh basil leaves
15 - Extra heavy cream for drizzling
# How to make it:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Arrange halved tomatoes, onion, garlic, and carrot on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with 1/2 tsp salt and black pepper.
03 - Roast vegetables for 25-30 minutes until tomatoes are soft and edges are caramelized.
04 - In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add roasted vegetables, dried basil, thyme, and red pepper flakes. Stir for 2 minutes to combine flavors.
05 - Pour in vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
06 - Using an immersion blender, puree the soup until completely smooth. Alternatively, transfer to a countertop blender in batches and blend carefully.
07 - Stir in heavy cream. Taste and adjust seasoning with remaining salt if needed.
08 - Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves and a swirl of cream if desired.
# Expert tips:
01 -
- The roasting step concentrates tomato flavor into something deep and almost sweet, like summer captured in a bowl
- It comes together faster than you can order takeout, but tastes like you spent all Sunday tending to it
02 -
- Hot soup expands rapidly in a blender, so never fill it more than half full and remove the center cap to let steam escape
- The soup tastes even better the next day, so consider making a double batch and keeping some for lunch tomorrow
03 -
- Canned fire roasted tomatoes work beautifully when fresh ones are out of season, and you can skip the roasting step entirely
- Coconut cream creates an unexpectedly delicious dairy free version with a subtle sweetness that complements the tomatoes