Creamy Roasted Tomato Basil (Printable)
Smooth blend of roasted tomatoes, fresh basil, and cream for a comforting, savory experience.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1.5 lbs ripe tomatoes, halved
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, peeled and quartered
03 - 4 cloves garlic, peeled
04 - 1 medium carrot, peeled and chopped
05 - 1 celery stalk, chopped
→ Seasonings
06 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
07 - 1 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
09 - 1/2 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
10 - 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
→ Liquids
11 - 3 cups vegetable broth
12 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
→ Herbs
13 - 1 cup fresh basil leaves, plus extra for garnish
14 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Set the oven temperature to 400°F.
02 - Arrange tomatoes, onion, garlic, carrot, and celery evenly on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and sugar if using.
03 - Roast the vegetables for 30 minutes until tomatoes are caramelized and other vegetables are tender.
04 - Transfer the roasted vegetables and their juices to a large pot. Add vegetable broth and dried oregano if desired. Simmer on medium heat for 10 minutes.
05 - Add fresh basil leaves and puree the mixture until smooth using an immersion blender or countertop blender in batches.
06 - Stir in heavy cream and simmer gently for 2 minutes. Adjust seasoning as needed.
07 - Ladle hot soup into bowls, garnish with extra basil leaves and a drizzle of cream if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The way roasting the tomatoes deepens their flavor feels like sharing a secret with a friend
- This soup balances fresh basil and creaminess in a way that quickly became my go-to comfort food
02 -
- Roasting the tomatoes until they are nicely caramelized is key — it transforms this soup from basic to extraordinary
- Adding basil at blending time preserves its freshness and vibrant green color, which is a game changer
03 -
- Make sure to roast your vegetables evenly spaced so they caramelize rather than steam
- Blend in batches if your blender isn't large — this ensures a creamy texture without overworking the motor