Rich Italian Tomato Basil Soup
Warm your soul with this Rich Italian Tomato Basil Soup, a delightful blend of crushed tomatoes, aromatic garlic, and fresh basil, enriched with a touch of heavy cream. Perfect as a comforting meal or an elegant appetizer, this soup captures the essence of Italian cuisine. Garnished with parmesan cheese, it offers a creamy texture and vibrant flavors that are sure to impress your family and friends. Enjoy each bowlful as you transport your taste buds to the sun-soaked streets of Italy.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
olive oil
3 tablespoons (none)
onion
1/4 small (grated)
garlic cloves
4 (mashed and minced)
crushed tomatoes
28 ounces (canned)
chicken stock
1/2 cup (none)
heavy cream
1/4 cup (none)
fresh basil
2 tablespoons (chopped)
salt
to taste (none)
pepper
to taste (none)
parmesan cheese
optional (grated for topping)
Instructions
1
In a large Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the grated onion and sauté for 3-5 minutes until softened and translucent.
2
Stir in the mashed and minced garlic, cooking for an additional 30-40 seconds until fragrant.
3
Add the crushed tomatoes and chicken stock to the pot, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
4
Reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. For an even richer flavor, you can simmer for up to 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
5
Once the soup has simmered, stir in the heavy cream, allowing it to fully mix in. Then add the chopped fresh basil, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir until the basil is wilted and fragrant.
6
Ladle the soup into bowls and top with grated parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rich Italian Tomato Basil Soup?
It is a comforting, soul-warming soup made from a blend of crushed tomatoes, aromatic garlic, and fresh basil, enriched with a touch of heavy cream.
What are the primary ingredients in this soup?
The main ingredients include olive oil, grated onion, garlic cloves, canned crushed tomatoes, chicken stock, heavy cream, and fresh basil.
How should I prepare the onion for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/4 of a small onion to be grated before sautéing.
What is the best way to prepare the garlic?
You should use 4 garlic cloves that have been both mashed and minced.
How much olive oil is needed?
You will need 3 tablespoons of olive oil to sauté the aromatics.
How long should I sauté the onions?
Sauté the grated onion in olive oil for 3 to 5 minutes until it becomes softened and translucent.
How long does the garlic need to cook?
The mashed and minced garlic should be stirred in and cooked for only 30-40 seconds until it becomes fragrant.
What kind of tomatoes are used in this soup?
The recipe specifies using 28 ounces of canned crushed tomatoes.
Can I substitute the chicken stock?
Yes, while the recipe calls for 1/2 cup of chicken stock, you can substitute it with vegetable stock to make the dish strictly vegetarian.
How long should the soup simmer?
The soup should simmer uncovered for at least 30 minutes, though you can simmer it for up to 2 hours for a richer flavor.
Should the pot be covered while simmering?
No, the instructions specify letting the soup simmer uncovered to allow the flavors to meld.
When do I add the heavy cream?
Stir in the heavy cream after the soup has finished simmering.
Can I use dried basil instead of fresh?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh basil for the best flavor, but you can use dried basil if fresh is unavailable, though the taste will differ.
When is the basil added to the soup?
Add the chopped fresh basil at the very end, after the heavy cream has been mixed in.
What garnish is recommended for this tomato soup?
The soup is best topped with grated parmesan cheese before serving.
Is this recipe considered vegetarian?
The recipe is tagged as vegetarian, but note that it uses chicken stock. To ensure it is fully vegetarian, swap the chicken stock for vegetable stock.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
The specific serving count is not listed, but the recipe uses 28 ounces of tomatoes and 1/2 cup of stock, typically serving 2-4 people.
What type of pot should I use?
A large Dutch oven is recommended for heating the oil and simmering the soup.
Is this soup gluten-free?
Yes, based on the ingredients listed, this soup is naturally gluten-free.
Can I make this soup vegan?
Yes, you can make it vegan by using vegetable stock, substituting the heavy cream with a plant-based alternative like coconut milk, and omitting the parmesan cheese.
How much heavy cream is in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of heavy cream.
Do I need to blend this soup?
The instructions do not require blending, as the use of crushed tomatoes and grated onion creates a naturally thick and slightly textured consistency.
What temperature should I use for sautéing?
The olive oil and onions should be heated over medium-high heat.
Can I add salt and pepper?
Yes, salt and pepper should be added to taste once the cream and basil have been stirred in.
How do I know when the basil is ready?
Stir the basil into the soup until it is wilted and fragrant.
Can I simmer the soup for longer than 30 minutes?
Yes, for an even richer flavor, you can simmer the mixture for up to 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
What should I do if the soup is too thick?
You can add a little more chicken or vegetable stock to reach your desired consistency.
Is the onion finely chopped?
No, the onion should be grated to allow it to melt into the soup texture more easily.
What is the first step of the recipe?
The first step is to heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
How should the soup be served?
Ladle the soup into bowls while warm and top with grated parmesan cheese if desired.