• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Girl Heart Food®
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Soup and Stew Recipes

    Creamy Tomato Basil Soup (Using Canned Tomatoes)

    Published: November 22, 2018 Updated: January 14, 2022 / By: Dawn | Girl Heart Food 23 Comments

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Email
    Jump to Recipe
    Bowl of creamy tomato basil soup garnished with cheese, red pepper flakes and basil.

    This creamy tomato basil soup is made with some simple ingredients, is easy to prepare and tastes incredibly delicious! It has a rich tomato flavour along with hints of basil. Canned tomato soup is such a classic and just perfect for a comforting lunch or dinner.

    Bowl of creamy tomato basil soup garnished with cheese, red pepper flakes and basil.

    Wondering what to have for lunch? I know I always am, along with breakfast, dinner and snacks in between. What can I say? I love food!

    Seriously, though, you could satisfy that little hunger bug by whipping up a batch of this creamy tomato soup in very little time with some super simple ingredients. And, let’s be honest here, is there anything better than a comforting bowl of homemade tomato soup on a cold day? Not for me, there isn’t!

    The base of this homemade tomato soup is canned tomatoes. Sometimes canned or frozen products can get a bad rap. But if you buy a quality brand, it’s all good if you ask me!

    Since tomato is the predominant flavour here, you don’t want to cheap out and buy just any type of canned tomatoes. Go for a good quality brand (and the whole variety), then blend them up yourself.

    Years ago, my younger brother and I lived together while going to university. Of course, being students, we were mindful of our budget when we went grocery shopping. 

    I remember him being so excited when he spotted cans of concentrated tomato soup on sale for, like, $0.29 per can. He started loading up the cart like there was no tomorrow. I’m sure he picked up a couple dozen cans. Yeah, that much. 

    I still tease him to this day whenever I see tomato soup on sale in a flyer. I’ll usually take a picture and text it to him, just for a laugh. It’s one of those memories that sticks with me and makes me chuckle when I think about it.

    So, this creamy tomato basil soup may not be quite as inexpensive as that concentrated tomato soup variety, but it tastes so much better.

    Canned Tomato Soup Ingredients

    • Olive oil
    • Yellow onion
    • Garlic
    • Canned tomatoes
    • Broth
    • Sugar
    • Dried and fresh basil
    • Salt
    • Black pepper
    • Crushed red pepper flakes
    • Heavy cream

    How To Make It

    Full details are in the recipe card below, but here are the basics:

    1. Heat olive oil in a large pot and cook onion until softened.
    2. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
    3. Stir in tomatoes, broth, sugar, dried basil, fresh basil, salt, black pepper and crushed red pepper flakes, then cook to allow the flavours to come together.
    4. Stir in heavy cream.
    5. Working in batches, transfer the soup to a blender and carefully blend the soup.
    6. Return the blended soup to the pot and serve!
    Collage of steps to make canned tomato soup.
    Pot of homemade tomato soup with a ladle resting in the soup.
    Two bowls of creamy tomato basil soup garnished with cheese and basil.

    Tomato Soup Garnish Ideas

    Of course, this canned tomato soup recipe is totally delicious on its own, but if you want to gild the lily here, go for it!

    Some garnish ideas are:

    • Olive oil
    • Fresh basil
    • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (or goat cheese or crumbled feta for something a little different)
    • Drizzle of balsamic reduction
    • Drizzle of cream
    • Crushed red pepper flakes
    • Croutons
    Hand holding a bowl of creamy tomato basil soup garnished with cheese, red pepper flakes and basil.

    What To Serve With Tomato Soup

    • A sandwich, like a grilled cheese sandwich (my favourite!), BLT sandwich, or veggie sandwich
    • Green salad
    • Mozzarella sticks
    • Quesadillas
    • Flatbread pizza
    Hand holding a spoon, scooping up some creamy tomato basil soup from a bowl.

    More Easy Soup Recipes

    • Celery Root Soup
    • Homemade Chicken Soup With Spinach
    • Easy Tomato Tortellini Soup
    • Or check out these 20 soup and sandwich recipes

    If you make this canned tomato soup, be sure to leave a comment below!

    This recipe for creamy tomato basil soup was originally published November 22, 2018 but has been updated.

    Bowl of creamy tomato basil soup garnished with cheese, red pepper flakes and basil.

    Creamy Tomato Basil Soup (Using Canned Tomatoes)

    Dawn | Girl Heart Food
    This creamy tomato basil soup is made with some simple ingredients, is easy to prepare and tastes incredibly delicious! It has a rich tomato flavour along with hints of basil. Canned tomato soup is such a classic and just perfect for a comforting lunch or dinner.
    5 from 11 votes
    Print Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 25 mins
    Course Lunch, Main Course, Soup
    Servings 4 servings
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
     

    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 large yellow onion, peeled and thinly sliced
    • 5 cloves garlic, minced
    • 2 (28-ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes
    • 1 cup low sodium vegetable broth, or low sodium chicken broth
    • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
    • 2.5 teaspoons dried basil
    • 8 to 10 fresh basil leaves
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
    • ½ to ¾ cup heavy cream (whipping cream), depending on how creamy you want things

    Garnish Ideas (optional)

    • Fresh basil
    • Olive oil
    • Grated Parmesan cheese
    • Balsamic vinegar or balsamic reduction
    • Croutons
    • Crushed red pepper flakes

    Instructions

    • Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
    • Add onion and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
    • Add tomatoes, vegetable broth, sugar, dried basil, fresh basil, salt, black pepper and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Stir, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat (to about medium-low heat) to a simmer. Cover with lid slightly ajar and cook for 10 minutes.
      Note: If you don't have fresh basil, add in another ½ teaspoon of dried basil instead.
    • Stir in heavy cream.
    • Working in batches, transfer the soup to a blender and carefully blend the soup until it's smooth and creamy. Return the blended soup to the pot.
      Note: Alternatively, use an immersion blender to blend the soup.
    • To serve, divide the soup into bowls and garnish to taste (if desired) with any of the garnish ideas. Enjoy! Yields 4 larger bowls or 6 to 8 side servings.
      Note: Canned tomatoes can vary greatly from brand to brand. If you need to add a little more sugar (to balance the acidity of the tomatoes) or salt to taste, go for it!

    A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.

    Keyword canned tomato soup, creamy tomato soup, easy tomato soup recipe, quick tomato soup, tinned tomato soup

    Tried this recipe?

    If you do make this recipe, thank you!! It would mean so much if you could leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed it, and it helps other readers too!

    More Soup and Stew Recipes

    • Cheeseburger Soup in a Bread Bowl
    • Easy Mushroom Soup Recipe
    • Green Lentil Soup With Coconut Milk and Veggies
    • Chunky Vegetable Soup (With Roasted Root Veggies)

    © Girl Heart Food Inc. All photographs and content are COPYRIGHT PROTECTED.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jeanne

      January 12, 2023 at 7:50 pm

      5 stars
      I got an immersion blender for Christmas and wanted to make tomato soup. Just made this soup and I loved loved loved it. My husband said it was a little thick for him so next time I’ll add some extra heated broth to his bowl. It was perfect to me.

      Reply
      • Dawn | Girl Heart Food

        January 12, 2023 at 7:55 pm

        That’s wonderful, so happy you enjoyed the recipe, Jeanne!! Thank you very much!!

        Reply
    2. Jenny Brunner

      December 30, 2022 at 7:23 pm

      Just made it- absolutely delicious!

      Reply
      • Dawn | Girl Heart Food

        January 04, 2023 at 5:47 pm

        Thank you very much, Jenny! I’m happy you enjoyed the recipe!

        Reply
    3. Cindy Jones

      January 11, 2022 at 4:18 pm

      I just made this for lunch. It was so delicious. I will make this again and again. I added a 1/4 tsp of smoked paprika and garnished with Parmesan and fresh basil. I can’t wait for leftovers.

      Reply
      • Dawn | Girl Heart Food

        January 11, 2022 at 5:20 pm

        Thank you very much, Cindy!! Smoked paprika sounds like a yummy addition!

        Reply
    4. Marissa

      November 28, 2018 at 9:13 pm

      5 stars
      This is my kind of soup! I’m imagining a steaming bowl with a grilled cheese sandwich…my kind of comfort food!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        November 29, 2018 at 9:45 am

        Mine too! Now I’m hungry 😉 Thanks Marissa!

        Reply
    5. Kelly | Foodtasia

      November 26, 2018 at 10:34 pm

      Dawn, this soup looks so delicious! Love the balsamic garnish!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        November 27, 2018 at 1:11 pm

        Thank you Kelly! Me too 🙂

        Reply
    6. [email protected]

      November 26, 2018 at 10:22 am

      5 stars
      One of my favorites! I can’t get over that luxurious color! This was a go-to with grilled cheese, of course, in my younger days…need to make that combo happen soon! Have a great week, my friend! XOXO

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        November 27, 2018 at 1:09 pm

        Thank you Annie! Have a great week too 🙂 XOXO

        Reply
    7. Leanne | Crumb Top Baking

      November 26, 2018 at 9:13 am

      5 stars
      Tomato soup takes me back to my childhood. The canned variety was a staple in our house, and there was nothing better than a bowl of tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich! I haven’t bought a can of tomato soup in years, and usually make my own now when I have the craving. I use canned tomatoes as well, but didn’t know that whole ones were better quality. I’ll have to remember that the next time I make it! Thanks for sharing Dawn!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        November 27, 2018 at 1:03 pm

        It really is an old school classic, isn’t it?? Thanks Leanne 🙂

        Reply
    8. Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers

      November 24, 2018 at 11:06 am

      5 stars
      What a beautiful soup! Tomato soup is one of my favourites. Can’t wait to try this one 🙂

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        November 27, 2018 at 1:02 pm

        Thanks Jennifer 🙂 Enjoy!

        Reply
    9. Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen

      November 23, 2018 at 9:34 pm

      5 stars
      To me, the balsamic reduction is NOT optional! Is there anything that doesn’t benefit from a little hit of vinegar? This soup sounds fabulous and I could go for a huge bowl right now–despite the fact that I’m still full from yesterday :). Have a great weekend, Dawn!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        November 27, 2018 at 1:02 pm

        Haha – that’s why we’re friends 😉 Thanks Kelsie!

        Reply
    10. Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop

      November 23, 2018 at 12:22 pm

      5 stars
      Homemade tomato soup is the best! I love how you’ve transformed a few simple ingredients into a wonderful soup. This would be perfect for lunch or a light dinner!

      Reply
    11. JILL

      November 23, 2018 at 12:17 am

      5 stars
      There’s nothing like a good tomato soup. So funny about your brother going crazy over canned tomato soup, lol. Great recipe!

      Reply
    12. Tisha

      November 22, 2018 at 3:44 pm

      5 stars
      This is one of my favorite soups!!!! I need a bowl now!

      Reply
    13. Annissa

      November 22, 2018 at 1:26 pm

      5 stars
      This soup recipe looks so creamy and comforting! Would be great paired with grilled cheese sandwich! Yum!

      Reply
    14. Chef Markus Mueller

      November 22, 2018 at 12:13 pm

      It is SOOO frigid here in PEI that. I’m going make a batch of tomato soup to help warm up! Paired with a good old fashioned grilled cheese its my daughters favorite!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Profile picture of Dawn from Girl Heart Food.

    Hi, I'm Dawn! Welcome to Girl Heart Food, a food blog that's all about easy comfort food recipes (especially cheesy recipes) that'll satisfy your taste buds and make your belly happy. Have a look around and find something that'll inspire you to get into the kitchen and whip up something delicious to enjoy today!

    More about Girl Heart Food →

    Currently Trending

    • Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas
    • Old-Fashioned Cabbage Rolls (Inspired by Nan)
    • Buttermilk Fried Crispy Chicken Burger
    • Pan Fried Smelt Recipe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use

    Newsletter

    • Sign up for emails & updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    Copyright © 2023 Girl Heart Food Inc.

    Girl Heart Food® is a Registered Trademark.

    Use of this site constitutes acceptance of its Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.