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.
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 starting going like a crazy person, loading up the cart like it 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:
- Heat olive oil in a large pot and cook onion until softened.
- Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
- 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.
- Stir in heavy cream.
- Working in batches, transfer the soup to a blender and carefully blend the soup.
- Return the blended soup to the pot and serve!
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
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
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.
Creamy Tomato Basil Soup (Using Canned Tomatoes)
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.
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!
Cindy Jones
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.
Dawn | Girl Heart Food
Thank you very much, Cindy!! Smoked paprika sounds like a yummy addition!
Marissa
This is my kind of soup! I’m imagining a steaming bowl with a grilled cheese sandwich…my kind of comfort food!
Girl Heart Food
Mine too! Now I’m hungry 😉 Thanks Marissa!
Kelly | Foodtasia
Dawn, this soup looks so delicious! Love the balsamic garnish!
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Kelly! Me too 🙂
[email protected]
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
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Annie! Have a great week too 🙂 XOXO
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking
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!
Girl Heart Food
It really is an old school classic, isn’t it?? Thanks Leanne 🙂
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
What a beautiful soup! Tomato soup is one of my favourites. Can’t wait to try this one 🙂
Girl Heart Food
Thanks Jennifer 🙂 Enjoy!
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen
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!
Girl Heart Food
Haha – that’s why we’re friends 😉 Thanks Kelsie!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop
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!
JILL
There’s nothing like a good tomato soup. So funny about your brother going crazy over canned tomato soup, lol. Great recipe!
Tisha
This is one of my favorite soups!!!! I need a bowl now!
Annissa
This soup recipe looks so creamy and comforting! Would be great paired with grilled cheese sandwich! Yum!
Chef Markus Mueller
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!