The aroma of slow-roasted tomatoes and garlic wafting through the kitchen is a promise of something magical. This Homemade Roasted Tomato Basil Soup delivers just that a velvety, deeply flavorful bowl of comfort made from simple, wholesome ingredients. Whether you’re cozying up on a chilly day or seeking a nourishing meal, this soup is both satisfying and refreshingly light. Using just a handful of ingredients like ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, and creamy coconut milk or dairy cream, this dish proves that homemade doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s naturally gluten-free, easy to make vegan, and perfect for batch cooking or freezing. Pair it with a slice of crusty bread or a simple salad for a balanced, comforting meal.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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3 lbs ripe Roma or plum tomatoes, halved
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1 medium yellow onion, quartered
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6 cloves garlic, peeled
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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Salt and black pepper, to taste
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1/2 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
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1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
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1 (15 oz) can light coconut milk or heavy cream
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1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, tightly packed
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2–3 cups vegetable broth (as needed for consistency)
Directions:
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Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Spread halved tomatoes (cut side up), onion, and garlic cloves on the sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
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Roast for 35–40 minutes, until tomatoes are caramelized and slightly charred.
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Allow the roasted veggies to cool slightly. Transfer them, along with all juices, into a blender or large pot.
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Add in coconut milk (or cream), basil leaves, sugar, red pepper flakes (if using), and 2 cups of broth. Blend until smooth or use an immersion blender.
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Transfer to a pot (if using a blender) and heat over medium. Adjust thickness with more broth if needed.
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Simmer for 10–15 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
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Serve hot with a swirl of cream or a sprinkle of fresh basil.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 45 minutes | Total Time: 55 minutes
Kcal: 180 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
A Love Letter to Tomato Soup
There’s something undeniably nostalgic about a warm bowl of tomato soup. For many, it brings back memories of rainy afternoons, cozy kitchens, and simple pleasures maybe even paired with a golden, crispy grilled cheese sandwich. Tomato soup is a culinary staple across cultures and generations, but when you take the extra step of roasting the tomatoes, the flavors intensify and evolve into something deeper, smokier, and richer.
This Homemade Roasted Tomato Basil Soup is a celebration of simplicity and flavor. It’s a dish that uses minimal ingredients but delivers maximum satisfaction. Perfect for meal prep, quick weeknight dinners, or impressing guests with something hearty and homemade, this soup belongs in every cook’s rotation.
Why Roast the Tomatoes?
The beauty of this recipe lies in its roasting process. Roasting tomatoes especially ripe Roma or plum tomatoes caramelizes their natural sugars, concentrates their flavor, and adds a depth that canned or stovetop-simmered tomatoes can’t match.
Alongside the tomatoes, garlic cloves and onions roast to perfection, bringing sweetness and complexity to the final blend. Garlic, when roasted, becomes buttery and mild, shedding its harsh bite and transforming into something almost candy-like. The onions, meanwhile, lend an earthy base that anchors the acidity of the tomatoes.
This process might add a little extra time to your recipe, but it’s time well spent. Roasting is the secret step that elevates this soup from good to unforgettable.
The Power of Basil
While tomatoes carry the weight of the flavor, fresh basil is the soulful accent in this soup. Basil and tomato are culinary soulmates it’s a pairing that’s stood the test of time, especially in Mediterranean cuisine. The herb adds brightness, a subtle peppery note, and a vibrant green contrast to the rich red base of the soup.
Using fresh basil instead of dried is crucial in this recipe. The flavor is cleaner and more aromatic, especially when blended just before serving. It’s like adding a layer of sunshine to an already glowing bowl of soup.
Making It Creamy — Without the Dairy (Or With It!)
One of the most versatile parts of this recipe is how it achieves its creamy texture. For a dairy-free or vegan option, light coconut milk works wonders. It adds body and a hint of sweetness without overpowering the natural tomato flavor. Don’t worry the coconut flavor is subtle and plays nicely with the rest of the ingredients.
If you’re not avoiding dairy, heavy cream is a luscious alternative that gives the soup a rich, velvety consistency. It’s perfect for those days when you want something extra indulgent.
Whether you go plant-based or classic, the result is a soup that’s smooth, sippable, and deeply satisfying.
Nutrition Highlights
This soup isn’t just cozy; it’s also incredibly nourishing. Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant linked to heart health and cancer prevention. Roasting them doesn’t just enhance their flavor it may actually make their lycopene more bioavailable.
The garlic and onions bring immune-boosting properties to the table, while basil contributes anti-inflammatory compounds and essential nutrients like vitamin K and manganese.
Using coconut milk keeps the dish light and digestible, while making it suitable for a variety of dietary lifestyles, including vegan, gluten-free, and paleo. A single bowl offers fiber, vitamins, and a low-calorie count, especially when compared to cream-heavy versions found in restaurants or stores.
Pair it with a slice of whole grain or sourdough bread, and you have a meal that’s as balanced as it is comforting.
Perfect Pairings
Tomato soup is often served with a sandwich or salad, but there are endless ways to turn this dish into a complete dining experience. Here are a few ideas:
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Grilled Cheese: A classic. Try using sharp cheddar or mozzarella on sourdough or rye for a contrast in textures and flavors.
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Garlic Bread: Crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, perfect for dipping.
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Chickpea Salad: For a lighter pairing, a tangy chickpea salad with lemon and herbs makes a great side.
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Stuffed Avocados or Deviled Eggs: Add a creamy element to the plate without going too heavy.
Want to make it fancy? Top the soup with a swirl of herb oil, a dollop of coconut cream, toasted pine nuts, or even crispy chickpeas for texture.
How to Store and Reheat
One of the best parts of this soup is how well it stores. Make a big batch and enjoy it throughout the week. Here’s how:
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Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
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Freezer: Freeze in individual portions for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely before freezing.
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Reheat: Warm gently on the stove over low-medium heat or microwave in short intervals, stirring in between.
Pro tip: If the soup thickens too much after storing, just add a splash of broth or water to bring it back to life.
Customizations and Variations
This recipe is incredibly flexible. Once you’ve mastered the base, you can start experimenting with add-ins and variations:
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Spicy Kick: Add extra red pepper flakes or a roasted jalapeño to the blender.
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Protein Boost: Add white beans or lentils before blending for a creamy texture and extra nutrition.
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Herb Swap: Use fresh oregano or thyme for a different aromatic profile.
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Umami Richness: A splash of soy sauce, Worcestershire, or even miso paste can deepen the flavor.
You can even turn it into a tomato-based pasta sauce by reducing the broth and blending to a thicker consistency. The possibilities are truly endless.
A Soup for All Seasons
Though often associated with fall and winter, this soup is wonderful year-round. In spring, it makes a light yet flavorful lunch. In summer, when tomatoes are at their ripest, the flavor peaks. Even chilled, it makes a refreshing gazpacho-style dish if blended with a little less broth.
And during colder months? It’s a soul-soothing cure for the winter blues.
Conclusion:
Homemade Roasted Tomato Basil Soup is more than a dish it’s a ritual of slowing down, savoring the moment, and reconnecting with wholesome ingredients. It’s what happens when simple, quality produce is treated with care and attention.
This recipe proves that you don’t need complicated techniques or long ingredient lists to create something extraordinary. It’s warm, flavorful, easy to prepare, and adaptable to almost any dietary preference.
Whether you’re cooking for yourself, feeding your family, or entertaining guests, this soup offers comfort in every spoonful. It’s a celebration of fresh produce, minimalism, and timeless flavor one bowl at a time.