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Home » light meals, salads & soups » easy tomato & basil soup

easy tomato & basil soup

8 September, 2020

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Easy tomato & basil soup is a great fresh tasting soup. Using the sweetest fresh tomatoes and flavoured with just a hint of onion, garlic and basil.

This tomato and basil soup recipe is a favourite in our house. Homemade tomato and basil soup is simple to make, cooks quickly and is full of fresh tasting flavours.

One of my favourite food pairings is tomato and basil. Tomatoes are a food that I love to eat in pretty much any shape and form.

My kitchen counter is never without a large bowl of tomatoes, which the children and I help ourselves from regularly during the day.

I love tomatoes in all their glorious forms, regardless of shape, size or colour. During the summer months I have a regular fortnightly order from The Tomato Stall for a large mixed box of their heritage tomatoes. The taste and variety of these tomatoes are exceptional!

Most of my tomatoes are used fresh, in salads or, as I mention above, eaten straight from the box.

However, I do like to cook with them. When tomatoes start to soften a bit, I like to use them in soups, stews and pasta sauces. This tomato and basil soup is a firm favourite with my family!

Healthy tomato and basil soup!

This healthy tomato and basil soup is also good for you! Packed full of healthy fruits, vegetables and herbs that have so much flavour there’s no need for cream!

How to prepare and peel tomatoes?

Peeling tomatoes for this homemade tomato and basil soup is a fairly quick and simple job. However, it is really important to get the most of our the tomatoes.

Once peeled discard the outer skin of the tomato, placing it into a sieve for later. Then simply cut the fruit into quarters.

You then cut away the seeds and core to leave the outer flesh of the tomato.

Do not throw away the seeds and core as they are full of deliciously tomato flavoured juices. Instead pop the seeds and core into the sieve, along with the tomato skins, and place the sieve over a bowl.

Using the back of a metal spoon, press down the seeds and core, this will release lots of juices that can be added to the soup. Or, if not making soup, frozen and used at a later date!

Some photo steps to help with the tomato peeling process!

A selection of fresh red and yellow tomatoes with the bottoms sliced slightly to prepare for skinning.
Cut a cross at the base of your tomatoes with a sharp knife and cover with boiling water. Allow the tomatoes to sit for 10 to 15 minutes in the hot water.
Fresh tomatoes skins blanched and being removed.
After 10 minutes or so, drain the water off the tomatoes and gently pull the skin off the tomatoes, it should slip off really easily.

Tomato & basil soup recipe steps:

Fresh tomatoes being sieved through a fine strainer to collect the fresh juice.
Once the tomatoes have been peeled, remove the core and seeds and place them in a sieve place over a bowl. Using a metal spoon, push the seeds and pulp to extract as much of the tomato juice as possible. There is a lot of juice to extract from the seeds and core and you don’t want to waste a drop!
Fresh chopped tomatoes.
Take the tomato flesh and roughly chop it up into smaller 1cm pieces and set aside for later.
Diced onions and garlic sweating off in a bit of oil in a hot fry pan.
Saute the chopped onion over a medium heat for 5 minutes to soften, but not colour the onion. Add the garlic and cook for a further minute.
A hand adding fresh tomato juice to a pan with simmering onions and garlic.
Now add the tomato passata and sieved tomato juice to the onions.
Adding the chopped pulp of tomatoes to the pan after adding the tomato juice.
Along with the chopped up tomato flesh.
A hand pouring vegetable stock to a pan of simmering onions and tomato juice.
Now add the vegetable stock, sugar and season well with salt and pepper. Cook over a medium heat for 10 minutes.
Fresh chopped basil.
Finally add the basil, check the seasoning and serve.

How to use up a glut of tomatoes?

This healthy tomato and basil soup is great for anyone with a greenhouse and grows their own tomatoes. As anyone who grows their own fruit and vegetables will know there are always times when you have a glut of produce.

I hate to see anything go to waste and I think that is when soups and pasta sauces really come into their own! With just a few simple ingredients added to the tomatoes, you can prolong their use.

This homemade tomato and basil soup is not only simple to make but has a lovely light freshness. This soup is not heavy, containing few calories this soup is great for anyone trying to lighten their food intake.

If you would prefer a completely smooth soup, once cooked, blitz with a stick blender to achieve a silky consistency.

I simply love the combination of flavours in this tomato and basil soup. In fact I enjoy tomato with basil in pretty much any shape or form.

Cut up some tomatoes, tear some basil leaves and drizzle with olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt and that’s simple salad perfection for me.

Other flavour combinations:

However, if you wish to add other flavours to this soup then a couple of fresh de-seeded red chillies could be added along with the garlic. This will add a nice chilli heat to the soup, whilst still keeping it’s fresh flavours.

Use the basic tomato soup as a base for adding in other vegetables and flavours. You could add other vegetables, like courgettes and peppers to increase your 5-a-day. Simply add them at the same time as the onion (recipe step 4) to soften before adding in the remaining ingredients.

You can also add alternative flavour with herbs, try adding thyme or parsley in place of the fresh basil.

Can you freeze this soup?

This soup is really easy to freeze. Simply cook the soup as per the recipe card. Allow it to cool completely, before placing in containers suitable for the freezer.

When ready to eat remove the tub of tomato and basil soup from the freezer and defrost thoroughly. Heat up and serve when you are ready to enjoy.

I always like to keep a stock of homemade soups and sauces in the freezer. Ready to use when you want something quick and tasty but don’t have time to cook!

Pin the recipe:

Additional recipe suggestions:

If you like this recipe then try some of our other vegetable based soups!

  • Creamy Tomato Soup
  • Courgette & Sweet Pepper Soup
  • Leek & Barley Broth
  • Spicy Bean Soup
  • French Onion Soup
  • Garlic Soup
  • Curried Vegetable & Chickpea Soup

For some great hints and tips on how to make a great bowl of soup, have a read of our 20 Simple Soup Recipes post. This features some delicious soup recipes for you to try!

A bowl of fresh tomato & basil soup served with crusty toasted bread, topped with basil leaves and a wooden handle spoon inside the rustic bowl and fresh tomatoes to the back.

Tomato & Basil Soup

Tomato & basil soup is a great fresh tasting soup. Using the sweetest fresh tomatoes and flavoured with just a hint of onion, garlic and basil.
5 from 12 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 108kcal
Author: Lesley Garden

Ingredients

  • 800 g tomatoes (peeled and de-seeded)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 large onion (finely diced)
  • 3 cloves of garlic (crushed)
  • 500 g tomato passata
  • 400 ml vegetable stock
  • large handful of fresh basil (shredded)
  • 1 tsp caster sugar
  • salt & pepper

Instructions

  • Peel and de-seed the tomatoes, discard the tomato skin.
  • Chop up the tomatoes placing the flesh onto a chopping board. Cut the flesh into small 1cm chunks.
  • Place the seeds and core of the tomatoes into a fine sieve and place the sieve over a bowl. Using a spoon, press the tomato seeds and core to extract as much juice from the tomatoes as possible. Set the juice aside for later and discard the seeds.
  • In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over a medium heat. Add the onion to the pan and cook gently for 5 minutes, taking care to cook, but not colour the onion. Add the crushed garlic to the pan and cook for a further minute.
  • Add the chopped tomatoes, tomato juice, tomato passata, vegetable stock and sugar to the pan and cook over a medium heat for 10 minutes.
  • Season the soup with salt and pepper and check for taste. Now add the shredded basil to the soup, stir through and serve.
Nutrition Facts
Tomato & Basil Soup
Amount Per Serving
Calories 108 Calories from Fat 45
% Daily Value*
Fat 5g8%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Sodium 384mg17%
Potassium 593mg17%
Carbohydrates 15g5%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 9g10%
Protein 3g6%
Vitamin A 1432IU29%
Vitamin C 28mg34%
Calcium 49mg5%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

• Please note that the nutrition information provided above is approximate and meant as a guideline only •

Course : Canape, Starter, Side, Lunch, Soup
Cuisine : Italian
Keyword : Simple, vegan, vegetarian
Tried this recipe? We’d love to see your photos!Mention @lostinf00d or tag #lostinfood!
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Tagged With: dairyfree, glutenfree, simple, soup, vegan, vegetarian 22 Comments

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Eb Gargano | Easy Peasy Foodie

    14 September, 2020 at 12:37

    5 stars
    A classic for a reason – that tomato and basil combo never fails. I sometimes like to add cannellini beans to my tomato and basil soup for extra interest and protein 😀 Eb x

    Reply
    • Lesley

      14 September, 2020 at 14:43

      I love that idea Eb, I’m a great fan of adding pulses to soup to make it more of a meal. Lesley x

      Reply
  2. Chloe Edges

    13 September, 2020 at 20:55

    5 stars
    Sounds delish and I love that you kept it chunky. Despite my aversion to tomato sauces in general, I do actually really like a good tomato soup!

    Reply
    • Lesley

      14 September, 2020 at 14:43

      Thank you Chloe, I do like texture to my soups and I want to taste the fresh tomatoes. I agree – I love a good tomato soup. Lesley

      Reply
  3. Cat | Curly's Cooking

    13 September, 2020 at 19:54

    5 stars
    Tomato and basil soup is something I haven’t quite mastered yet so I will definitely be making this! I don’t buy soup so all soup is homemade and I like to have a supply in the freezer. This looks perfect. x

    Reply
    • Lesley

      14 September, 2020 at 14:31

      Thank you Cat, we’re the same, soup is always homemade and my freezer is always packed so I’m never without. Lesley x

      Reply
  4. Joanna

    11 September, 2020 at 12:56

    5 stars
    This looks such a warming and flavourful soup. I love the look of the heritage tomatoes that you are using – I bet they taste delicious!

    Reply
    • Lesley

      14 September, 2020 at 14:30

      Thank you Joanna, I have to say it’s a lovely bowl of soup and the heritage tomatoes are perfection. I order a large box for delivery every fortnight over the Summer months as my family all love eating tomatoes. Lesley

      Reply
  5. Kat (The Baking Explorer)

    11 September, 2020 at 09:09

    5 stars
    You can never go wrong with tomato soup!

    Reply
    • Lesley

      11 September, 2020 at 10:01

      Thank you Kat, it is a great soup. Lesley

      Reply
  6. Sarah Holt

    10 September, 2020 at 13:36

    5 stars
    This soup sounds so good and fresh, love a cozy bowl of tomato soup!

    Reply
    • Lesley

      11 September, 2020 at 09:56

      Thank you Sarah, me too, I love soup any time of the year. Lesley

      Reply
  7. Helen - Cooking with my kids

    10 September, 2020 at 10:52

    5 stars
    This looks like a delicious hearty soup – perfect for this time of year.

    Reply
    • Lesley

      11 September, 2020 at 09:55

      Thank you Helen, it’s a lovely bowl of soup. Lesley

      Reply
  8. Janice Pattie

    9 September, 2020 at 18:06

    5 stars
    What a wonderful soup! All those juicy fresh tomatoes totally enhanced by the basil. It’s a labour of love but so worth it.

    Reply
    • Lesley

      11 September, 2020 at 09:52

      Thank you Janice, I love tomatoes, as do all my family so this is a soup I make often. Lesley x

      Reply
  9. Melissa Altman-Traub

    9 September, 2020 at 13:27

    5 stars
    This looks very easy and is a great way to use fresh tomatoes at this time of year. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Lesley

      11 September, 2020 at 09:44

      Thank you Melissa, you can’t beat a fresh tomato soup. Lesley

      Reply
  10. Veronica

    9 September, 2020 at 07:43

    5 stars
    That looks lovely – tomato soup is one of my all time favourites !

    Reply
    • Lesley

      11 September, 2020 at 09:37

      Thank you Veronica, tomato soup is a favourite in my house too. Lesley

      Reply
  11. Donna

    9 September, 2020 at 06:20

    5 stars
    My favourite thing about this time of the year is probably making homemade soup all the time! I love it! Tomato and basil is a classic, and yours looks lovely.

    Reply
    • Lesley

      11 September, 2020 at 09:34

      Thank you Donna, we are most definitely back into the soup making seasons. I always like to make extra so I have a supply in the freezer. Lesley

      Reply

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